What are the rules for drones in Canada?

Drones must not be flown near sites for emergency operations or special events. Drones must be flown away from bystanders, at a minimum distance of 30 meters horizontally, if conducting basic operations (as set out below). Drones must not be flown within 3 nautical miles of an airport or 1 nautical mile of a heliport.

What class airspace can drones fly in Canada?

Class G Airspace This is where RPAs can be flown without permission from NAV Canada. However, great care and attention must be paid whenever you put your drone into the air. You'll always need to follow the rules and watch out for any other air traffic in the area.

What are visual flight rules for drones?

Under the Air Traffic Regulations, these operations are conducted in favorable weather conditions.In VFR flights, the drone must always fly at a height of less than 120 meters to ensure visibility of the aircraft and line of sight , and ensure that it does not enter controlled airspace without authorization, nor affect ...

Can a Canadian drone pilot fly in the US?

All operators of foreign drones must follow the FAA's Remote ID guidelines to operate in the United States . If the foreign drone has FAA remote ID broadcasting capabilities and is registered in a country outside of the United States, then you must submit a Notice of Identification (NOI) to the FAA before you fly.

Can you fly a DJI drone in restricted airspace?

If your flight area is within a Restricted or Authorization Zone, you will likely need to unlock your drone . For Warning and Enhanced Warning Zones, unlocking is typically not required, but awareness and caution are advised.

What airspace can I fly my drone?

As a drone pilot, you can only fly 400 ft above ground level (AGL) , so you've got plenty of separation between you and Class A airspace (like, over three miles of separation, so don't sweat Class A). This is where the commercial airlines will spend most of their time when transporting passengers.

Do drones have to be flown in line of sight?

Always prioritize people's safety and avoid causing injury. Adhere to Safety Rules: Regardless of your drone's weight, you must follow all safety rules, including maintaining visual line of sight , not flying over 400ft / 120m, and respecting flight restriction zones around airfields.

What is the minimum visibility to fly a drone?

You can fly during daylight or in twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting. Minimum weather visibility is three miles from your control station .

Can I fly my drone in a park in Canada?

National parks Drone pilots are not allowed to take-off or land within a national park . A park superintendent may allow the use of drones in some cases. If you want to fly a drone in a national park, read about the use of drones at Parks Canada places and contact Parks Canada.

Can you fly your drone out of sight in Canada?

Without a special flight operations certificate (SFOC), maintaining visual line-of-sight (VLOS) while flying drones is mandatory in Canada , as it is a critical safety measure that helps to prevent accidents and allows the operator to maintain control of the drone.

Are camera drones a violation of privacy in Canada?

Privacy laws apply to photos, videos or other information collected by your drone . You're in charge of any personal information your drone collects. This can include a person's name, a photo of a person's face or a licence plate number. Don't collect personal information you don't need.

What kind of drone can I fly without a license?

Drone Size and Weight Factors In the U.S., drones weighing less than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) are exempt from registration if used recreationally. However, all drones used for commercial purposes must be registered, regardless of weight.

Operating Rules For Canadian Drone Operators - What Are They?

Maximum Altitude

According to Operating Rules, Drones in Canada must not be flown higher than 122 meters (400 feet) above ground level. This limitation is in place to avoid conflicts with manned aircraft, which often operate at higher altitudes.

General Rule: The maximum altitude for drone flights is 122 meters (400 feet) above ground level.
Altitude Exceptions: Operations requiring flights above 122 meters must obtain special permission from Transport Canada. These exceptions are generally granted for specific purposes such as surveying tall structures, conducting agricultural studies, or other specialized operations.

Importance of Compliance

Maintaining the altitude limit is crucial for ensuring the safety of both drone and manned aircraft operations. Violating this restriction can result in severe penalties and endanger air traffic.

Distance from People

Safe Distance for Basic Operations

Operators must maintain a minimum distance of 30 meters (100 feet) from bystanders for basic operations. This rule helps prevent accidents and injuries caused by drone malfunctions or pilot errors.

Advanced Operations

With an Advanced Operations Certificate, operators are allowed to fly closer to people, provided they adhere to specific safety protocols.

Close Proximity: Operators with an advanced certificate can fly drones closer than 30 meters, but must follow detailed safety measures and risk assessments.
Informed Consent: In certain cases, flying close to people is permissible if those individuals have given their informed consent and are aware of the risks.

Operational Safety

Maintaining a safe distance from people is essential to avoid injuries and ensure safe operations. Operators should always be aware of their surroundings and take preventive measures to avoid endangering bystanders.

Restricted Airspace

No-Fly Zones

Certain areas are designated as no-fly zones where drone operations are strictly prohibited. These include:

Airports: Drones must not be flown within a specified distance of airports and aerodromes to prevent interference with manned aircraft.
Heliports: Similar restrictions apply around heliports and medical evacuation sites.
National Parks: Flying drones in national parks is generally prohibited to protect wildlife and the environment.
Critical Infrastructure: Areas such as military bases, power plants, and government buildings are off-limits to drones.

Controlled Airspace

Controlled airspace is managed by NAV CANADA and requires special permissions for drone operations.

Permissions: Operators must obtain authorization from NAV CANADA to fly in controlled airspace. This includes providing flight plans and ensuring compliance with specific safety requirements.
Coordination: Communication with air traffic control (ATC) may be necessary during operations in controlled airspace.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

Temporary flight restrictions may be imposed for specific events or emergencies, such as natural disasters, VIP movements, or large public gatherings.

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs): Operators must check NOTAMs for any temporary restrictions before flying.

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)

Requirement

Operators must keep their drone within visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times without the aid of visual enhancement devices such as binoculars or telescopes.

Definition: VLOS means being able to see the drone with unaided vision throughout the flight.
Exceptions: Special permissions are required for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, which involve additional safety protocols and equipment.

Importance

Maintaining VLOS ensures that the operator can maintain control of the drone and respond quickly to any potential hazards, such as obstacles or other aircraft.

Operational Best Practices

Spotters: Using a visual observer or spotter can help maintain VLOS, especially in complex environments.
Clear View: Ensure a clear and unobstructed view of the drone during flight.

Night Operations

Lighting Requirements

Drones operated at night must have appropriate lighting to ensure they are visible and can be safely navigated.

Anti-Collision Lights: Drones must be equipped with anti-collision lights visible from at least 3 nautical miles.
Navigation Lights: Additional navigation lights may be required to maintain orientation and visibility.

Certification

Operators must hold an Advanced Operations Certificate to fly drones at night. This certification involves additional training and safety measures.

Safety Considerations

Enhanced Visual Aids: Use of enhanced visual aids, such as night-vision goggles, may be permitted with special approval.
Pre-Flight Checks: Conduct thorough pre-flight checks to ensure all lighting and equipment are functioning correctly.

Summary

Adhering to operating rules is crucial for ensuring safe and compliant drone operations in Canada. By following these guidelines, operators can minimize risks, avoid penalties, and contribute to a safer airspace. Understanding and complying with altitude limits, distance requirements, restricted airspace rules, VLOS, and night operations are essential components of responsible drone usage.

To Learn more about acronyms used in this article visit ourDrones Acronym Page.

Operating Rules For Canadian Drone Operators - What Are They? - Fly Eye (2024)