General
Why should I pick M3?
Our number one focus is to help you to become a highly skilled, proficient RPAS/UAS pilot.
M3 has been operating as a service provider in the Canadian drone industry since 2015, conducting thousands of mission hours across multiple industry niches. Matthew Johnson, our founder and primary instructor, was named one of the Top 7 Drone Visionaries in Precision Agriculture in 2018 by the Commercial UAV News. We have trained pilots in every Canadian province and territory, as well as the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia, Colombia, and many others! Find out more on our About section!
What are RPAS used for?
RPAS (drones) have a seemingly infinite number of uses. Applications of drone technology have been ever-increasing, with new breakthroughs in sensor and battery technology speeding along the innovation. We have many blog articles referencing the application of drone technology!
Do I need certification?
If you operate a drone that weighs more than 250g in Canada, you will need to have a pilot certificate for RPAS, which comes in the form of either a Basic or Advanced RPAS pilot certificate. Our program has been designed to provide the essentials to pass the Transport Canada exam and Flight Review processes.
Is there a future for drones?
Drones are here to stay, whether people like it or not. They are too useful of a tool to be “banned” by governments. They have become critical tools in many applications they are used for, such as Search and Rescue. We are just on the cusp of a massive development in the industry, as drones start to be used more and more beyond visual line of sight.
Drones will continue to become larger, as well as smaller, and the innovation that is taking place will likely see developments towards transport and passenger-carrying drones.
Are there careers for people passionate by drones?
There are entrepreneurial opportunities in almost every major industry for people to find, or create employment. Agriculture, Archaeology, Architecture, Conservation, Construction, Education, Engineering, Environmental Science, Marketing, Mining / Natural Resources, Public Services, Real Estate, Surveying, Transportation, Utilities… to name a few industries that are being revolutionized by drone applications.
What drones are better?
There are different drones for different jobs, requiring different piloting skill sets. Sometimes the drone itself is the simplest component, and the sensor on the drone is the piece that decides which is better or best.
Training
What types of RPAS Ground School training are there?
We have training for the pilot who wants to complete very complex types of operations, as well as training for the pilot who mostly enjoys flying the drone for the pure enjoyment of flying the drone and the beautiful images you can capture with it.
Is RPAS Ground School training mandatory?
The training is not a legal requirement, as it used to be, and is freely available on the internet. Our program took over 1000 hours to develop. We offer new value to our members regularly, providing new learning opportunities and training materials on a monthly basis. We provide you with the knowledge base to pass the Transport Canada Advanced RPAS pilot certification exam. We regularly hear back from our members that they have been able to pass the exam on the first try! Check out some what our students have to say!
Are the courses approved by Transport Canada?
M3 is one of the schools on the Transport Canada list of compliant RPAS Ground Schools.
Do you offer flight training on RPAS?
Yes, see our Flight Training section!
I have a disability, can I still participate in courses?
Of course! And even better, there are no medical category declarations or standards from Transport Canada for RPAS pilots at this time, which means having a disability will not stop you from flying a RPAS!
Do I need my own drone to participate in Ground School?
You do not need to own a drone, or even have flown a drone in order to take the training. The training is to prepare you to pass the Transport Canada Advanced RPAS pilot certification exam, as well as to become a proficient, capable and successful RPAS pilot. You will learn about best practices, equipment and software, and about the industry in general.
Where do you offer courses?
Due to COVID-19 events, we are now offering live webinars and self-learning courses. Discover all our courses now!
Right now, due to COVID-19 events, we are only offering training via Live Webinar Training Sessions. These sessions run multiple times a week and are open to any current students. See our upcoming schedule on our Live Webinar Ground School web page.
Online Courses
How long do I have access to the online course materials?
When you sign up for one of our training programs, you will be granted access to the M3 Members Area, membership in the FlyWithM3 Pilot Network, and continuous access for 1 year to the study materials.
Are courses applicable and available outside of Canada?
Yes! Our online courses will not only provide you with valuable information to help you run a high quality drone operation, but the knowledge you will gain will enable you to pass most entrance-level RPAS examinations in any of the 191 ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) states around the world!
Examination
Where can I take the Transport Canada exams?
You can register for the online examinations here: Take a drone pilot online exam
Each exam cost 10$ CAD and can be done 24/7!
Do I need to register my drone?
In Canada, all drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) with a maximum takeoff weight of 250 grams (g) up to and including 25 kilograms (kg) must be registered. The cost is 5$ per drone and you can do so here!
What is the difference between the Basic Operations exam and the Advanced Operations exam?
The Advanced Operations exam covers all the topics from the Basic Operations exam, and then some. The body of knowledge for Advanced Operations allows you to take your understanding of flight operations further. M3 has you covered with our ground school no matter the exam you decide to take on.
What is a flight review?
The flight review is the last step to obtain your Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations. It consists of a session where a flight reviewer will confirm your ability to operate your drone safely. M3 offers Flight Reviews across Canada. More information here!
Regulations
Do I still require an SFOC?
Transport Canada implemented the requirement for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) several years ago to respond to the rapidly increasing usage rates of RPAS in Canada. Until June 1st of 2019, it was mandatory for all commercial RPAS operators to possess a SFOC which outlined where, when, and how they were able to operate.
As of June 1st, however, Transport Canada has released the new Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, which has effectively removed the blanket requirement for SFOCs. Do they still exist? Yes, but you will only require an SFOC if you wish to operate an RPAS under certain conditions. Find out the latest requirements here.
Account & Payment
Do I need to sign up for an account to access the courses?
As all our courses include an online component, ad as such, signing up is mandatory to ensure you can access the content on our platform.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept most major credit cards.
Do you offer discounts?
We offer active military and veterans a discount on all our courses. Contact us today for more information!
We also have various promotions throughout the year! Sign up for our newsletter below to receive the latest details!