Drone Flight Review in Canada: What to Expect and How to Pass

The flight review is the practical half of the Advanced drone pilot certificate. A Transport Canada-recognized flight reviewer watches you plan, fly and handle problems. It’s less about fancy stick skills and more about showing that you fly methodically and safely.

Before you book

• Pass the online Advanced exam first.
• Choose a flight reviewer and confirm the location, date and fee (reviewers set their own prices).
• Use a registered and marked drone you know well.
• Ask the reviewer which exercises and site conditions to expect.

What to bring

1. Government-issued photo ID.
2. Proof of your exam result and your existing pilot certificate if you have one.
3. Your drone’s certificate of registration.
4. Fully charged batteries (plus spares), controller and display device.
5. Your written checklists: pre-flight, normal procedures and emergency procedures.
6. A completed site survey for the review location.

What the reviewer typically assesses

Practice plan (two weeks)

1. Fly without GPS assistance (in a safe, open area) if your drone allows an attitude mode. Reviewers may ask you to show control without position hold.
2. Practise precise patterns: squares, figure-eights and orbits at constant altitude.
3. Rehearse emergencies out loud: what you do and say if the video feed drops, the battery hits critical or a person walks into the area.
4. Run a full site survey for your practice location and write it down — see how to do a site survey.
5. Time your routine so checklists become automatic.

Common reasons candidates fail

• Skipping or rushing the checklist.
• Not checking the airspace or permissions for the review site.
• Losing orientation when the drone faces you.
• Unclear emergency responses.
• Flying too close to people or obstacles.

After the review

If you pass, apply for your Advanced certificate in the Drone Management Portal. If you don’t, ask for specific feedback, practise those items and book again after the waiting period. Remember that a successful flight review also counts toward the 24-month recency requirement.