Posted by Vincent Banial

Original Photo of a Drone courtesy
of the Public Domain Archive, but I modified it

Federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau announced new rules for recreational drone users in Canada, which took effect immediately.

From Transport Canada

When flying a model aircraft (recreational drone) in Canada you must:

• follow the rules of the Interim Order Respecting the Use of Model Aircraft

f you fly your drone for fun and it weighs more than 250 g and up to 35 kg, you do not need special permission from Transport Canada to fly.

Model Aircraft (recreational Drone) Operating and Flight Provisions

Prohibitions

(5) (1) A person must not operate a model aircraft
(a) at an altitude greater than 300 feet AGL;
(b) at a lateral distance of less than 250 feet (75m) from buildings, structures,    vehicles, vessels, animals and the public including spectators, bystanders or any person not associated with the operation of the aircraft;
(c) within 9 km of the centre of an aerodrome;
(d) within controlled airspace
(e) within restricted airspace;
(f) over or within a forest fire area, or any area that is located within 9 km of a forest fire area;
(g) over or within the security perimeter of a police or first responder emergency operation site;
(h) over or within an open-air assembly of persons;
(i) at night; or
(j) in cloud.

(2)  A person must not operate more than one model aircraft at a time.

Right of Way

6 A person operating a model aircraft must give way to manned aircraft at all times.

Visual Line-of-Sight

7 (1) A person operating a model aircraft must ensure that it is operated within VLOS at all times during the flight.

(2) No person shall operate a model aircraft when the aircraft is at a lateral distance of more than 1640 feet (500 m) from the person’s location.

Contact Information

8 The owner of a model aircraft shall not operate or permit a person to operate the aircraft unless the name, address and telephone number of the owner is clearly made visible on the aircraft.

Follow the basic safety rules below. Not doing so may put lives, aircraft and property at risk. If you fly where you are not allowed or choose not to follow any of the rules below, you could face fines of up to $3,000 for Individuals and up to $15,000 for Corporations.

Consult the Interim Order Respecting the Use of Model Aircraft for the full list of provisions. Members of the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) who operate at MAAC sanctioned fields or events are not subject to these rules.

Does Transport Canada approve schools that can teach me to fly my UAV safely?

We do not approve UAV training organizations or recognize certificates for UAV operations.

All UAV pilots are responsible to ensure they have the right level of knowledge, experience and skills required to safely operate. You may access UAV pilot training from sources including:

• UAV operators and manufacturers
• manned aviation flight training organizations
• third parties

Legal requirements

When flying a UAV (non-recreational drone) in Canada, you must:

• follow the rules in the Canadian Aviation Regulations:
  • section 602.41 – Unmanned air vehicles
• respect the Criminal Code, your provincial Trespass Act, as well as all applicable municipal, provincial, and territorial laws that apply

When flying a model aircraft (recreational drone) in Canada you must:

• follow the rules of the Interim Order Respecting the Use of Model Aircraft

Transport Canada inspectors investigate reports of unsafe and illegal drone use. We may involve local police if other laws (e.g., the Criminal Code and privacy laws) have been broken.

You could face serious consequences – including up to $25,000 in fines and/or jail time – if you:

• put aircraft at risk
• fly where you are not allowed
• endanger anyone’s safety

For example:

• If you fly where your drone recreationally where you are not allowed or choose not to follow any of the rules outlined in the Interim Order Respecting the Use of Model Aircraft you could face fines of up to $3,000.
• If you fly a UAV without an SFOC and should have one, we may fine up to $5,000 for a person and $25,000 for a corporation.
• If you do not follow the requirements of your SFOC, we may fine up to $3,000 for a person and $15,000 for a corporation.

New regulations

Transport Canada is developing new regulations to address the safety requirements, growing popularity, and economic importance of UAVs. Proposed changes include:

• new flight rules
• aircraft marking and registration requirements
• knowledge testing
• minimum age limits
• pilot permits for certain UAV pilots

We published a Notice of Proposed Amendment in May 2015 to highlight these changes. Canadians will be able to comment on the proposed amendments when they are published in Canada Gazette, Part 1.

Click on this Link to visit the official Canadian Gov’t website which discusses the above.