Study Guide for the Advanced RPAS Exam in 2025

Are you preparing for the Advanced RPAS Exam but don’t know where to start? 

Don’t worry! 

Whether you’re looking to obtain your drone pilot certification or expand your RPAS knowledge, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the advanced exam. We’ll cover key study topics, essential resources, and tips to help you succeed.

Watch our Youtube video if you’re a visual learner 🙂

Let’s get started!

Exam Overview

First, let’s review what you can expect from the Advanced RPAS Exam:

• Exam Format: 50 multiple-choice questions

• Time Limit: 60 minutes

• Passing Score: 80%

The Advanced RPAS Exam is more comprehensive than the Basic Exam. This is because the Advanced Certificate allows you to fly in controlled airspace and closer to people (with the proper permissions and approvals of course). However, to complete your Advanced certification, you will also need to pass a flight review. 

(Check out our flight review guide.)

Topics Covered in the Exam:

• Advanced air law & regulations

• Aerodynamics & flight mechanics

• Meteorology & airspace operations

• Radio procedures & human factors

Key Study Topics

Let’s explore the key topics you will need to master for the Advanced RPAS Exam:

1. Air Law & Regulations

• Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Airspace

Image is from NAV CANADA: https://www.navcanada.ca/en/air-traffic/drone-new-entrants.aspx.

Controlled airspace includes Class A, B, C, D, E, and F airspace, typically found around major cities and airports. The Advanced Certificate allows you to fly in these areas, but you must request approval from NAV CANADA. Class G is the only uncontrolled airspace, and this is where most RPAS operations take place.

• Airspace Classification & NOTAMs
  Learn about NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), which alert pilots to temporary flight restrictions, hazards, and other important updates. You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) charts and the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) for permanent regulations.

• Minimum Distances from People
  With a Basic Certificate, you must maintain at least 30 meters distance from people. 

With the Advanced Certificate, you can fly closer than 30 meters, but no closer than 5 meters distance to people.

(Learn more about these rules here.)

2. Aerodynamics & Flight Mechanics

• Forces Acting on a Drone

• Lift vs. Weight: Lift counteracts gravity and keeps the drone in the air, while weight pulls it down.

• Thrust vs. Drag: Thrust moves the drone forward, while drag works against this movement.

• Effects of Air Density on Drone Performance
  High altitudes and hot temperatures reduce air density, making it harder for drones to generate lift. In contrast, cold air increases air density, improving lift but reducing battery performance.

3. Meteorology & Weather Effects

Understanding weather is crucial for safe flight planning:

• Cloud Types & Their Impact

• Cumulus clouds can lead to turbulence.

• Stratus clouds bring low visibility and possible icing.

• Cumulonimbus clouds can cause thunderstorms—avoid flying near these at all costs!

• Reading METARs & TAFs

• METARs provide current weather conditions at airports.

• TAFs give forecasted weather conditions over the next 24-30 hours.

4. Radio Procedures & Communications

• Standard Phraseology for Aviation Communications
  Get familiar with standard aviation terms like “Roger” to confirm receipt of instructions, and use the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie…) for clearer communication.

• How to Communicate with NAV CANADA
  When contacting NAV CANADA, provide:

• Your call sign (RPAS pilot ID)

• Your location and altitude request

• Your flight duration

5. Human Factors & Risk Management

• Situational Awareness & Decision-Making
  Be aware of your surroundings, including other aircraft, obstacles, and environmental factors like weather.

• Fatigue, Stress, and Distractions
  Avoid flying when mentally fatigued, stressed, or distracted, as these can reduce your reaction time.

• Crew Resource Management (CRM)
  Assign roles—have one person monitoring the drone and another watching for potential hazards, and so on.

Study Tips & Resources

Maximize your exam preparation with these essential resources:

1. RPAS Centre’s Free Advanced Exam Prep Course

To ensure you’re fully prepared, RPAS Centre offers a FREE Advanced Exam Prep Course. This course includes:

• 8 expert-designed modules covering all exam topics in depth.

• A complete workbook with exercises to reinforce key concepts.

• A Transport Canada-style mock exam to simulate real exam conditions.

• In-depth explanations of METARs, airspace regulations, and radio procedures.

Register today: RPAS Centre’s Advanced Exam Prep Course

2. RPAS Wilco – Canada’s #1 Drone Compliance Platform

After passing the exam, staying compliant is key. RPAS Wilco streamlines compliance tasks, saving you time and reducing risks. 

RPAS Wilco’s Industry Leading Features:

• Airspace Awareness: Live, interactive airspace maps and real-time NOTAMs to help you avoid airspace violations.

• Pre-Flight Planning: Generate site surveys under a minute that check local regulations and flight conditions, including METARs and TAFs for weather updates.

• Regulatory Compliance & Flight Logging: Use pre-flight checklists and automated flight logs to ensure you meet all regulatory requirements.

• Access to Aeronautical Data: As the only drone company certified as a distributor of NAV CANADA aeronautical data (VFRs, CFSs, and more), we provide exclusive access to critical data worth over $1,000 annually. Check out the full list of certified distributors here.

Learn more: RPAS Wilco

Final Tips

That’s a wrap on your Advanced RPAS Exam Prep Guide! Here are a few final tips for success:

• Time Management: With 50 questions in 60 minutes, aim for about 1 minute per question.

• Eliminate Wrong Answers: Narrow down your options to improve your chances of choosing the correct answer.

• Think Like a Regulator: Always choose the safest, most compliant option.

• Use the Full Time: Don’t rush—ensure you’ve carefully reviewed your answers before submitting.

Good luck on your exam and we hope this guide helped you prepare!

Fly safely and smartly!