What RPAS Centre does

RPAS Centre is a Canadian drone training and certification platform headquartered in Markham, Ontario, serving individual drone pilots and small commercial operators pursuing Transport Canada RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) credentials. The platform combines free introductory courseware (Basic, Advanced, and Flight Reviewer) with a paid advanced catalog including photogrammetry, ROC-a, photography, Level 1 Complex, and Live Exam Prep, priced between approximately $99 and $1,500.

Core technology centers on the proprietary RPAS WILCO mobile application for iOS and Android, which delivers flight planning, regulatory compliance tools, and access to the company's certified flight reviewer network. The platform integrates Nav Canada airspace data for compliance functionality, Stripe for payments, and Eventbrite for live training event registration. Underlying courseware was developed by airline pilots and is aligned with Transport Canada certification standards.

The business model is freemium: a broad free tier drives top-of-funnel acquisition, with conversion into paid courses as the primary monetization lever. Go-to-market combines direct-to-pilot online course sales with a distributed network of 200+ certified flight reviewers, 30+ MAAC club partnerships, and 10+ regional training partners spanning provinces from British Columbia to New Brunswick. The company reports 4,000+ pilots trained cumulatively and operates as a private entity with no public funding disclosed.

Name

RPAS Centre

Legal name

RPAS Centre

Website

https://rpascentre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RPAS Centre is a Canadian drone training platform offering Transport Canada-aligned RPAS certification courses, a proprietary RPAS WILCO mobile app for flight planning, and a network of 200+ certified flight reviewers serving individual pilots and small commercial operators nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Drone Pilot Training & Certification

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Drone pilot training
• Drone certification courses
• Flight planning software
• Remote pilot education
• RPAS WILCO app

Headquarters

HQ city

North York

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Freemium Core Training: Free Basic, Advanced, and Flight Reviewer certification prep courses provide free training to Canadian drone pilots. These free courses drive user acquisition and market penetration, with the value proposition being completely free Transport Canada-aligned training created by airline pilots and certified instructors.
2. Level 1 Complex Ground School: $99 one-time fee for 20-hour online ground school with instructor-led checkpoint sessions, providing access to Level 1 Complex certification preparation for BVLOS operations.
3. ROC-a Certification: $100 + tax for Restricted Operator Certificate – Aeronautical exam preparation and official examination with ISED accredited examiners.
4. Live Exam Preparation: $1500 + tax for 2-day intensive 8-lesson live instructor-led course covering all Transport Canada exam topics. Enterprise discount available.
5. Photogrammetry Theory: $899 + tax for online video lessons covering basics of mapping, drone photogrammetry, and Pix4D data processing.
6. Photogrammetry Practical: $1049 + tax for full-day field course in Southern Ontario with hands-on Pix4D applications under instructor mentorship.
7. Photography Theory: $150 + tax for drone photography and videography masterclass covering flight planning, camera settings, and post-processing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RPAS Centre provides free and paid online drone pilot training courses aligned with Transport Canada certification requirements, covering Basic, Advanced, and Level 1 Complex pathways. The platform also offers the proprietary RPAS WILCO mobile app for drone flight planning, site surveys, compliance, and connecting pilots with a network of 200+ certified flight reviewers across Canada.

Product overview

RPAS Centre operates as a dual-platform business: the main RPAS Centre website (rpascentre.com) serves as Canada's leading free drone training hub with certification pathways and flight reviewer booking, while the RPAS Academy (academy.rpascentre.com) delivers the actual e-learning courses through video lessons, mock exams, and workbooks. The companion RPAS WILCO mobile app extends the ecosystem by providing drone site surveys, flight planning tools, and access to a network of 200+ certified flight reviewers. The free course offerings include Basic Pilot Certification, Advanced Pilot Certification, Flight Review Preparation, and a Drone Pilot Starting Guide eBook. Paid courses span ROC-a Certification ($100), Photography Theory ($150), Level 1 Complex Ground School ($99), Live Exam Preparation ($1,500), Photogrammetry Theory ($899), and Photogrammetry Practical ($1,049). The platform also offers an advanced Flight Reviewer Affiliation Certification pathway for pilots seeking to become certified examiners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RPAS WILCO: Mobile application for drone site surveys, flight planning, and flight reviewer network access
• RPAS Centre Academy

