XGuard Academy | Transport Canada Certified Drone Pilot Training

Become a Drone Pilot
Certified by Transport Canada

Get fully certified as a drone pilot, legally and confidently. Theory, practical training, and official certification — everything you need to fly professionally in Canada.

14.5%
Annual market growth
$60–$120K
Potential earnings
$15,000
Fines without certification
Why get certified?

Flying a Drone Without Certification
Is Illegal in Canada

Transport Canada requires certification for any drone over 250 g. Here’s why you should act now.

Avoid $15,000 Fines

Flying without certification can cost you up to $15,000 in fines. A single infraction can exceed the cost of all your training combined.

Land Commercial Contracts

Companies require certified pilots. Without certification, you can’t legally charge for photography, inspection, or surveillance services.

Earn $60–120K per Year

Certified pilots in security, infrastructure inspection, and industrial operations earn between $60,000 and $120,000 per year.

Fly Closer and Farther

Advanced certification lets you fly near people, in controlled airspace, and perform Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations with the Level 1 Complexity certificate.

Booming Industry (+14.5%/year)

The global drone market will exceed $30B by 2034. Position yourself now in a fast‑growing industry with endless opportunities.

Professional Insurance Available

Without certification, no insurer will cover you. Certified pilots can access essential professional liability insurance.

Your Complete Journey

The 4 Steps to Your
Full Certification

1
Step 1 — Theory
Basic + Advanced Theory Training
$299

16 hours of intensive online training over 2 days. Covers air law, weather, navigation, human factors, and everything you need to pass Transport Canada’s Basic and Advanced exams.

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2
Step 2 — Practice (optional)
Exam Question Bank
$99

Lifetime access to the 200 similar to Transport Canada exam questions. Practice as much as you want until you consistently score 80%+. These are the same questions you’ll see on the official exam.

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3
Step 3 — Specialization
Level 1 Complexity Certification
$199

NEW LAW effective November 4, 2025: Level 1 Complexity is now REQUIRED for all BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations. Unlock long‑distance inspections, commercial mapping, and missions paid $150–$500/hour.

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4
Step 4 — Final Certification
Practical Training + Flight Review
Starting at $699

REQUIRED for advanced certification. Includes supervised flight sessions, ROC‑A radio certificate, advanced flight review (final practical exam), mission planning workshop, and official Transport Canada certification.

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Available Dates

Choose Your Session

Session
FULL
Weekdays • 9am – 5pm • Online
  • Training daysWeekdays
  • Schedule9am – 5pm
  • FormatOnline
Book this session
Session
FULL
Weekdays • 9am – 5pm • Online
  • Training daysWeekdays
  • Schedule9am – 5pm
  • FormatOnline
Book this session
Testimonials

What Our Students Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions?

What are the admission requirements?
Minimum age: 14 for basic operations, 16 for advanced operations.

Prerequisites: No prior experience required. You only need to understand, read, and speak English or French.
What’s the difference between Basic and Advanced?
Basic operations: Visual line of sight (VLOS), far from people, online exam only.

Advanced operations: Flying near people, in controlled airspace. Requires a written exam plus a mandatory practical flight review.
What is the Level 1 Complexity certificate?
Since November 4, 2025, Level 1 Complexity is REQUIRED for all BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations. This includes long‑distance inspections, commercial mapping, and the most lucrative industrial missions ($150–$500/hour).
What is the ROC‑A certificate?
The ROC‑A (Restricted Operator Certificate — Aeronautical) is required by Transport Canada to communicate with control towers and other aircraft. It is included in all of our practical training packages.
What is the flight review?
The advanced flight review is the final practical exam REQUIRED to obtain your advanced operations certification. A certified instructor evaluates your piloting skills in person. Without this review, you will not receive your Transport Canada advanced certificate.
How long does it take to get fully certified?
Theory training: 2 intensive days (16 hours)
Transport Canada exam: Available immediately after (fee ~ $10–$15)
Practical training + review: 1–3 days depending on the package
Official certification: 1–3 business days after passing the review

Total: You can be certified within 1–2 weeks.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Interac transfer, PayPal, and cash (in person only). Payment plans available on request.
Do I need to bring my own drone?
No. All DJI drones are provided during practical training. You only need to bring yourself and your motivation.

Ready to Become a Certified Pilot?