How to Book a Drone Flight Review in Canada (Step-by-Step, 2026)

Why Book a Flight Review Through Pilot Network?

If you’re pursuing your Advanced RPAS pilot certificate or renewing recency after two years, Transport Canada requires a flight review conducted by a certified reviewer. In the past, finding one meant cold-emailing local flight schools, posting in Facebook groups, or hoping a club member could refer you. The Pilot Network consolidates every Transport Canada certified flight reviewer in Canada into a single searchable map — so you can see availability, pricing, specializations, and ratings before you commit.

This guide walks through the full booking workflow, from searching for a reviewer to submitting your signed flight review declaration to Transport Canada.

Step 1 — Confirm You Need a Flight Review

Only Advanced RPAS pilot certificates require a flight review under CARs Part IX. If you only fly in uncontrolled airspace, away from bystanders, under 250g, or with a Basic certificate, you don’t need a review. For a full breakdown, see What Is a Drone Flight Review? and Do I need Basic or Advanced?.

You’ll also need a flight review every 24 months to maintain recency on an Advanced certificate — details in Flight Review Recency Requirements.

Step 2 — Browse the Flight Reviewer Network Map

Open the Flight Reviewer Network map on the Pilot Network page. Each pin represents a Transport Canada certified flight reviewer who has joined the network. Pan and zoom to your region, or use the filter bar to narrow by:

• Province or city — Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, and every other major Canadian metro are represented. Rural reviewers are also listed.
• Specialization — urban operations, rural, BVLOS, night ops, commercial photography, inspection, agriculture.
• Availability — same-week, next-week, or next-month windows.
• Price range — filter by your budget (typical range is $200–$450 CAD).

Step 3 — Review the Reviewer’s Profile

Click any pin to open the reviewer’s profile. Each profile shows:

• Transport Canada certifications and endorsements
• Availability calendar for the next 30 days
• Typical pricing and what’s included (travel, paperwork, retest if needed)
• Client ratings and written reviews
• Specialization tags
• Preferred evaluation site (some reviewers have a home field; others travel to your location)

Take your time here — this person is signing off on your certification, and the quality of the evaluation matters. A good reviewer won’t just rubber-stamp; they’ll give you meaningful feedback.

Step 4 — Send a Booking Request

Once you’ve chosen a reviewer, click Request Booking. You’ll fill in:

• Preferred date range (typically 3–5 options)
• Preferred time window (morning, afternoon, evening)
• Review location — your site, the reviewer’s field, or a public field you’ve both agreed on
• Aircraft make, model, serial, and weight class
• Your current certificate level and flight experience

The reviewer receives your request instantly. Most confirm or counter-offer within 48 hours.

Step 5 — Confirm Details and Pay

When the reviewer accepts, you’ll see a confirmation with the final date, time, location, and price. Payment is handled through the Pilot Network at booking — no awkward e-transfers day-of. Your receipt is stored in your account for future reference.

For a typical price breakdown by province, see The Cost of a Drone Flight Review in Canada.

Step 6 — Prepare for Review Day

A strong flight review starts the week before. Bring:

• Your Advanced pilot certificate
• Proof of drone registration (print or digital)
• Liability insurance certificate if requested
• A current site survey for the review location
• Aircraft manuals you’ve reviewed recently
• Flight logs showing recent activity

Practice pre-flight planning — check NOTAMs, METARs, airspace classifications, site hazards, and emergency procedures. Rehearse radio procedures for controlled airspace scenarios even if your site is uncontrolled. For a complete prep walkthrough, read Preparing for Your Flight Review and avoid the pitfalls in 5 Common Flight Review Mistakes.

Step 7 — Complete the Review

The review itself is usually 1.5–2.5 hours. Expect:

• Written or verbal knowledge check (regulations, airspace, meteorology)
• Pre-flight briefing and site assessment
• Flight demonstration (planned maneuvers, emergency procedures, lost-link behaviour)
• Radio procedures demonstration
• Post-flight debrief

If the reviewer is satisfied, they sign your flight review declaration and submit it directly to Transport Canada on your behalf. Most Pilot Network reviewers handle this digitally, so you don’t need to chase paperwork.

Step 8 — What If You Don’t Pass?

Not every review ends with a pass, and that’s OK. The reviewer will give specific feedback on what to practise — most commonly radio procedures, airspace decision-making, or emergency handling. There’s no waiting period or attempt limit; you can rebook as soon as you feel ready. See If You Don’t Pass Your Flight Review for next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book online entirely, or do I need a phone call? Entirely online through the Pilot Network. Everything from discovery to payment to final declaration can be completed in the platform.

What if no reviewer is listed in my city? Filter to “Travels to your location” — many reviewers will come to you for a small travel fee. Otherwise the nearest regional reviewer is usually within 1–2 hours’ drive.

How far in advance should I book? Aim for 3–4 weeks out during busy seasons (spring and fall). Summer and winter are typically easier same-week bookings.

Is the booking binding? Payment is held until the review is complete. If you need to reschedule, most reviewers allow one free reschedule with 48 hours’ notice.

Ready to get started? Browse the Flight Reviewer Network and send your first booking request today.