Safety

Flying an unmanned aircraft?

Click here to check out Transport Canadas Drone Safety Website

 

Flying your drone safely and legally

Whether you fly your drone for fun, or for work or research, you must put safety first. This page helps you understand how to fly your model aircraft (drone) or unmanned air vehicle (UAV) in the safest way possible, according to the right guidelines and rules.

Rules for recreational drones

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.

Always follow the basic Do’s and Don’ts for flying your drone safely and legally.

Fly your drone:

  • below 90 m above the ground
  • at least 30 m away from vehicles, vessels, and the public (if your drone weighs more than 250 g up to 1 kg)
  • at least 75 m away from vehicles, vessels, and the public (if your drone weighs more than 1 kg up to 35 kg)
  • at least 5.5 km away from aerodromes (any airport, seaplane base, or areas where aircraft take-off and land)
  • at least 1.8 km away from heliports or aerodromes used by helicopters only
  • outside of controlled or restricted airspace
  • at least 9 km away from a natural hazard or disaster area
  • away from areas where operation could interfere with police or first responders
  • during the day and not in clouds
  • within your sight at all times
  • within 500 m of yourself or closer
  • only if clearly marked with your name, address, and telephone number

Model aircraft hobbyists that belong to a recognized association, such as the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC), have a proven track record of operating safely. Following the MAAC safety guidelines and practices is also considered an acceptable way of ensuring you fly safely.

Tips for recreational drone users (drones under 250 g)

  • 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.

What if I am flying my drone for work or research? Do other rules apply?

If you fly a UAV for work or research, or if your UAV weighs more than 35 kg, you must get a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) that tells you how and where you can use your UAV

Does Transport Canada approve schools that can teach me to fly my UAV safely?

Transport Canada does not recognize certificates issued by UAV training organizations or approve such organizations. All UAV pilots are responsible for ensuring they have a satisfactory level of knowledge, experience and skill to fly safely and legally.

The training to safely operate a UAV system is offered by many sources, including UAV operators, manufacturers, manned aviation flight training organizations, or third parties.

The approach to training, however, should be similar to the one taken for manned aviation since fundamental knowledge, experience, and skills are basic requirements to assure a safe and effective operating environment for all airspace users.

When flying a UAV (non-recreational drone) in Canada, you must:

  • follow the rules in the Canadian Aviation Regulations:
  • respect the Criminal Code, your provincial Trespass Act, as well as all applicable municipal, provincial, and territorial laws that apply

When flying a model aircraft (recreational drone) in Canada you must:

Transport Canada inspectors investigate reports of unsafe and illegal drone use. We may involve local police if other laws (e.g., the Criminal Code and privacy laws) have been broken.

You could face serious consequences – including up to $25,000 in fines and/or jail time – if you:

  • put aircraft at risk
  • fly where you are not allowed
  • endanger anyone’s safety

For example:

  • If you fly your drone recreationally where you are not allowed or choose not to follow any of the rules outlined in the Interim Order Respecting the Use of Model Aircraft you could face fines of up to $3,000.
  • If you fly a UAV without an SFOC and should have one, we may fine up to $5,000 for a person and $25,000 for a corporation.
  • If you do not follow the requirements of your SFOC, we may fine up to $3,000 for a person and $15,000 for a corporation.

New regulations

Transport Canada is developing new regulations to address the safety requirements, growing popularity, and economic importance of UAVs. Proposed changes include:

  • new flight rules
  • aircraft marking and registration requirements
  • knowledge testing
  • minimum age limits
  • pilot permits for certain UAV pilots

We published a Notice of Proposed Amendment in May 2015 to highlight these changes. Canadians will be able to comment on the proposed amendments when they are published in Canada Gazette, Part 1.