Transport Canada RPAS Regulations: Advanced FPV Operations Guide 2026
Transport Canada has implemented one of North America’s most structured drone regulatory frameworks under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part IX — Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. For FPV drone pilots in Canada, understanding the distinction between Basic and Advanced operations, the mandatory pilot certification system, and the specific restrictions on first-person-view flying is essential for legal and safe operation. This guide covers all RPAS regulations relevant to Canadian FPV pilots in 2026.
CARs Part IX: The Canadian RPAS Framework
Canadian Aviation Regulations Part IX (CAR 901-938) came into force on June 1, 2019, and applies to all Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) weighing between 250 grams and 25 kilograms. According to Transport Canada’s Drone Safety Portal, the framework establishes two tiers of pilot certification — Basic and Advanced — each with distinct privileges and operational limitations.
Basic vs Advanced Operations
Understanding which certification your FPV activities fall under is the first step to compliance:
Basic Operations (Standard FPV Flying)
Basic operations cover most recreational FPV flying. Requirements include:
- Pilot Certificate — Basic Operations: Pass the online Small Basic Exam ($10 fee through a Transport Canada-approved flight school or direct through TC’s portal)
- Register your drone: All RPAS between 250g and 25kg must be registered ($5 fee, valid for two years)
- Mark registration number: Display your registration number on the drone in a visible and accessible location
- Age requirement: Minimum 14 years old for Basic certificate holders
- Operational limits: Fly in uncontrolled airspace only, maintain visual line of sight, stay below 400 ft AGL, and keep at least 30 meters horizontally from bystanders
Advanced Operations (BVLOS, Controlled Airspace, Over People)
Advanced operations permit flight in controlled airspace, over bystanders, and closer to airports — all potentially relevant for organized FPV racing events. Requirements include:
- Pilot Certificate — Advanced Operations: Pass the in-person Advanced Exam ($25) at a Transport Canada testing center plus a Flight Review with a TC-approved reviewer
- RPAS manufacturer declaration: The drone must meet the applicable safety assurance standard (RPAS Safety Assurance — Standard 922)
- Airspace authorization: NAV Canada RPAS Flight Authorization for operations in controlled airspace
According to Transport Canada’s Flight School Directory, Advanced certification requires both the written exam (minimum 80% pass mark) and a practical flight review demonstrating competency in all required maneuvers.
FPV-Specific Rules: The Visual Observer Requirement
CAR 901.20 explicitly addresses first-person view operations. According to CAR 901.20(1), no pilot shall operate an RPAS using a first-person view device unless:
- A visual observer is present and maintains unaided visual contact with the aircraft
- The visual observer is positioned near enough to the pilot to communicate without technological assistance
- The visual observer is capable of maintaining visual line of sight at all times
This observer requirement applies to both Basic and Advanced operations and to all weight classes over 250g. Importantly, the observer does not need to hold a pilot certificate — but they must be competent to perform their duties.
Sub-250g RPAS (Micro Drones)
RPAS weighing less than 250 grams are exempt from most Part IX requirements, including pilot certification and aircraft registration. However, Transport Canada emphasizes that all sections of the Criminal Code and provincial privacy laws still apply to micro drones. CAR 900.06 — the “don’t do anything reckless” provision — applies universally. According to Transport Canada’s Micro Drone Guidance, sub-250g pilots must never fly in a manner that endangers aviation safety or people.
Canadian Airspace and Flight Restrictions
Transport Canada provides the National Research Council Drone Site Selection Tool, an interactive map showing:
- Class F restricted airspace (absolute no-fly zones)
- Controlled airspace (Classes A-E, requires Advanced certification and NAV Canada authorization)
- National parks (Parks Canada has a blanket ban on drone takeoff and landing)
- Provincial parks (vary by province — Ontario and Quebec generally prohibit, British Columbia allows with permits)
- Forest fire zones (automatic 5 NM radius restrictions during active fires)
- Airports, aerodromes, and heliports (specific distance requirements depending on aerodrome type)
Privacy and Trespass Laws: The FPV Pilot’s Responsibility
Beyond aviation regulations, Canadian FPV pilots must comply with federal and provincial privacy laws. The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and provincial equivalents govern the collection of personal information through drone cameras. Additionally, provincial trespass acts in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec specifically address “aerial trespass,” and pilot liability for flying over private property without permission can extend beyond aviation penalties.
Under CAR 901.48, the pilot must not create a hazard to other aircraft, people, or property. This broad provision has been used by Transport Canada to penalize reckless FPV flying that does not technically violate any other specific regulation.
SFOC Requirements for Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight FPV
Long-range FPV flights — a popular discipline in the FPV community — inherently involve beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. In Canada, any BVLOS operation requires a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) issued by Transport Canada, regardless of the pilot’s Basic or Advanced certification status. SFOC applications under CAR 903.01 require:
- Detailed risk assessment and mitigation plan
- Equipment specifications and redundancy documentation
- Insurance coverage details
- Operational procedures and emergency protocols
- Pilot qualifications and experience log
SFOC processing typically takes 30 business days, and applications for recreational BVLOS are rarely approved without compelling justification and robust safety measures.
Penalties and Enforcement
Transport Canada has authority to issue fines of up to $3,000 for individuals and $15,000 for corporations per violation under CAR 103.08. More serious violations can result in summary conviction and fines up to $25,000. As of 2026, Transport Canada has increased enforcement resources significantly, with dedicated RPAS inspectors conducting random field checks in popular flying locations.
Key Takeaways for Canadian FPV Pilots
- Get certified: Pilot Certificate — Basic ($10 online exam) minimum for drones over 250g
- Register your drone: $5 per two years, display the number visibly
- Always use a visual observer for FPV goggle flights — no exceptions
- Sub-250g has fewer rules but still bound by Criminal Code and the “don’t be reckless” rule
- Use the NRC Drone Tool before every session to verify airspace status
- BVLOS requires an SFOC — long-range FPV is regulated differently
- Respect privacy and trespass laws — aviation rules are not your only concern
Sources: Transport Canada — Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433) Part IX, Transport Canada Drone Safety Portal, NAV Canada RPAS Flight Authorization, NRC Drone Site Selection Tool, Criminal Code of Canada (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46). Last updated June 2026.