New UAS pilot training course launched in Canada

A new unmanned aerial system (UAS) pilot training course has been launched by Spectral Aviation and the UAS Centre of Excellence in Quebec. The course aims to meet growing demand for UAS pilot and operator training as the use of unmanned technology expands in Canada.

The five day, forty-hour course is based on manned aircraft pilot training criteria recognised by Transport Canada. It will cover the necessary elements required for the safe operation of UAS, including meteorology, theory of flight, Canadian aviation regulations, instrumentation, radiotelephony procedures as well as overviews of the various existing systems on the market. 

Such training is expected to become mandatory within the coming years as regulations for the operation of UAS in Canadian airspace come into play.

Mathieu Boulianne, president, Spectral Aviation, said: ‘Spectral Aviation is offering a condensed training adapted to pilots who wish to operate UAS. Due to our certification, we can provide official radio operators certificates to each attendee who will passed the exam, as well as a UAS pilot certificate.

‘We have decided to focus on the theoretical part of the training as we deeply believe that the practical side of it should be provided by the manufacturers to ensure a safe operation of the platform used. In regard to that, we are about to conclude agreements with manufacturers in order to complete the training with the practical side.’

Marc Moffatt, director general, UAS Centre of Excellence, added: ‘More and more people acquire UAS for recreational use or for commercial purposes, and many of these new operators have a very little knowledge about the regulations surrounding this type of systems. Incidents are reported every year in conjunction with UAS operations, which most could have been avoided if pilots had been aware of the rules related to the use of these system in the Canadian airspace.’

The course is part of Spectral Aviation’s plans to expand into a major UAS pilot training services provider in Canada.