What's the word on flying drones over Niagara Falls
- Thread starter kSilva
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2015
- Messages
- 70
- Reaction score
- 16
- Age
- 55
Folks, thought I would chime in here:
Flying over the falls, even in an RC aircraft, is essentially illegal below 3500ft ASL. Flying above that, you must announce your entry into a defined pattern over the falls, and follow VFR rules (which you can't do with your phantom)
It is called the Niagara Falls Flight Restrictions Area, and in Canada the rules apply to both civil and model aviation.
The appeal of the Falls attracts many aircraft, but not the least of which are the high volume of sightseeing helicopters in the area. There are helipads on both the US and Canadian side less than a mile from the falls. Each have a set pattern to follow, and expect free airspace (this extends from a midair collision many years ago).
To operate your drone in this area will get you a talking to at best, or criminal charges at worst. You can also face fines from Niagara Parks if you crash your drone into the falls (up to $10,000).
This restriction is in place for all aircraft from 0 to 3500 ASL. Again, Transport Canada does not give any special authority to remote controlled aircraft at any altitude, but offers guidelines for safe operation in other areas. Those guidelines do not supersede the flight restrictions in effect.
Similar restrictions are in effect on the US side as well.
If you wish to fly over the falls, contact Transport Canada to obtain permission first.
Fly safe.
https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp185-3-10-regulations-5827.htm
Flying over the falls, even in an RC aircraft, is essentially illegal below 3500ft ASL. Flying above that, you must announce your entry into a defined pattern over the falls, and follow VFR rules (which you can't do with your phantom)
It is called the Niagara Falls Flight Restrictions Area, and in Canada the rules apply to both civil and model aviation.
The appeal of the Falls attracts many aircraft, but not the least of which are the high volume of sightseeing helicopters in the area. There are helipads on both the US and Canadian side less than a mile from the falls. Each have a set pattern to follow, and expect free airspace (this extends from a midair collision many years ago).
To operate your drone in this area will get you a talking to at best, or criminal charges at worst. You can also face fines from Niagara Parks if you crash your drone into the falls (up to $10,000).
This restriction is in place for all aircraft from 0 to 3500 ASL. Again, Transport Canada does not give any special authority to remote controlled aircraft at any altitude, but offers guidelines for safe operation in other areas. Those guidelines do not supersede the flight restrictions in effect.
Similar restrictions are in effect on the US side as well.
If you wish to fly over the falls, contact Transport Canada to obtain permission first.
Fly safe.
https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp185-3-10-regulations-5827.htm
Last edited:
I have emailed both transport Canada and nuagara parks and no one seems to want to help and they put up hurdles to deter people.
Does anyone know the right process or forms or documents to complete to apply for permission to fly a phatom over the falls? Or is it completely prohibited because of the airspace on both sides? This is non commercial, individual for fun.
Has anyone actually applied in general for permission for anything and how did you do it (Canada)?
M
Does anyone know the right process or forms or documents to complete to apply for permission to fly a phatom over the falls? Or is it completely prohibited because of the airspace on both sides? This is non commercial, individual for fun.
Has anyone actually applied in general for permission for anything and how did you do it (Canada)?
M
- Joined
- May 4, 2016
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 1
- Age
- 55
Thought I'd ad my 2 cents. As of this year (2016) recreational users (and commercially within the exemptions - ie Phantoms etc) it is illegal to fly a drone within 5 MILES of any town or built up area in Ontario. That means there actually has to be 10 miles or more between 2 towns to legally fly recreationally or under exemptions without an SFOC from Transport Canada.(The law actually states "built up area". Ontario defines a built up area as a crossroads, hamlet, 10 buildings within a 500 meter distance or 4 buildings within 1 hectare. All the best trying to fly under the exemptions with that!)
Such flyers are also prohibited from flying within 5 miles of any airport.
That's right....MILES...not kms. Now the 2 Niagara Falls Airports Ontario are more than 5miles away from the falls, but helicopter tours for Niagara Falls commences less than 5 miles...so you're illegal. (Suprphreak touched more on that) On top of that your'e still illegally flying within city limits without an SFOC. Under exempyions or recreationally you can't fly over streets, people or vehicles, buildings and animals that are not involved in the shoot under exemptions. That being said, flying over the falls without an approved SFOC in such an area means you can get fined and or cuffed and escorted away on a a number of different grounds. On top of that, you'd actually have to look into the restricted airspace aspect because of the power generating stations as well!! There's a ton of illegal flying in Ontario...and those flyers are playing Russian Roulette. The laws are clear, they're clearly posted on Transport Canada's site...and it's the flyers responsibility to know those laws. I've heard guys say "I don't need an SFOC because I fly under the exemptions". Read the actual exemptions. Unless you're somewhere up in the Northern Ontario with nothing around, including moose, you can't fly under the exemptions in Ontario. But hey...if you're rich, can pay the fines, have no life and might enjoy a little jail time....then giv-er! lol ;-)
Last edited:
As a civilian I wouldn't even think to fly there. We took a helicopter tour there last year and we flew pretty low. There are always helicopters flying there. I think you'd just be asking for trouble one way or another.
is it a national park? if so its a no go and do aircraft fly there if so , you should check your dji go app or call the atc probably not a good idea to many people
Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots mobile app
- Joined
- May 4, 2016
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 1
- Age
- 55
I just wanted to clarify my post beginning "Thought I'd ad my 2 cents"
I mentioned recreational flyers in the same context as commercial flyers flying under exemptions. The guidelines for recreational flyers aren't exactly the same.
Please refer to this link for a more accurate guideline for both recreational users and flyers wanting to fly under exemptions. Again...apologies for including recreational flyers in the same context.
drone laws canada
I mentioned recreational flyers in the same context as commercial flyers flying under exemptions. The guidelines for recreational flyers aren't exactly the same.
Please refer to this link for a more accurate guideline for both recreational users and flyers wanting to fly under exemptions. Again...apologies for including recreational flyers in the same context.
drone laws canada
I find it hard to believe you can fly a drone over Niagara Falls. There has to be some kind of guidance or we would see hundreds of videos on Youtube. How many helicopter tour companies fly up and down that area. Good luck! 
Restricted airspace I would think with Rainbow Helicopter Tours being right there. Check your sectional charts also. Airspace is also becoming more regulater.
Yes. Niagara Falls has been a SFRA / TFR for over 15 years. See 14 CFR 93.71
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title14-vol2/pdf/CFR-2011-title14-vol2-part93-subpartE.pdf
Similar threads