Products and services

• Basic Pilot Certification Course Free online course preparing Canadian drone pilots for the Transport Canada Basic Pilot Certificate exam. Covers air law, safety, meteorology, navigation, and flight operations. Includes video lessons, practice quizzes, downloadable workbooks, and RPAS Centre completion certificate.
• Advanced Pilot Certification Course Free online course preparing pilots for the Transport Canada Advanced Operations exam. Covers advanced navigation, regulations, human factors, and meteorology with scenario-based lessons and mock exams. Includes RPAS Centre Advanced Certificate upon completion.
• Level 1 Complex Pilot Certification Pathway Free training pathway for pilots advancing to BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) missions and complex airspace operations. Includes advanced navigation, regulations, BVLOS procedures, scenario-based lessons, and mission planning. Awards RPAS Centre Complex Certification.
• Drone Flight Review Training Course Free preparation course designed by RPAS instructors and professional pilots to help candidates pass their Transport Canada Flight Review. Includes specialized training, SOP guidance, risk assessment, and evaluation skills. Awards RPAS Centre Reviewer Certificate.
• Level 1 Complex Ground School Paid online ground school ($99 one-time fee) providing 20 hours of training for Level 1 Complex certification preparation for BVLOS operations. Includes 30 days access, 10 video lesson sections, and mandatory live instructor-led checkpoint sessions.
• ROC-a Certification Course Paid course ($100 + tax) covering ISED RIC-21 requirements for the Restricted Operator Certificate - Aeronautical. Includes self-paced video content, end-of-course mock exam, 90 days access, and official ROC-a examination with ISED accredited examiner.
• Live Exam Preparation Course Live instructor-led 2-day course ($1,500 + tax) with 8 lessons covering all Transport Canada exam topics including air law, RPAS systems, human factors, meteorology, navigation, flight operations, and radiotelephony. Enterprise discount available. Includes accompanying workbook.
• Photography Theory Course Masterclass course ($150 + tax) covering drone photography and videography, from flight planning and camera settings to post-processing. Designed for pilots seeking to develop professional aerial imaging skills.
• Photogrammetry Theory Course Course ($899 + tax) teaching basics of mapping, drone photogrammetry, and data processing using Pix4D for geosurveying and geomatics applications. Includes end-of-course exam and assignment.
• Photogrammetry Practical Course Full-day field course ($1,049 + tax) in Southern Ontario providing hands-on photogrammetry training with Pix4D under instructor mentorship. Requires Transport Canada RPAS Pilot Certified status and completion of Photogrammetry Theory course.
• RPAS WILCO Mobile Application Free mobile app for iOS and Android providing drone site surveys, flight planning, drone fleet management, automated flight logs, and Transport Canada regulation compliance. Integrates official Nav Canada data and connects pilots with a network of 200+ certified flight reviewers across Canada.
• Drone Flight Reviewer Network Network of 200+ certified and verified Transport Canada flight reviewers across Canada accessible via RPAS WILCO app for booking flight reviews. Connects pilots with local reviewers for certification and renewal needs.
• Flight Reviewer Affiliation Certification Pathway Advanced certification pathway for experienced pilots to become Transport Canada certified flight reviewers and join the RPAS Centre reviewer network. Includes specialized training, SOP guidance, risk assessment, and evaluation skills development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ pilots trained
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• DROCITYcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Based in Toronto, ON, DROCITY develops advanced drone solutions including charging stations, automation systems, and drone delivery services. Provides Advanced RPAS Flight Reviews, Level 1 Complex Operations training, and professional drone training services. Has trained 100+ pilots with 20+ instructors.
• Sky Lens StudioscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Sky Lens Studios, based in Oakville, Ontario, is an RPAS Centre-approved training partner providing Advanced RPAS Flight Reviews conducted by TC-sanctioned Flight Reviewer Scott Ashby. Also provides ROC-A examiner services (accredited by ISED Canada) and Level 1 Complex Operations training. Offers 10-40% discount on RPAS WILCO with promo code SLS10.
• Drone Services of the Americas (DSOA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025DSOA, based in Cornwall, Ontario, provides Advanced RPAS Flight Reviews by TC-approved reviewers with extensive experience in emergency response, industrial inspections, and aerial mapping. Offers flexible scheduling, same-day results, and pre-review coaching.
• Trunk Monkey Drone ServicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Veteran-owned drone training provider based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, led by certified Advanced Flight Reviewer John Bergen. Specializes in veteran and first-responder training pathways with ROC-A examiner capabilities. Provides low-stress, professional flight reviews.
• CPR Drone Training & ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Based in Gatineau, QC with easy access to Ottawa. Led by Steve Charpentier, former Canadian Forces helicopter pilot with 5,000+ flight hours and 45 years aviation experience. Provides Basic, Advanced, and Level 1 Complex flight reviews with bilingual service option.
• West Coast RPAScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Professional drone training organization based in Kelowna, BC serving the Okanagan region. Provides Advanced RPAS Flight Reviews, ROC-A examiner services (accredited by ISED Canada), and Level 1 Complex flight reviews. Over 10 years industry experience with DPAC membership.
• FLYMEMORcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Based in Pickering, Ontario, led by Mustafa Mohammed. Provides Advanced RPAS Flight Reviews with mentorship program covering Transport Canada flight review rubric, weather interpretation, mock flight reviews, and operational decision-making. Also offers SFOC applications and SOP development services.
• In Flight Robotics Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Based in Golden, BC, specializing in high-accuracy aerial mapping, inspections, and LiDAR solutions for challenging environments across Western Canada. Provides Advanced and Level 1 Complex Flight Reviews with mountain and steep terrain flying expertise and emergency services experience.
• Heightened Perspectives GlobalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Drone services company based in Greater Toronto Area, led by Transport Canada licensed pilot and certified RPAS Flight Reviewer Charles Walters. Offers Advanced and L1C Flight Reviews for pilots across Halton, Peel, Hamilton, Niagara Region, and surrounding GTA areas.
• xdronescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Based in White Rock, British Columbia, providing Advanced RPAS Flight Reviews with international RPAS experience. Led by commercial pilot with practical, real-world focus on safe flying, airspace awareness, and sound decision-making. Serving Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• UAV Coach: UAV Coach is an online drone training and certification prep platform offering courses, study guides, and a community forum. It competes in the same niche of regulator-aligned, self-paced drone pilot education.
• Drone U: Drone U (formerly Drone Multirotors) provides online drone training, mapping/photogrammetry courses, and commercial drone operator education. Its focus on commercial applications and Pix4D-style workflows closely parallels RPAS Centre's paid photogrammetry track.
• Drone Launch Academy: Drone Launch Academy provides online drone pilot training and Part 107 exam preparation with a self-paced course catalog. It mirrors RPAS Centre's freemium-to-paid certification pathway structure and targets the same hobbyist-to-commercial pilot journey.
• Pilot Institute: Pilot Institute is a US-based online drone training platform offering Part 107 certification prep courses and an active pilot community. It is the closest international analog to RPAS Centre, running a similar free-plus-paid e-learning model aligned with national aviation regulator curricula.

