Provincial Drone Flight Regulations in Canada
Canada introduced new drone regulations in 2019, which have given more clear-cut guidelines for recreational drone use. These regulations are intended to make the airspace in Canada safer for crewed aircraft. It is also intended to offer law enforcement officials less ambiguity with regards to rules, regulations and fines. In this article, we aim to explain what regulations and precautions you need to take when legally flying a drone in Canada.
Drone regulations are federally enforced by the Minister of Transport/Transport Canada, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and law enforcement agencies serviced with the jurisdiction in Canada. This includes provincial police services in Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as city police such as the Vancouver Police Department, and the Toronto Police Service. Remember that although drone legislation is enforced at the federal level, it is wise to keep in mind that each Canadian province or city may have specific rules regarding where pilots can fly their drones and how they use them. The federal government makes the rules and regulations over Canadian airspace; however, both federal and provincial governments impose these laws.
What do I need to fly a drone in Canada?
If your drone is less than 250g then you do not need a certification or license to fly your drone in Canada. However, you will need to follow the recommended guidelines as you still may be subject to breaking other laws within the Criminal Code of Canada. Be sure to check your province’s trespass act and laws about privacy and voyeurism. Even with a small drone, individual fines can range from $1000-3000 as well as potential criminal implications.
If you are flying a drone that is between 250g and 25kg in Canada, you will need to obtain either a ‘Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations’ or a ‘Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations’ from Transport Canada Civil Aviation to legally fly a drone in Canada.
How do I get a Basic Drone Operations Certificate in Canada?
You will need to be at least 14 years old to obtain a basic operations certificate to fly a drone in Canada.
The Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations can be fully obtained online through the Transport Canada Aviation webpage by paying a fee and taking a multiple-choice test. This test will have 35 questions and will need to be completed within the 90-minute timeframe. You will need to obtain a passing grade of at least 23/35.
This test will need a decent amount of study as sections include:
- Air Law, Air traffic rules, procedures
- RPAS airframes, power plants, propulsion and systems
- Human Factors
- Meteorology
- Navigation
- Flight operations
- Theory of flight
- Radiotelephony
If you fail the Basic Operations test, you can try again after 24 hours. The test isn’t easy, especially if you are not familiar with drones, so it is highly recommended that you attend a drone flight school. There are numerous options available in most major cities across Canada. You can also check out https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/find-drone-flight-school for more information.
Can I fly my drone with a Basic Operations Certificate in Canada?
After obtaining your Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations online, you will need to:
- print your certificate
- carry this certificate at all times why flying your drone
- keep your knowledge of drones and the associated rules and regulations up to date
- ensure your drone is registered with Transport Canada Civil Aviation
Every two years you will need to either attend a safety seminar endorsed by Transport Canada Civil Aviation or complete a recurrent drone training program. You can also complete a self-paced program endorsed by Transport Canada Civil Aviation.
What is the difference between a Basic Operations and Advanced Operations drone certificate in Canada?
A basic operations certificate will cover you flying a drone in Canada if:
- you fly your drone exclusively in uncontrolled airspace
- you always fly your drone more than 30 meters horizontally from bystanders
- you never fly your drone over bystanders
If you intend to fly your drone outside of these conditions, you will need to obtain an Advanced Operations certificate.
How do I get an Advanced Operations certificate in Canada to fly a drone?
You will need to be at least 16 years old to obtain an advanced operations certificate to fly a drone in Canada.
The Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations exam can be taken online through the Transport Canada Aviation webpage by paying a fee and taking a multiple-choice test. This test will have 50 questions and will need to be completed within the 60-minute timeframe. You will need to obtain a passing grade of at least 80%.
This test will need a decent amount of study as sections include advanced knowledge of:
- Air Law, Air traffic rules, procedures
- RPAS airframes, power plants, propulsion and systems
- Human Factors
- Meteorology
- Navigation
- Flight operations
- Theory of flight
- Radiotelephony
Similar to the Basic Operations exam, if you fail the Advanced Operations test, you can try again after 24 hours. After passing the online exam, you will then need to complete a flight review with a flight reviewer at a drone flight school. Ensure that you have your reference number when you book your flight review.
Frequently asked questions about drones in Canada:
Do I need to buy an additional case for my drone?
When purchasing a drone from XPG Dones, it will come in packaging which is fit for shipping and storing. Remember that all orders over $100 incur no shipping costs! Once you have your drone, you may find it is easier to purchase a specially designed case that is more rigid and secure. The Hard Carrying Bag is one of the top sellers for ease of function and durability.
Can I buy a drone in Canada if I’m not Canadian?
Yes – there are no regulations about who can purchase a drone in Canada but there are rules and regulations about being able to fly a drone in Canada.
How old do you need to be to fly a drone in Canada?
There are no age restrictions for flying a drone less than 250g in Canada. For a drone between 250g and 25kg, a person will need to be at least 14 years of age.
What should I buy for drone photography in Canada?
If you are keen on getting the best photographs and video, then you can’t get much better than the Xiaomi FIMI A3 RC Drone with Camera. This is the perfect starter drone for any photography enthusiast. The listed features offer near-endless ways to showcase your creativity.
How do you register your drone in Canada?
All drones between 250g and 25kg must be registered with Transport Canada through their Drone Management Portal. Registration only costs $5 but avoids a hefty $1000 individual fine or a $5000 corporation fine. This has the added advantage of allowing your drone to be traced if it is lost and a line of communication in case of any manufacturers recall.
To register your drone, you will need to know the purchase date, make, model, serial number, weight and type of drone. You’ll also need a payment method which can be either Visa, Mastercard, AmEx or Interac card. Once you obtain your registration number, it must be marked on your drone before taking flight. Remember that your home insurance will not cover any damage done by your drone so it is highly recommended to get public liability insurance explicitly for your drone when flying in Canada.
Can I buy my child a drone to play with?
Yes, you can buy a child a drone to play with. In Canada, drones less than 250g do not need to be registered and the pilot does not need any type of certification. We highly recommend that you start your child on a very basic drone so that they can build their confidence and learn about the mechanics, maintenance and regulations of drone flying. Tumbling RC Drone With 720p HD Camera is a great starter drone and will provide hours of entertainment for the whole family. This drone has a simple USB charger and takes off simply by giving it a gentle toss in the air.
What do I need if I have a drone over 25kg in Canada?
If your drone is over 25kg then you will need to get special permission from Transport Canada Civil Aviation. This is outside of either the Basic or Advanced Operations Certificates issued for flying a drone in Canada.
If you’re interested in learning more about flight regulations in Canada please contact us today. If you’d like to purchase a drone, browse XPG Drones’ online store to find a great model at an affordable price.