Courses & Pricing

Clarion Drone Academy delivers specialized training for organizations conducting professional RPAS operations in Canada and internationally. Our programs are built around Transport Canada’s regulatory framework and taught by instructors with real-world BVLOS operational experience dating back to 2018.

Every course listed below is available for corporate, government, military, and law enforcement clients. Pricing reflects starting rates for individual enrollment. Group rates, on-site delivery, and custom program development are available on request.

For personalized quotes or group enrollments, contact us at bruce@clariondrones.com.

Level 1 BVLOS Complex RPAS Ground School

Starting at $2,499

5 Days In-Class | 40 Sessions | Maximum 12 Students

This is Clarion’s flagship program and the most comprehensive BVLOS ground school available in Canada. Over five intensive days and 40 structured sessions, students work through the complete regulatory, technical, and operational knowledge required to plan and execute Level 1 Complex BVLOS operations under Canadian Aviation Regulations.

This is not a lecture series. Students build real mission plans, decode live aviation weather, calculate radio link budgets, design operational and contingency volumes, and work through SORA risk assessments using actual scenarios. By the end of the week, graduates have the knowledge foundation to write the Transport Canada Level 1 Complex BVLOS examination and begin building their RPOC application.

What You’ll Learn

Canadian Aviation Regulations Part IX (CARs 900-series) as they apply to RPAS operations
TP 15530E requirements for Level 1 Complex BVLOS operations
JARUS SORA v2.5 risk assessment methodology including ConOps development, Ground Risk Class, Air Risk Class, and SAIL determination
Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs) and how to demonstrate compliance
Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems, technologies, and regulatory requirements
Aviation weather interpretation: METAR, TAF, GFA, ceiling determination, and go/no-go decision frameworks
Radio communications for BVLOS operations including CTAF procedures and RIC-21 certification preparation
Waypoint planning, route design, geofencing, and Google Earth mission planning tools
Flight envelope and contingency envelope design
Emergency procedures, lost link protocols, and flight termination systems
Radio link budget calculations including Fresnel zone clearance and free-space path loss
Density altitude, performance degradation, and environmental factors affecting UAS operations

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for pilots and organizations preparing for BVLOS operations in Canada. Typical students include government agencies planning surveillance or mapping missions, military units building drone programs, law enforcement expanding tactical capabilities, utility and energy companies conducting infrastructure inspection, and environmental organizations running remote monitoring operations.

Prerequisites

Students must have passed the Transport Canada Advanced Operations exam. No prior BVLOS experience is required — we start from the regulatory foundation and build up.

What You’ll Receive

Five days of intensive, instructor-led ground school training
Comprehensive student handbook and reference materials
Transport Canada Level 1 Complex exam written in class on Day 4
RIC-21 Radio Operator’s Certificate examination (included)
Digital certificate of completion
Lifetime access to the Clarion Professional Network and alumni resources

Flexible scheduling available for government and corporate clients. Contact us at bruce@clariondrones.com to discuss training dates for your team.

View the full day-by-day course outline →

RPOC Documentation & Compliance

Starting at $1,599

2 Days In-Class

Any organization planning to conduct Level 1 Complex BVLOS operations in Canada must hold a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator Certificate (RPOC) issued by Transport Canada. The RPOC application requires a complete suite of operational manuals demonstrating that your organization has the policies, procedures, and safety systems in place to operate safely.

This two-day course walks you through the entire RPOC documentation package: what Transport Canada expects, how to structure each manual, and what content is required. Students leave with a working understanding of all 12 required manuals and a clear path to completing their RPOC application. The course covers Standard Operating Procedures, Safety Management Systems, Training Plans, Maintenance Programs, Emergency Response Plans, Visual Observer Training, Radio Communications, Compliance Audit Programs, and more.

No other training provider in Canada offers a standalone RPOC documentation course. The alternative is hiring a consultant at $200–$400 per hour to write these manuals for you.

Who Should Attend

Operations managers, safety officers, and chief pilots responsible for building or maintaining RPOC compliance documentation. Ideal for organizations in the early stages of their BVLOS program development.

JARUS SORA v2.5 Practitioner

Starting at $1,799

3 Days In-Class | 24 Sessions

The Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) is the internationally recognized methodology that Transport Canada uses to evaluate BVLOS operational risk. If you’re applying for authorization to fly beyond visual line of sight in Canada, you need to understand SORA — not just at a conceptual level, but well enough to produce a compliant risk assessment that Transport Canada will accept.

This three-day course takes students through the complete SORA v2.5 framework from start to finish. You’ll develop a real Concept of Operations (ConOps), determine Ground Risk Class and Air Risk Class, assign a SAIL level, and map out the Operational Safety Objectives your operation must meet. Students work through SORA Annexes A through F with practical exercises and leave with a completed risk assessment they can use as the foundation for their own operations.

