FAQ

How do I get my drone training course funded by Veteran Affairs Canada?

Before you can apply for funding to support your education plan, we must first determine that you qualify. If:

you have been honourably released from the Canadian Armed Forces on or after 1 April 2006, or are a member of the Supplementary Reserve; and
you have at least 2,191 paid days of service.

You have 10 years from the date of your release (or transfer date to the Supplementary Reserve) to apply for this funding.

As this benefit was only launched on 1 April 2018 if you released between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2018 you can access funding up to 1 April 2028.

If you are eligible, follow these steps.

1 - Get a My VAC account with Veterans Affairs Canada if you don’t already have one.

2 - Once you have an account, apply for the Education and Training benefit with form VAC 1537.

3 - Once that gets approved you usually have an envelope of money that you can spend on education and training.

4 - Next, apply for the Education and Training Short Course with form VAC 1549e and include the invoice that VEdTS Inc provides to you.

5 - Once you have the money in your account, click the pay link on the invoice provided by VEdTS and make your payment. This will trigger the onboarding process.

6 - Complete the ground school and then write the Transport Canada Basic Drone Pilot and Advance Drone pilot exams online ($10 each).

7 - Attend a VEdTS Flight Training Course which includes your flight Review. You now have a Commercial Drone Pilot Licence that cost you $0 thanks to VAC.

*** It is important to apply as soon as possible because approval from VAC can take a few weeks. Please see the applicant guide for more information.

Who are the course instructors?

A team of experienced veterans leads training for the various courses. Check out our team on the About Us page.

Are serving members eligible for VAC funding?

Unfortunately, only veterans who retired after 2006 are eligible for VAC funding. Serving members and reservists are not eligible. HOWEVER, there may be other funding avenues for serving members. These are determined on a case-by-case basis. Email us to discuss potential options. letsfly@vedts.ca

Can I consult with

an advisor?

Absolutely. Send us an email at letsfly@vedts.ca with any questions you may have along with your contact preferences, and we will make sure the right person gets back to you.

Where are the courses offered?

We have courses in Winnipeg, MB, Barrie, ON, Trenton, ON, North Bay, ON, Edmonton, AB, Fredericton, NB, St. John's NL, Comox, BC, and Halifax, NS, We anticipate adding more courses and locations as demand increases.

I own a drone - do I get a discount?

If you own a drone that meets the Transport Canada requirement of a registered drone over 250 grams, we may consider applying a discount. This is determined on a case by case basis.

Will there be more classes added?

We add classes when the demand rises. If you are looking for a certain location or dates that do not line up with your circumstances, email us at letsfly@vedts.ca so we can account for your interest.

Do I need drone experience?

For the Advanced Drone Training courses, you will start with 28 hours of online ground school that will ease you into the content. No experience is required.

What if I want a different drone than is offered for the course?

In some instances, we may be able to change the type of drone. Please send us an email at letsfly@vedts.ca with the type of drone you are looking at. If it is an eligible drone for the course, at our discretion. we will send you a pricing quote for the difference.