Others

• Pix4D: Pix4D is the photogrammetry software platform explicitly referenced in RPAS Centre's paid Photogrammetry Theory and Practical courses. It is an enabling/ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, with potential for deeper training or certification co-marketing.

Emerging players

• Aloft (formerly Kittyhawk): Aloft provides drone airspace management, flight planning, and fleet operations software with LAANC and UTM integrations. Its overlap with RPAS WILCO on flight planning and compliance tooling makes it a relevant emerging competitor in the North American drone ops software stack.
• AirData UAV: AirData UAV offers flight logging, fleet management, and analytics for drone pilots and operators. Like RPAS WILCO, it provides pilots with automated flight logs and pre/post-flight tools, positioning it as a partial functional competitor for the app side of the business.

Broad incumbents

• DJI Academy: DJI is the dominant global drone OEM and operates DJI Academy and related training programs for its hardware ecosystem. As a broad incumbent, DJI represents the largest potential competitive threat with subsidization capacity well beyond RPAS Centre's resources.

Regional players

• Canadian Aviation Training Academy (CATA-style Canadian flight schools): Established Canadian aviation training academies offer manned pilot certification pathways and increasingly integrate RPAS/drone modules. They represent a regional cross-modal competitor with broader aviation training catalogs and physical infrastructure advantages.
• Northern Drone Training (Canadian drone training providers): Canadian regional drone training providers (e.g., Drone Schools of Canada, M3 Aerial, and other Transport Canada-approved RPAS training organizations) compete in the same domestic market for in-person flight reviews and Advanced/Level 1 Complex training. They represent the closest direct regional competition to RPAS Centre's paid SKUs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rpascentre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rpascentre
• Facebookfacebook.com/rpascentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rpascentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/rpascentre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RPAS Centre