Clarion is the only standalone SORA training provider in Canada. Other programs touch on SORA as a single topic within a broader course. We dedicate three full days to it because that’s what it takes to do it properly.

Prerequisites

Transport Canada Advanced Pilot Certificate holders. Completion of the BVLOS Level 1 Complex Ground School is recommended but not required.

CDA-VO-100: Visual Observer — In-Person + Radio

Starting at $899

1 Day In-Class

Under the November 2025 regulatory changes, Visual Observers supporting EVLOS and BVLOS operations now require at minimum a Transport Canada Basic Pilot Certificate. Trained, certified crew members are a regulatory requirement, not a nice-to-have.

This one-day course combines Visual Observer fundamentals with radio communications training. Students learn VO responsibilities within the BVLOS crew structure, scan techniques, communication protocols with the pilot-in-command, hazard identification, and proper use of aviation radios including CTAF procedures. The combined format means your crew members are trained and operationally ready in a single day rather than attending two separate courses.

No other Canadian training provider offers a combined VO and radio communications course in a single day.

Who Should Attend

Crew members designated as Visual Observers for EVLOS or BVLOS operations. Also suitable for safety officers and operations managers who want to understand VO requirements firsthand.

CDA-VO-100: Visual Observer — Online

Starting at $499

Self-Paced Online

The online version of the CDA-VO-100 Visual Observer course covers the same core VO knowledge as the in-person program: crew responsibilities, scan techniques, communication protocols, hazard identification, and regulatory requirements under CARs Part IX. Delivered through the Clarion Professional Network portal, students complete the course at their own pace.

This is the scalable option for organizations that need to train multiple Visual Observers. Rather than bringing your entire crew to a one-day session, you can enroll team members individually as your operations expand. Volume pricing is available for teams of three or more.

Who Should Attend

Same audience as the in-person course: designated Visual Observers for EVLOS or BVLOS operations. Best suited for teams that need flexibility in scheduling or have crew members in multiple locations.

Level 1 Complex Flight Review

Starting at $499

In-Person | Conducted by Certified Flight Reviewers

The Level 1 Complex Flight Review is the final practical step toward obtaining your Level 1 Complex RPAS Certificate. As required by TP 15530E, this in-person assessment is conducted by a Transport Canada–certified Flight Reviewer and evaluates your ability to plan and execute a BVLOS mission safely and competently.

The review covers mission planning, pre-flight procedures, flight execution using a Visual Observer, emergency response procedures, and post-flight documentation. This is not a training session — it’s a formal assessment. Students should have completed the Level 1 Complex BVLOS examination before booking their flight review.

Your review is conducted by a Clarion flight reviewer who holds both the Level 1 Complex certificate and the Flight Review rating.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of the Transport Canada Level 1 Complex (L1C) BVLOS examination.

Preparing for TC RPAS Flight Review

Starting at $249

Online | Self-Paced

This preparatory course helps pilots understand what to expect during their Transport Canada RPAS Flight Review and how to prepare for it. The course covers the review format, assessment criteria, common areas where pilots struggle, and practical tips for demonstrating competence during the evaluation.

Think of this as your study guide and briefing before the actual review. It won’t replace seat time or flight experience, but it will ensure you show up prepared and confident in what’s being assessed.

Who Should Attend

Any pilot preparing for a Transport Canada RPAS Flight Review at the Advanced or Level 1 Complex level. Particularly useful for pilots who have not completed a flight review before and want to understand the process.

Advanced RPAS Online Exam Prep

Starting at $249

Online | Self-Paced | 94 Lessons across 11 Sections

Clarion’s Advanced RPAS exam preparation course covers the complete knowledge requirements defined in Transport Canada’s TP 15263E for pilots seeking the Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate. This is the certificate required to fly drones over 250 grams in controlled airspace, near bystanders, and to unlock EVLOS and sheltered operations — and it’s the prerequisite for Level 1 Complex.

The course includes 94 lessons organized across 11 sections, covering airspace classification, weather theory, navigation, regulations, flight planning, human factors, and emergency procedures. Content is aligned with the actual Transport Canada online examination so students are studying exactly what they’ll be tested on.

This is the most comprehensive Advanced exam prep course available in Canada at this price point. Competitors charge $250–$599 for less content. Delivered through the Clarion Professional Network portal with progress tracking and self-paced access.

Who Should Attend

Anyone preparing to write the Transport Canada Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate examination. Suitable for new pilots, pilots upgrading from Basic, and experienced operators who want structured exam preparation.

Note: Transport Canada RPAS examinations are currently only available to Canadian residents. International pilots should contact us to discuss alternative pathways.

CDA-ADV-200: Advanced RPAS Certification — In-Class Program

Starting at $1,499 per student

5 Days In-Class | 40 Sessions | Optional Flight Training Days

A complete, instructor-led Advanced RPAS program delivered on site for your team. Over five days and 40 structured sessions, students cover the full Transport Canada TP 15263E knowledge requirement — air law, airspace, meteorology, navigation, aircraft systems, flight operations, human factors, and mission planning — and write the TC Advanced exam on Day 5.

