I thought I would create a thread with some helpful links regarding the new rules just announced this morning.
For those with really short attention spans:
Register your drone, take the exam, apply for a pilot certificate - advanced operations
Knowledge Requirements for the exam
For the whole shebang:
From the Flying your drone safely and legally - new rules page:
Flying your drone safely and legally (new rules)
These rules aren’t in effect until June 1, 2019. Take me to the current rules.
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From Transport Canada
Drones are aircraft—which makes you a pilot. When you fly your drone, you’re sharing the skies with other drones and aircraft. Before you fly, understand the rules you must follow and review our safety tips.
On this page
Legal requirements when flying drones
- Legal requirements when flying drones
- Fly your drone safely
- Penalties
- Tips for first-time pilots
- Useful terms to know
Drone pilots must follow the rules in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs). Part IX – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems contains most of the rules that apply to drones. You should read these regulations in full before you fly your drone for the first time.
Drone pilots must carry a valid drone pilot certificate and only fly drones that are marked and registered.
Respect all other laws
You must respect all other laws when flying your drone. We encourage you to read the following documents before you fly for the first time:
You must respect the privacy rights of others when you fly.
- Relevant sections of the Criminal Code, including Offences against Air or Maritime Safety, Breaking and Entering, and Mischief
- your province’s trespass act
- laws related to voyeurism and privacy
We investigate reports of unsafe flying. We may involve local police if you break other laws.
Fly your drone safely
It’s important that you fly your drone responsibly to avoid harming others. Here are the rules you need to follow.
Before you fly
While flying
- Understand your legal requirements when flying drones
- Understand the difference between basic and advanced operations
- Get the necessary knowledge requirements
- Get a drone pilot certificate
- Choose the right drone if you want to perform advanced operations
- Register your drone
- Follow your drone manufacturer’s instructions
- Survey the area where you will fly
- Take note of any obstacles, such as buildings and power lines
To keep yourself and others safe, fly your drone:
Always respect the privacy of others while flying.
- where you can see it at all times
- below 122 metres (400 feet) in the air
- away from bystanders, at a minimum distance of 30 metres for basic operations
- away from emergency operations and advertised events
- Avoid forest fires, outdoor concerts and parades
- away from airports and heliports
- 5.6 kilometres (3 nautical miles) from airports
- 1.9 kilometres (1 nautical mile) from heliports
- far away from other aircraft
- Don’t fly anywhere near airplanes, helicopters and other drones
Penalties
You could face serious penalties, including fines and/or jail time, if you break the rules.
Fines for individuals
Fines for corporations
- up to $1,000 for flying without a drone pilot certificate
- up to $1,000 for flying unregistered or unmarked drones
- up to $1,000 for flying where you are not allowed
- up to $3,000 for putting aircraft and people at risk
If you break more than one rule, you could receive multiple penalties.
- up to $5,000 for flying without a drone pilot certificate
- up to $5,000 for flying unregistered or unmarked drones
- up to $5,000 for flying where you are not allowed
- up to $15,000 for putting aircraft and people at risk
Tips for first-time pilots
Public liability insurance
- Make sure it is safe to fly (ask yourself, for example: are the batteries fully charged? Is it too cold or windy to fly?)
- Fly your drone with someone who has flown a drone before
- Fly your drone in an open space and away from people
- Fly your drone close to the ground and at a low speed
- Fly your drone during daylight and in good weather
We recommend buying public liability insurance for your drone. However, it is not required. Note that most standard home insurance policies do not cover the use of drones.
Useful terms to know
Drone and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)
We use the term “drone” on these pages to refer to any type of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). There are a number of different terms for this technology. In Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, we use the term Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems to align with our international partners.
Visual-line-of-sight (VLOS)
Visual-line-of-sight means keeping your device in sight at all times without visual aid (for example, binoculars or video feed). This means not flying into clouds or fog, or behind trees, buildings or other (even partial) obstructions.
Bystander
Bystander refers to anyone that is not directly associated with operating the drone. Among others, this excludes the pilot and crew.
Related links
Obviously some scare tactics being used to make a point to those with no common sense.
As mentioned the enforcement of these policies are much important the the policy themselves.
I was happy to see that they allow binoculars or video feed , this is where most of will struggle some as flying further out is an easy thing to do.
I did not see any rules for the hobbist , has that been abolished now and only certificate pilots can fly in there backyard. ?
Im trying to imagine a 18 year old kid getting his first drone , flying it in his back yard and a cop roles in to his drive and gets fined $5000 , those courts are going to be filled quickly.
So enforcement will be interesting, and I think maybe if that is the case than you should have to a 107 before you are able to purchase a drone.. lets hope that is not the case at all.
Obviously some scare tactics being used to make a point to those with no common sense.
As mentioned the enforcement of these policies are much important the the policy themselves.
I was very unhappy to see that they do not allow binoculars or video feed , this is where most of will struggle some as flying further out is an easy thing to do.
I did not see any rules for the hobbist , has that been abolished now and only certificate pilots can fly in there backyard. ?
Im trying to imagine a 18 year old kid getting his first drone , flying it in his back yard and a cop roles in to his drive and gets fined $5000 , those courts are going to be filled quickly.
So enforcement will be interesting, and I think maybe if that is the case than you should have to a 107 before you are able to purchase a drone.. lets hope that is not the case at all.
Can somebody say something clear about hobby operators who are the majority here? What is the difference. The rules for safe flying are nothing new.
Does this mean that everybody who have a drone should have a licence and a certificate of registration? If so then would be maybe better to quit with hobby droning.
Thanks so much. Where can I do a course?Not a silly question at all. Are you new to Aviation or just drones?
Most of the theory of flight stuff you can find in the ground school book From the Ground Up I think is the title.
If you are new to aviation and drones I'd recommend a course, particularly if you want to go for the advanced pilot certificate. I'm guessing you'll soon be able to take a course that covers the ground school and also has the flight review test included as part of the package. I did a Transport Canada approved UAV ground school course last year which covered the stuff I am hearing about on the new pilot certificate exam.
Look, the guy asked for help and I offered him a suggestion and what I did. Drop the hostility.This comes as no surprise to me! What people will be asking for is a comprehensive source where they can find the information that will help them pass an exam. You nor Transport have provided this, and, you have gone the extra distance of recommending a specific private course! What is your motivation?
It's clear I should no longer try to help you and I'm just going to leave it at that.No, you drop the pretence that you know what you are validating. You are not reading the questions asked, but seem to have the answers. Do I have credentials? Yes, have gone through both GA and ATR training years ago. Have also dealt with many people who think they know all the answers while teaching at College and University. If you don't know something, just admit it. Maybe someone will help you.
One member over at MavicPilots.com stated he had to pay for the second sitting as well.I wonder if you have to pay 10 bucks every time you take the exam if you fail the first time. If not, then I might just take a stab at it and if I fail I will buy the material suggested in order to study.
Yes you have to pay for each attempt if you fail. There is also a 24 hr waiting period before you can retake the test if you fail.I wonder if you have to pay 10 bucks every time you take the exam if you fail the first time. If not, then I might just take a stab at it and if I fail I will buy the material suggested in order to study.
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