It would seem that newer drone owners would have a harder time flying around – in Canada, that is. The government bodies regulating drone activity would soon require a pilot certificate for owners.
Pilot Certification
This pilot certificate would be necessary if your drone is over 250 grams, up to 25 kilograms. The weight requirements mean a few things. First, it would encompass nearly all recreational drones. Only the most Nano of drones, ones that barely have 5 minutes of flight time in them, would not require a license to operate. These smaller drones are more for kids and usually flown inside the house.
Airport Incidences
The increasing security measures regarding drone flight stems from the increasing number of airport incidents. Airports all over the world had to cancel flights, delay incoming planes, as well as reroute schedules because of drone sightings. Take note that there is a 1-kilometer ban around airports, where civilian drones cannot fly in. This distance increased to 5 kilometers in several areas, including the entirety of Britain. This is to avoid further cases where drones would smash into planes – either accidentally or deliberately.
Certificates and Penalties
In Canada, heavier restrictions have started as well. This drone pilot certification is only the beginning. There have been talks of putting license plates on drones, similar to cars, for faster identification of ownership. This adds more responsibility and accountability for owners – something that may prevent further misuse of these devices.
The certification would require would-be drone flyers to take tests. These check their skills in flying a drone, as well as their mentality, and background. This would filter out those who are unable to fly drones properly, or those with a history of breaking rules. The certification is expected to begin by June this year.
What’s Next?
Of course, this would make it harder to acquire drones as well as fly them. Would this be less of an incentive to get one, and cause interested users to simply not purchase a drone? Is flying a drone still worth the effort it takes to receive approval?
