Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate vs ROC-A: What’s the Difference?

Many Canadian drone pilots confuse the Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate with ROC-A. They sound aviation-related, and both may matter to professional operators, but they are not the same certificate and they are not issued for the same purpose.

This guide explains the difference in plain language.

Quick links: Free ROC-A Study Hub • Free ROC-A Quiz • Book ROC-A

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Quick answer

The Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate is a Transport Canada drone pilot certificate for advanced RPAS operations. ROC-A is an ISED aeronautical radio operator certificate for operating radios on aeronautical band frequencies. A drone operator may need one, both, or neither depending on the operation.

What the Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate does

Transport Canada states that drone pilots with an Advanced Operations certificate can conduct both basic and advanced operations. Advanced operations can include flying in controlled airspace with permission from air traffic control, flying closer to airports and aerodromes, and other advanced privileges when requirements are met.

Source: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/learn-rules-you-fly-your-drone/drone-operation-categories-pilot-certificates/advanced-operations

To get the Advanced certificate, Transport Canada says candidates must pass the online advanced exam, pass a flight review, and apply for the Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations.

Source: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/drone-pilot-licensing/getting-drone-pilot-certificate

What ROC-A does

ISED describes ROC-A as a radio operator certificate intended for aircraft pilots, drone operators, airport radio operators, and ground staff working on or near landing strips. It allows operation of radios on aircraft, land vehicles, or base stations using aeronautical band frequencies.

Source: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radio-authorizations/radio-operator-certification/restricted-operator-certificate-aeronautical-roc

To obtain ROC-A, ISED says candidates must pass an exam administered by an accredited examiner and should consult RIC-21 for the scope of the examination.

Sources:

• ROC-A overview: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radio-authorizations/radio-operator-certification/restricted-operator-certificate-aeronautical-roc
• RIC-21: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radiocom-information-circulars-ric/ric-21-study-guide-restricted-operator-certificate-aeronautical-qualification-roc

Simple comparison

Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate

Purpose: drone pilot operating privileges
Authority: Transport Canada
Focus: drone operations, controlled airspace eligibility, flight review, RPAS rules
Use case: flying advanced RPAS operations under applicable rules

ROC-A

Purpose: aeronautical radio operator qualification
Authority: ISED
Focus: radio procedures, phonetic alphabet, procedural words, distress and urgency communication
Use case: operating aeronautical radio equipment where required

Controlled airspace does not automatically mean ROC-A

Transport Canada says drone pilots need at least an Advanced Pilot Certificate, appropriate drone declaration, and air navigation service provider authorization to operate within controlled airspace. NAV CANADA provides NAV Drone for controlled airspace requests.

Sources:

• Where to fly your drone: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/learn-rules-you-fly-your-drone/where-fly-your-drone
• NAV CANADA Drone Flight Planning: https://www.navcanada.ca/en/flight-planning/drone-flight-planning.aspx

That is still separate from ROC-A. ROC-A becomes relevant when aeronautical radio operation is required.

Which one should you do first?

If you want to fly advanced drone operations, start with Transport Canada’s Advanced certificate path. If you need aviation radio capability or your employer/client requires aeronautical radio use, complete ROC-A as a separate step.

Where ROCALicence.com fits

ROCALicence.com handles the ROC-A side only. It helps candidates study, practise, and book the ROC-A exam from home when ready.

Helpful links

• Free ROC-A Study Hub: https://rocalicence.com/study-hub
• Free ROC-A Practice Quiz: https://rocalicence.com/quiz-1
• Book your ROC-A exam: https://rocalicence.com/roca
• Transport Canada drone safety: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety
• Transport Canada drone pilot certificate: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/drone-pilot-licensing/getting-drone-pilot-certificate
• NAV CANADA Drone Flight Planning: https://www.navcanada.ca/en/flight-planning/drone-flight-planning.aspx
• ISED ROC-A overview: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radio-authorizations/radio-operator-certification/restricted-operator-certificate-aeronautical-roc
• ISED RIC-21 ROC-A study guide: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/licences-and-certificates/radiocom-information-circulars-ric/ric-21-study-guide-restricted-operator-certificate-aeronautical-qualification-roc

Final takeaway

The Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate and ROC-A serve different purposes. Drone operators should not treat them as interchangeable. Use Transport Canada for drone pilot certification and ISED/ROCALicence.com for ROC-A radio certification.

Study ROC-A free: https://rocalicence.com/study-hub
Book ROC-A when ready: https://rocalicence.com/roca

General educational information only. Confirm the exact requirements for your intended drone operation before flying.