With the use of multi-rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), a.k.a. drones increasing in Canada, it’s important that you know which Canadian UAV laws apply to you before taking your drone on its first flight.
We’ve found a US based website called Airmap that might be a useful resource for mapping out where you can fly your drone. Because it’s US based, it uses FAA (American) flight restrictions, but it has Canadian cities and gives you a rough idea of where you probably shouldn’t be flying your drone.
Airmap Interactive Map https://app.airmap.io/#
Below are the basics of what you need to know before you decide to make your purchase. We suggest visiting Transport Canada’s web page on Drone Safety for more information.
More and more people are flying drones and UAVs. Transport Canada regulates their use to keep the public and other airspace users safe. Before you take to the skies, make sure you understand the rules and follow them. Not doing so could put lives at risk and cost you up to $25,000 in fines and/or jail time”. – Transport Canada Website
New rules – March 2017 – for Canadian (Recreational) UAV “Drone” Operators.
From Transport Canada:
“If 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.”“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.”
Do not fly your drone:
- higher than 90 m above the ground
- closer than 75 m from buildings, vehicles, vessels, animals, people/crowds, etc.
- closer than nine km from the centre of an aerodrome (any airport, heliport, seaplane base or anywhere that aircraft take-off and land)
- within a controlled or restricted airspace
- within nine km of a forest fire
- where it could interfere with police or first responders
- at night or in clouds
- if you can’t keep it in sight at all times
- if you are not within 500 m of your drone
- if your name, address, and telephone number are not clearly marked on your drone.
Tips for recreational drone users:
- Fly your drone during daylight and in good weather.
- Keep your drone where you can see it with your own eyes – not through an on-board camera, monitor or smartphone.
- Make sure your drone is safe for flight before take-off. Ask yourself, for example: Are the batteries fully charged? Is it too cold to fly?
- Respect the privacy of others. Avoid flying over private property or taking photos or videos without permission.
Confused? The YouTube Channel Drone Valley has put together a great video that walks us through the new regulations.
https://prophotoblog.ca/video/aerial-imaging-platforms/canadian-uav-laws/
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