RPAS Flight Review Checklist: Everything You Need on Review Day

Before Review Day

Preparation starts well before you arrive at the review site. The pilots who perform best in their drone flight review are the ones who treat the preparation phase as seriously as the review itself.

Documents to Gather

Collect and organise the following documents at least one week before your scheduled review:

• Valid RPAS pilot certificate (Basic or Advanced) — printed or accessible digitally
• Government-issued photo ID — driver’s licence or passport
• Drone registration document — confirming your aircraft is registered with Transport Canada
• Proof of liability insurance — current certificate of insurance showing active coverage
• Pilot logbook — up to date with your recent flights logged
• Previous flight review declaration (if renewing) — shows your review history

Missing any of these documents can delay or cancel your review. Reviewers are required to verify your identity and certification status before proceeding, and missing documentation signals poor preparation.

Knowledge to Review

In the week leading up to your RPAS flight review, refresh your understanding of:

• CARs Part IX — current version, including any recent amendments
• Phase 2 regulatory changes — the 2025 updates introduced new operation categories and requirements
• Airspace classifications — controlled vs. uncontrolled, restricted areas, and the procedures for each
• NOTAMs — how to find, read, and interpret Notices to Air Missions for your area
• Weather minimums — ceiling, visibility, and wind limitations for RPAS operations
• Emergency procedures — specific to your drone model and operational context

The knowledge portion of the flight review is a conversation, not a multiple-choice test. Reviewers ask open-ended questions and expect you to demonstrate practical understanding. For detailed preparation tips, see our guide on preparing for your flight review.

Equipment Preparation

Your drone must be in airworthy condition on review day:

• Fully charged batteries — bring at least two fully charged flight batteries
• Firmware updated to the latest stable version
• Controller charged and paired
• Propellers inspected — no nicks, cracks, or deformation
• Camera and sensors clean and functional
• Memory card inserted (if applicable)
• Carrying case for transport

Bring a backup battery for your controller and a mobile device with your airspace and NOTAM apps loaded. Reviewers notice when pilots arrive with well-maintained equipment and the tools to conduct a proper preflight — it demonstrates the habits they are looking to confirm.

Review Day Checklist

Use this as your walkthrough on the morning of your flight review.

Before Leaving Home

• Check the weather forecast for your review location — wind, visibility, precipitation
• Check active NOTAMs for the area using NAV CANADA or your flight planning app
• Confirm your review time and location with the reviewer
• Pack all documents (listed above)
• Pack all equipment (listed above)
• Charge your phone and ensure you have airspace apps installed

On Arrival

• Arrive 15 minutes early — give yourself time to set up and settle in
• Introduce yourself to the reviewer and present your documents
• Discuss the review format — the reviewer will explain what to expect
• Ask any questions about the process before beginning

During the Knowledge Assessment

• Listen carefully to each question before answering
• Give practical, real-world answers — not textbook recitations
• If you are unsure about something, say so honestly — reviewers respect honesty over guessing
• Reference current regulations, not outdated material
• Demonstrate that you know how to find answers (where to check NOTAMs, how to read airspace charts)

During the Practical Flight Assessment

• Conduct a thorough preflight inspection — do not skip or rush any steps
• Talk through your checklist out loud so the reviewer can follow your process
• Maintain controlled, deliberate flight — smooth inputs, consistent altitude
• Call out your intentions — “climbing to 50 feet,” “beginning orbit to the left”
• Demonstrate situational awareness — scan your surroundings, monitor your display
• Respond calmly to any simulated emergencies the reviewer introduces
• Land safely and complete your post-flight procedures

After the Review

• Thank the reviewer regardless of the outcome
• If satisfactory: collect your signed flight review declaration
• Verify the declaration includes the date, reviewer name, reviewer certificate number, and confirmation of competency
• Submit the declaration to Transport Canada promptly
• Log the review in your pilot logbook

Common Reasons for Unsatisfactory Results

Reviewers report these as the most frequent issues:

Outdated regulatory knowledge. Pilots who studied from old materials and are not current on the Phase 2 changes or recent flight review requirements.

Rushing the preflight. Skipping checklist items or doing them from memory without actually inspecting the aircraft. Reviewers are watching for thoroughness, not speed.

Poor situational awareness. Losing track of the drone’s orientation, drifting beyond intended boundaries, or failing to scan for other aircraft and obstacles during flight.

Inability to explain decisions. Being able to fly well but not being able to articulate why you made specific choices. Reviewers want to see that your good habits are intentional, not accidental.

One Last Thing

A drone flight review is not an adversarial examination. It is a professional conversation between two members of the drone community about safe, competent operations. The reviewer is not trying to catch you out — they are trying to confirm that you meet the standard.

Approach your RPAS flight review with preparation, professionalism, and the right equipment, and you will walk away confident and current. Use the RPAS WILCO Pilot Networks to find a reviewer near you and get it booked.