NEW CANADIAN FEDERAL DRONE REGULATIONS LAUNCHED!
Whether you are interested in purchasing, operating and/or using a commercial drone (remotely piloted aircraft) for business purposes and/or recreation, there are new updated laws and regulations you will need to know before flying in Canada after June 1st, 2019.
Transport Canada’s stated objectives for the new regulations are to
i) create regulatory predictability for business, and
ii) reduce the risk to aviation safety caused by drones.
Rather than regulating operations based on the purpose of the drone flight, the rules introduce a permissive, risk-based approach that focuses on creating regulatory certainty for business and mitigating the safety risks posed by drones. The new set of rules are expected to create a more predictable and safer environment by imposing knowledge and training requirements on drone pilots, manufacturing standards for drones, and flight and safety procedures.
Key Features of New Regulations
#1 Operations are divided into only 2 categories: “Basic” and “Advanced” and has different legal requirements for flying. To keep yourself and others safe, fly your drone:- where you can see it at all times.
- below 122 metres (400 feet) in the air.
- away from bystanders (min. horizontal and overhead distance is stated per operation and drone requirements).
- away from emergency operations and advertised events.
- Avoid forest fires, outdoor concerts and parades.
- away from airports and heliports.
- outside controlled airspace (for basic operations only).
- far away from other aircraft.
- Don’t fly anywhere near airplanes, helicopters and other drones.
Where do you want to fly?
#2 Pilots must be certified.
- Minimum age requirements for pilots will be in place;
- Pilots must undergo a knowledge test, flight exams, and/or certification process (depending on the category of operation); and
- Recency requirements will apply to pilots conducting both basic and advanced operations.
- You could face serious penalties, including fines and/or jail time, if you break the rules.
- Pilot knowledge requirements and certification are the focus in this new permissive regime rather than the current SFOC process, which requires government approval of each individual operation; and
- SFOCs must still be obtained for certain operations (such as flights by foreign operators, drones weighing more than 25kg and drones operated beyond visual line of sight).
- Drones must be registered with Transport Canada, and display an assigned registration number or call sign.
- Insurance applicable to drone operations is now “encouraged” rather than required
- Drones used for advanced operations must comply with Standard 922 – RPAS Safety Assurance; and
- Drones previously approved by Transport Canada for operations will be “grandfathered” for the life of the equipment for use in advanced operations.
- Remember that even if pilot has secured an advanced license, depending on the type of drone equipment used, the pilot may be restricted in performing certain works in the proximity of structures and people.
Overall, the new regulations create a clearer regulatory landscape for drone operations in Canada and integrates drones into airspace and their system of air traffic management with conventional aviation. Once a pilot is certified and flying a drone that is compliant with Transport Canada’s safety standards, the operator is free to use this emerging technology as they see fit – ideally, to innovate, provide a service, and generate opportunities to modernize the way we do our work.
Apparent in the regulations is that safety is paramount for Transport Canada. With Canadian skies buzzing with five times more drone flights than conventional aviation (including commercial and cargo carriers), creating a regulatory framework to ensure drone pilots and their equipment meet safety standards is necessary.
Don’t have a license yet? Need some drone consultation for an upcoming project or business?
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Kind Regards,
Your UAViation Team