The Canadian Government will soon apply new requirements for drones, mostly recreational ones. The new regulations apply to unmanned aircraft systems that weight between 250 g to 25kg, are handled within visual-line-of-sight, and have recreational, work or research purposes.
As the Transport Minister of Canada’s official website tells, the new regulations are “easy-to-follow,” balanced, and they support the innovation and safe recreational use.
The new laws will add three new categories of drones. Each of them is mainly based on the size of the drone, the pilot, and the area where the device is operated.
Here are the new requirements for each specific category:
1. Very Small Drone Operations
These are the most used drones and there’s a great chance that your drone fits into this group. They weigh between 250 g to 1 kg.
The rules:
- Pilots have to be at least 14 years old
- Mark the drone with the pilot’s legal name and some contact information
- Pass a test of basic knowledge about drones
- Have liability insurance
… and fly at least:
- 5.5 km from airports
- 1.85 km from heliports
- 30 m from people
2. Limited operations (rural)
These are still small drones that have between 1 kg and 25 kg. This group is used mostly in rural areas for agricultural purposes, natural resources, wildlife surveys, etc.
The rules:
- Pilots have to be at least 16 years old
- Mark the drone with the pilot’s legal name and some contact information
- Pass a test of basic knowledge about drones
- Have liability insurance
.. and fly at least:
- 5.5 km from airports
- 1.85 km from heliports
- 150 m from open-air assemblies of people (i.e. outdoor concerts)
- 75 m from people, vehicles, vessels
- 1 km from built-up areas
3. Complex operations (urban)
This group consists of drones that weight more than 1 kg to 25 kg. They are for users who are willing to fly them in cities, within controlled airspace or close to other flying machines like helicopters, airplanes, etc.
The rules:
- Pilot must be at least 16 years old
- Pilot permit for small drones needed
- Have liability insurance
- Mark the drone with the pilot’s legal name and some contact information that Transport Canada provides
- Follow a set of flight rules
- The drone design must meet a design standard
- Need approval from near air traffic control if the drone flies in controlled airspace or near aerodromes
- Fly at least: 150 m from open-air assemblies of people (i.e. outdoor concert) unless at least 90 m high, 30 m from people, vehicles, vessels
The Government of Transport Canada is willing to accept comments from Canadian drone users. From October 13, 2017, you can join online seminaries to discuss drones, or attend a regulatory engagement session that takes place across Canada. You can also submit your feedback via an email.
Key concepts
The pilot permit is given to people that pass an online examination. The exam will ensure that you have enough knowledge to operate a flying device safely.
The pilots will also need a basic written knowledge test in order to be given the permit. The test takes place at a ground or flight training school that is authorized to deliver the exam to the government or at a Transport Canada office. The cost of the exam is yet to be determined.
Registration
The registration is needed only for pilots that want to fly the devices in urban areas, within controlled airspace or close to airports. There will also be a fee for registering drones. The price is yet to be set.
Marking
There are two proposed ways of marking a drone, depending on the group you operate under:
- The small drones will be marked with basic owner information like name, contact info, address, etc.
- The complex operations group will have to register the device and mark it with the registration marks that are provided at Transport Canada.
Liability insurance
The pilots who fly a device that weighs more than 250 g for any purpose need to be insured via a liability insurance provider for at least $100,000.
Seems balanced enough. At least it prevents more drones crashing because of untrained pilots.
These rule are applicable. i like them, they are there mostly for the safety of other elements.
It a good step in a great direction so that there wouldn’t be any abuse in the use of these recreational drones.I totally agree with the payment of fees and of course the insurance of the drones.
It will be a very good for the country of Canada that they’re giving consideration about using drones. The idea of examinations for drone users is the best thing to do, to avoid any accidents or unavoidable circumstances that might endanger the lives of the people of Canada.
I wonder when the United States will bring out its own set of rules about drone usage. It is high time. Canada’s rules are balanced and accommodate for safe usage. I like it very much.
It’s interesting that there are different ages and requirements for each drone. It seems like drones are becoming more mainstream when each of them needs to be classified. I wonder what the consequences are for misuse of each device.
It seems to me that these things are treated as toys yet its not!!! If that is the case why is it here? It sure aint military or law enforcement so what gives?
this rules being implemented is a good thing. drones are really amazing
The rules are not bad. Actually they are very realistic. I like the persons behind the making of the rules. Drones have to be taken serious like this.
I think it’s great that they’re doing this. With great drone advantageous use comes great responsibility!
It is not a bad idea creating laws to regulate the use of drones. But i actually thought drones was used only on a professional level?
It is not a bad idea creating laws to regulate the use of drones. But i actually thought drones were used only on a professional level?