Drone Regulations
Drone pilots in Canada are cautiously optimistic about the new rules introduced by Transport Canada. Pilots will now have to register each drone they fly, and will have to pass different levels of flight tests to fly in certain situations.
CANADA'S NEW DRONE RULES
Evan Fuller has been working with drones, both as a professional and hobbyist for the last four years. In addition to flying with Winnipeg FPV racing, he also pilots for a construction company.
Across that timeframe he’s built a reputation that has allowed him to fly within a few hundred feet of landing aircraft.
“Anybody can just walk into a best buy, pickup something, and put it in the air,” he said. “[The regulations] need to be there to safeguard the public and the hobby itself.”
CANADA'S NEW DRONE RULES
Evan Fuller has been working with drones, both as a professional and hobbyist for the last four years. In addition to flying with Winnipeg FPV racing, he also pilots for a construction company.
Across that timeframe he’s built a reputation that has allowed him to fly within a few hundred feet of landing aircraft.
“Anybody can just walk into a best buy, pickup something, and put it in the air,” he said. “[The regulations] need to be there to safeguard the public and the hobby itself.”
Derek Miller, Firefighter and R/C enthusiast, launches an R/C plane at a bi-weekly flying session inside the Golf Dome.
Derek Miller is a firefighter and has flown Radio Controlled planes since 1989. The regulations make no distinction between planes and the newer quadcopters.
"We'll be able to take control of the safety of drones and the people that are flying them," he said.
Trevor Lyons flies a drone for the CBC. One of the projects he shot was flooding in New Brunswick, giving a different perspective on the disaster.
New Brunswick flood damage seen from above
“It’s going to be harder to get (certified), but once you do, you’ll be able to do more – closer to people and in controlled airspace,” he said.
Lyons is overall supportive of the regulations, but is looking for some finer details about what sort of drones will be allowed from Transport Canada.
“Everyone’s sort of waiting for the information,” he said. “If that bar is too high, people aren’t going to meet the bar, and just going to not try, if the bar is to low, then why even have a bar?”
The new Canadian drone regulations come into effect on June 1, 2019.
"We'll be able to take control of the safety of drones and the people that are flying them," he said.
Trevor Lyons flies a drone for the CBC. One of the projects he shot was flooding in New Brunswick, giving a different perspective on the disaster.
New Brunswick flood damage seen from above
“It’s going to be harder to get (certified), but once you do, you’ll be able to do more – closer to people and in controlled airspace,” he said.
Lyons is overall supportive of the regulations, but is looking for some finer details about what sort of drones will be allowed from Transport Canada.
“Everyone’s sort of waiting for the information,” he said. “If that bar is too high, people aren’t going to meet the bar, and just going to not try, if the bar is to low, then why even have a bar?”
The new Canadian drone regulations come into effect on June 1, 2019.
Videos
New Canadian Drone Regulations
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and CBC's main drone pilot share their thoughts on Canadian drone regulations and what they mean going forward.
Winnipeg FPV drone racing
Every Wednesday night, friends gather to race drones in the basement of the Nor-Villa Hotel.
Frontier School Division's drone program
Frontier School Division has implemented a new drone program that allows students the opportunity to learn more about them in classes.
R/C Planes and drone regulations
Every other Friday in winter, hobbyists in Winnipeg gather to fly R/C planes and drones inside the Golf Dome. The new Canadian drone regulations coming into effect on June 1, 2019 will affect them too.
Why introduce new regulations
Anders shows the stats that have led to the Canadian Government deciding to bring in new regulations, and what those regulations mean for rule-breakers.
Interview with commercial drone pilot Evan Fuller
Evan Fuller has flown drones commercially for both construction and video. His thoughts on the future of the industry and new Canadian regulations.