The "Hidden" Rulebook: Why CARs Part IX Isn’t Enough

krdroneworks
19 hours ago
3 min read

Updated: 56 minutes ago

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks Academy, 04 May 26

You’ve got your RPAS Pilot Certificate. You’ve bookmarked CARs Part IX on your laptop. You know your distances from bystanders and your maximum altitudes. You’re good to go, right?

Not exactly.

If you haven’t cracked open the TC AIM-RPAS lately, you’re essentially trying to drive a car knowing the laws of the road but without ever looking at the "Driver’s Handbook" that explains how the intersections actually work.

What exactly is the TC AIM-RPAS?

The Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM) is the primary reference document for all flight crews in Canada—from 747 captains to recreational drone pilots.

While the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) are the actual laws (the "Thou Shalt" and "Thou Shalt Not"), the AIM is the instruction manual. The RPA chapter (specifically the Remotely Piloted Aircraft section) is where the legal jargon of the CARs is translated into operational reality.

The Big Difference: Laws vs. Procedures

Think of it this way:

CARs Part IX: The legal framework. It tells you that you must give way to manned aircraft.
TC AIM-RPAS: The procedural framework. It explains how to give way, what a "standard circuit" looks like at an uncontrolled aerodrome, and how to interpret the signals of other pilots.

Why the AIM is your "Secret Weapon"

There is a massive amount of critical information in the AIM that you simply won't find in the CARs. Here is why it’s non-negotiable for a professional pilot:

Standardized Procedures: The CARs might say "don't be a hazard," but the AIM defines the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that Transport Canada expects you to follow. If you’re ever involved in an incident, the first question will be: "Were you following the procedures outlined in the AIM?"
Deciphering Micro-Drones: The CARs are notoriously light on micro-drone (under 250g) specifics. The AIM-RPAS fills the gaps, offering guidance on "reckless or negligent" operation that applies even to the tiniest drones.
Airspace Integration: As we move into 2026, drones are becoming "routine users" of managed airspace. The AIM provides the updated protocols for how RPAS pilots should interact with NAV CANADA and crewed aviation, especially near airports.
The "Should" vs. "Shall": The CARs use "shall" (legal requirement). The AIM uses "should" (best practices). In the eyes of an aviation inspector, a "should" is often treated as the minimum standard for safe airmanship.
CARs won't tell you when you have to contact Transport Canada in addition to the TSB whenyou have a drone accident, but the AIM-RPAS will. CARs won't tell you about what the IMSAFE checklist item is, but the AIM-RPAS will.

How to Use It

You shouldn’t just read the AIM once; you should use it as a pre-flight reference.

Check for Updates: The TC AIM is updated twice a year (the latest version, AIM 2026-1, came into effect in March).
Cross-Reference: When you find a regulation in CAR 901 that seems vague, look up the corresponding section in the RPA chapter of the AIM for the "why" and the "how."
Recency Requirements: Reading the AIM and the latest Drone Zone bulletins actually counts toward your 24-month recency requirements.

The Bottom Line

Knowing the law (CARs) keeps you out of court. Knowing the manual (AIM) keeps you out of the air of another aircraft. If you want to move from "someone who flies a drone" to a "Remote Pilot," the AIM-RPAS is your most important tool.