Drones and Inspections

The 250 g weight threshold was selected to mitigate the risk that a drone would pose to an aircraft and people on the ground and is consistent with the approach taken in several other countries, including the US. 

 

As your drone weighs less than 250g, you should not be registering it within the system. Registrations are only required for drones over the maximum takeoff weight of 250g. As your drone falls under the category of micro drone, you are free to fly it as you will as long as you are in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulation Website (CARs) Part IX  900.06 which states “No person shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system in such a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of any person.” This regulation applies to RPAS regardless of its weight. Operators should always be vigilant when flying in shared airspace.  

If the drone weight would increase to over 250 grams by adding extra accessories/equipment, then It has to be registered as per the Canadian Aviation Regulations, instructions regarding how to register your drone, can be found on the drone safety website.

 

The Canadian Aviation Regulation Website (CARs) Part IX does not distinguish between commercial use or recreational use.

Pilots of micro drones weighing under 250 grams are not required to obtain a drone pilot certificate but must fly in a way that does not endanger the safety of people or other aircraft. All RPAS/drone pilots (this includes drones under 250 grams) are subject to the Criminal Code as well as all provincial, territorial, and municipal laws governing areas such as privacy and trespassing.  So, if you are looking to fly over a private property or at an advertised event (with a micro drone), please be respectful and seek the consent of the property owner or the event organizer.

 

Instructions and more information, can be found on the drone safety website, Transport Canada Website and Parks Canada.

Please keep in mind various provincial, territorial or municipal rules may still apply, including those relating to privacy and trespassing. To learn more about privacy guidelines for drone users, please see Privacy guidelines for drone users, also our video Privacy and drones.

Unless authorized, micro drones cannot fly in a Class F or a 5.1 restricted airspace or in airspace that prohibits aircraft or is restricted under CAR 601.16 and 601.17 (examples of these are: Near emergency sites, Federal Parks, Niagara Falls, Parliament Hill, over prisons, forest fire areas, etc.). for a full understand to the Canadian airspace, please see… https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tc_6010_airspaceposter_e.pdf

If the airspace prohibits “aircraft” then it prohibits sub-250-gram RPAS’s too. (refer to the Designated Airspace Handbook for more additional info).   

 

Transport Canada also strongly recommends that you keep your drone below 400 feet, within your line of sight, away from people and other aircraft, and away from airports.

 

For controlled airspace, you must understand the regulations and take appropriate safety precautions before taking flight by checking The Drone site selection tool, (adjust from there the “Operation Details as less than 250g” and place the required location on the “Map Centre”). Review important guidelines, discover where you can fly, schedule flights, and request permission to fly in airspace controlled by Nav Canada.