Programs can be extended with dedicated hands-on flight training days and on-site TC Flight Reviews, so your team leaves with the certificate complete. We have delivered this program for First Nations, municipal, and corporate teams.

Who Should Attend

Organizations building an in-house drone team from the ground up, especially groups new to RPAS operations who need structured, in-person instruction rather than self-paced online study.

On-site delivery is available for groups. Minimum group sizes apply. Flight training days and flight reviews are quoted per program.

TC Advanced RPAS Flight Review

Starting at $250

In-Person | Approximately 20 Minutes per Pilot

The practical assessment required to complete your Transport Canada Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate. Conducted in person by a Transport Canada–certified Flight Reviewer, it evaluates pre-flight planning, flight execution, and emergency procedures. Flight reviews can be booked on their own or combined with the Mission Planning course or the In-Class Program for a complete one-trip certification package.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of the Transport Canada Advanced RPAS online exam.

CDA-MP-100: Mission Planning — Advanced Operations

Starting at $899

1 Day In-Class | 8 Sessions

A one-day course that turns regulatory knowledge into flyable, defensible mission plans. Students work through the full planning sequence for Advanced RPAS operations — regulations, airspace, weather, site surveys, risk assessment, and emergency procedures — and finish with hands-on scenario exercises where they build a complete mission plan and present and defend it to the instructor.

Scenarios can be tailored to your organization’s operating environment, such as mine sites, utility corridors, municipal operations, or emergency response.

What You’ll Learn

Regulatory framework for Advanced RPAS operations under CARs Part IX
Airspace classification, aeronautical charts, and authorization requirements
Aviation weather services (METAR, TAF, GFA) and go/no-go decisions
Site surveys and operational risk assessment
Mission planning, crew briefings, and flight operations
Emergency procedures and contingency planning
Practical mission planning exercises in realistic operational scenarios

Who Should Attend

Advanced Pilot Certificate holders and candidates who plan and fly operational missions for government, corporate, or industrial programs. Pairs naturally with the Advanced RPAS Online Exam Prep and a TC Flight Review, and can be delivered as a combined on-site package.

On-site delivery is available for groups. Minimum group sizes apply.

Tactical FPV & ISR Certification Program

Custom Pricing

Up to 18 Days | 3 Levels + Train-the-Trainer | 6–12 Students Recommended

Modular tactical drone training for military, law enforcement, and government organizations, delivered by a 25-year CAF veteran who commanded all drone operations in Kandahar Province.

The program runs from a 3-day Tactical Drone Awareness course through Tactical FPV Operator certification and Advanced Tactical ISR Specialist certification, with an optional Train-the-Trainer course to build permanent in-house capability. Each level stands alone or combines into a complete pipeline. Delivery is available at your facility or at Clarion’s 104-acre private training site.

Government and military purchase orders accepted. View the full program →

The Next Mission — Veteran Training Program

$5,000 + tax — fully fundable through VAC’s Education and Training Benefit

5 Days | Hosted at a Local Royal Canadian Legion

A five-day program for Canadian Armed Forces veterans that takes students from zero to a completed Transport Canada Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate — exam written on site, flight review done before they leave. Includes a full mission planning day and one year of FlightOps Pro. All instruction and flight reviews are delivered by a 25-year CAF veteran.

Sessions are booked on request when veterans in a region are ready. Learn more and check VAC eligibility →

Consulting & Program Development

Beyond our course catalog, Clarion works directly with organizations to build, certify, and grow their drone programs. We have delivered tailored programs for military units, law enforcement agencies, Indigenous communities, environmental research teams, and industrial clients across Canada and internationally.

Custom Training Programs. Tailored programs for specialized requirements — tactical ISR, FPV operations, sector-specific applications, or multi-week programs.
BVLOS Readiness Assessment (from $8,500). An expert review of your organization’s readiness for Level 1 Complex BVLOS operations and RPOC certification — people, aircraft, procedures, and documentation — with a prioritized action plan.
RPOC Documentation Package (from $3,995). Clarion’s team builds your complete 12-manual RPOC documentation suite with you, customized to your organization, aircraft, and operations — SOPs, SMS, training plan, maintenance, visual observer training, emergency response, radio communications, security, and compliance audit. Includes a structured intake interview, review and revisions, and support through your RPOC application. Pricing scales with fleet size and operational complexity.
Drone Program Setup. End-to-end support for organizations starting a drone program: fleet selection, operating procedures, RPOC, and a staff training plan.
Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program Support. Training and compliance planning for police and fire services, including SORA risk assessment and BVLOS training requirements.

bruce@clariondrones.com | 519-498-5259