BUYER BEWARE: Navigating the New RPAS Level 1 Complex Ground School Landscape

The Rules Have Changed. Don’t Get Grounded by Inadequate Training.

If you are looking to upgrade your drone operations in Canada, you have likely seen the new Transport Canada (TC) requirements for the Pilot Certificate – Level 1 Complex Operations. The requirement includes passing the exams and attending a 20-hour ground school.

However, this new requirement has created a "Buyer Beware" situation. The old adage "You Get What You Pay For" is the reality.

With the market flooding with new course options, you must look beyond the price tag. While a well-designed PDF Study Guide based on the TP15530 knowledge requirements is a fantastic resource—provided it addresses every Transport Canada requirement—it is only as good as the support system behind it. A document alone cannot mentor you.

If you are shopping around, you need to verify that the program is backed by a qualified Level 1 Complex Pilot Instructor. To ensure you are getting professional training and not just a data dump, you need to ask a lot of questions.

Spare no options. Speak with the owner or the Chief Drone Pilot Instructor, and ask them the following:

1. The Scope of Training

"Is this ground school for TC Exam preparation only, or will it prepare me for the associated Flight Review and future operations?"

Passing the written exam is only the first hurdle. The Level 1 Complex Flight Review is a rigorous assessment of your practical abilities. If a school focuses solely on rote memorization for the exam, you may find yourself unprepared for the real-world scenarios presented during the Flight Review. You want a program that builds operational competence, not just test-taking skills.

2. The Delivery Method

"Does the ground school include in-person training, or is it solely AI-generated?"

Technology is a great tool, but it shouldn't replace human expertise. You need to confirm if you will have access to real human instruction. If the content is solely AI-generated without human oversight or the ability to ask a qualified instructor for clarification, you are missing out on the nuance and experience that keeps pilots safe.

3. Flight Experience

"Is in-person flight training included or available?"

You cannot master complex drone operations strictly from a classroom or a computer screen. Ask if the provider offers actual flight training to reinforce the theory. Getting hands-on time with an instructor to practice emergency procedures and complex maneuvers is invaluable.

4. Instructor Qualifications

"Do your instructors receive any training to be an instructor or Flight Reviewer?" "Is the program prepared by actual qualified drone pilot instructors, and how do I know?"

Being a good pilot does not automatically make someone a good teacher. Ask about the credentials of the people who designed the course and those who are teaching it. Are they TC-authorized Flight Reviewers? Have they undergone "Train the Trainer" instruction? You are paying for their expertise—ensure they are qualified to transfer that knowledge to you.

5. Study Resources

"What additional study material or aide-memoire are included?"

A high-quality ground school will provide you with tools you can take into the field. Look for checklists, decision-making flowcharts, and aide-memoires that assist you during actual operations. These resources are often the difference between a smooth operation and a safety incident.

Crucial Questions for Level 1 Complex Certification

The Level 1 Complex certificate allows for more advanced operations (like BVLOS), which brings higher regulatory burdens. You must ask these specific questions:

6. RPOC Assistance

"Does your program provide assistance in preparing—or provide generic—RPOC manuals for applying for a TC RPOC Certificate?"

To operate under Level 1 Complex, you generally need an RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC). This requires submitting specific manuals (like an SMS or SOPs) to Transport Canada. A superior ground school will provide you with templates or guidance on how to navigate this bureaucratic hurdle. If they leave you to figure out the RPOC application entirely on your own, you are only getting half the solution.

7. Visual Observer Training

"Does your program provide Visual Observer (VO) training information?"

Complex operations frequently utilize Visual Observers. Transport Canada has strict expectations for VO competency. If your ground school ignores VO training, how are you supposed to train your crew to be compliant? Ensure the curriculum covers the roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols for VOs.

The Bottom Line

Do your due diligence.

Don't just click "Buy" on the first or cheapest option you see. Pick up the phone. Ask lots of questions before deciding which RPAS Ground School is best for you.

If a provider cannot answer these questions confidently, or if you can't reach a human being to discuss them, consider that a red flag. Your safety, your liability, and your professional reputation depend on the quality of your training.

RPAS Level 1 Complex: School Interview & Assessment Form

Candidate School Name: ______________________________________

Date of Call: _______________ Person Spoken To: ___________________________

(Title: ________________) (Note: Try to speak with the Chief Instructor or Owner, not just a sales representative.)

Part 1: The Basics & Delivery Method

Goal: Determine if this is a "diploma mill" or a genuine training environment.

1. "Is this ground school for Transport Canada Exam preparation only, or does it cover the practical realities of the Flight Review and future operations?"

• [ ] Exam Prep Only (Red Flag: You may struggle with the practical Flight Review)

• [ ] Full Operational Prep (Includes Flight Review scenarios, SOPs, etc.)

• Notes: ___________________________________________________________________

2. "How is the 20-hour ground school delivered? Is it 100% self-study/AI-generated, or is there access to human instruction?"

• [ ] 100% Static PDF/AI (No human interaction available)

• [ ] Hybrid/Live (Includes webinars, Q&A sessions, or direct instructor access)

• Notes: ___________________________________________________________________

3. "Is in-person flight training included? If so, where is it conducted?"

• [ ] No (Theory only)

• [ ] Yes (Location: _____________________)

• Notes: ___________________________________________________________________

Part 2: Instructor Qualifications

Goal: Ensure you are learning from experts, not just administrators.

4. "Who developed the course material? Are they qualified Level 1 Complex Pilot Instructors?"

• Instructor Name(s): ____________________________________________

• Qualifications mentioned:

  • [ ] TC Flight Reviewer Status

  • [ ] Actual BVLOS experience

  • [ ] "Train the Trainer" certification

• Notes: ___________________________________________________________________

5. "If I have a technical question while studying the PDF guide, who answers it and how quickly?"

• [ ] No one / General Support Ticket

• [ ] Qualified Instructor (Phone/Email/Zoom)

• Notes: ___________________________________________________________________

Part 3: Operational Readiness (The "Complex" Factors)

Goal: Level 1 Complex requires heavy documentation and crew management. Does the school help?

6. "Do you provide templates or guidance for creating the RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC) manuals (SMS, SOPs) required by Transport Canada?"

• [ ] No (You are on your own to write hundreds of pages)

• [ ] Yes, Generic Templates provided

• [ ] Yes, Full Guidance/Consulting included

• Notes: ___________________________________________________________________

7. "Does the curriculum strictly follow TP 15530, and does it include Visual Observer (VO) training?" (Note: If they ask "What is TP 15530?", hang up immediately.)

• [ ] Includes VO Training (Crucial for EVLOS operations)

• [ ] Does not mention VO

• Notes: ___________________________________________________________________

Part 4: Value Added

8. "What specific study aids or field resources do I get to keep after the course?"

• [ ] Checklists

• [ ] Emergency Procedures Aide-Memoire

• [ ] Site Survey Forms

• [ ] None (Access expires)

9. "What is the total cost, and are there hidden fees for the Flight Review or Manual Templates?"

• Course Fee: $ __________

• Flight Review Fee: $ __________

• Manuals/Templates: $ __________

• TOTAL: $ __________

Final Assessment

Does this school feel like a partner in my aviation career, or a retail store selling a certificate?

• [ ] Partner (High Confidence)

• [ ] Questionable (Mixed Feelings)

• [ ] Retail Store (Avoid)

Decision: ___________________________________________________________________