North of the 49th: A Canadian Pilot’s Guide to the FAA Part 107 Certification

By: Col (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 06 Feb 26

For Canadian Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) pilots, the horizon is expanding. Whether you are looking to take on commercial contracts in the United States or simply want the prestige of being cross-certified, obtaining your FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is a significant professional milestone.

However, crossing the border involves more than just bringing your drone; it requires a fundamental shift in regulatory mindset.

While your Transport Canada (TC) experience provides a solid foundation, the FAA’s National Airspace System (NAS) operates under a different philosophy. This following outlines the essential path for Canadian pilots to "bridge the gap" and successfully navigate the FAA certification process.

What is the FAA Part 107?

Title 14 CFR Part 107, commonly known as "Part 107," is the primary regulatory framework in the United States for the commercial and non-recreational operation of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS).

• Unified System: Unlike Canada’s tiered "Basic", "Advanced" and "Level 1 Complex" system, the FAA uses a single Remote Pilot Certificate for all non-recreational operations.

• Weight Limit: It applies to civil sUAS weighing less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kg) at takeoff.

• Commercial Intent: Any operation intended to generate value or charge for services requires a Part 107 certificate.

  
  

The Pre-Exam Roadmap

Before you can sit for the exam at an FAA-approved testing center, there are several mandatory administrative steps.

1. Obtain your FAA Tracking Number (FTN)

This is your permanent aviation ID that follows you throughout your career. You must create a profile in the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system as an "Applicant". Your FTN will be displayed on your console once registered; you cannot book your exam at a PSI testing center without this number.

2. Study with a "Bridge" Mindset

While you already understand the physics of flight, the FAA exam tests specific U.S. nuances that can be "traps" for Canadian pilots.

• Measurement Units: The FAA exam uses Imperial units exclusively, such as Statute Miles (SM) for visibility and feet for altitude.

• Airspace Differences: Class F does not exist in the FAA system ; instead, these areas are categorized as Special Use Airspace, such as Prohibited, Restricted, or Military Operations Areas (MOAs).

• Chart Symbology: U.S. Sectional Charts use different colors to denote airport status, where blue indicates a towered airport and magenta indicates non-towered.

3. 2026 Regulatory Focus: High-Priority Exam Topics

For 2026, the FAA is placing heavy emphasis on the latest regulatory landscape, making these areas essential for your study plan:

Remote ID Compliance

Think of Remote ID as a digital license plate for your drone. As of early 2024, the "grace period" for enforcement has ended, and compliance is now a baseline requirement for almost all operations in 2026.

• Mandatory Broadcasting: Every drone used for commercial purposes (and recreational drones over 250g) must broadcast its identification, location, and altitude from takeoff to shutdown.

• Failure Protocol: If your Remote ID fails mid-flight, the FAA legal requirement is to "land as soon as practicable".

• Registration Nuance: Unlike recreational flyers who can register multiple drones under one number, Part 107 pilots must register each device separately, providing its unique Remote ID serial number.

  
  

Operations Over People (OOP)

This is perhaps the most significant departure from Canadian rules. Instead of simple bystander distance rules, the FAA uses a risk-based four-category system:

• Category 1: Drones weighing 0.55 lbs or less with no exposed rotating parts that could cause lacerations.

• Categories 2 & 3: Based on kinetic energy limits (11 ft-lbs and 25 ft-lbs, respectively). Category 3 is strictly prohibited from "sustained flight" over open-air assemblies.

• Category 4: Requires a specific FAA Airworthiness Certificate.

• Moving Vehicles: Routine operations over moving vehicles are now permitted under specific conditions, primarily for Category 1-3 drones.

Post-Exam Procedures

Passing the 60-question exam is a major win, but the process continues through the IACRA system.

• Submit FAA Form 8710-13: Once you pass, you must complete this form via IACRA to receive your physical certificate.

• TSA Security Check: The FAA coordinates a background check with the TSA. For Canadian citizens, this may take longer than for U.S. residents, often averaging 4–8 weeks for the permanent card.

• Temporary Certificate: You will typically receive a downloadable temporary digital certificate via IACRA once you pass initial vetting.

• Maintaining Currency: Every 24 months, you must complete the free Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent (ALC-677) training on the FAASTeam website to remain legal.

  
  

Navigating the Differences

The most critical takeaway for any Canadian pilot is that Transport Canada regulations do not mirror FAA regulations.

• Operations Over People (OOP): The FAA uses a risk-based Four-Category system based on kinetic energy rather than Canada's simple distance buffers.

• Accident Reporting: You must report an accident to the FAA within 10 days if it involves serious injury (hospitalization/loss of consciousness) or property damage (excluding the drone) exceeding $500.

• Weather Sources: FAA reports follow the "Golden Rule": if you read it (METAR/TAF), it is True North; if you hear it (ATIS/AWOS), it is Magnetic North.

  
  

How should you Prepare!

You could spend weeks scouring the FAA’s 200-page textbooks, but as a Canadian pilot, you don't need to re-learn what "lift" is—you need to know how the U.S. rules differ from what you do every day.

The KR Droneworks FAA Part 107 Study Guide for Canadian Pilots is designed specifically as a "regulatory bridge". It focuses on high-priority areas like Remote ID compliance, night operations, and the specific U.S. airspace classifications you will be tested on. It provides the targeted knowledge necessary for Canadian pilots to shift their mindset and ace the exam on the first try.

Don't let the "Great Divide" in regulations ground your international operations. Equip yourself with the right tools to bridge the gap and fly south with confidence.

References

• KR Droneworks FAA Part 107 Study Guide for Canadian Pilots (V1.1, Feb 2026)

• FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide (FAA-H-8083-24A)

• Advisory Circular AC 107-2A

• 14 CFR Part 107 (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations)

• FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement