What You Need To Know About Drone Licenses In Canada
Are you in Canada and would love to fly your drone? You should make sure you are licensed first. No matter what province you are in, you need a drone license in order to be in the legal clear. In this post, we will be looking at what you need to fly that drone in the Great White North.
Who Needs a Drone License?
If you are flying a drone that is 250 grams up to 25 kilograms, you’re going to need a drone license for it, no matter where in Canada you live. Few, if any, drones are going to be under 250 grams; even a small WiFi drone is going to be too big. Those under 14 cannot get a license and must have supervision by someone who has one. If you are at least 14 years old, you can start off by obtaining a basic license. If you’re sixteen-year-olds or older, you can try for the advanced license.
Basic and Advanced?
In Canada, there are two types of drone flying licenses: basic and advanced. A basic drone license is suitable for those that fly drones in uncontrolled airspace, which is not deemed necessary by Air Traffic Control. In addition, a basic license is suitable for those who are flying a drone over 30 meters horizontally from any civilians, and not over any bystanders. If you need to fly your drone in controlled airspaces, fewer than 30 meters horizontally, or over bystanders, you need an advanced license.
Why Does This Matter?
It is always important to be in the legal clear when flying your drone. The first reason being it is for your own personal good. You do not want any fines slapped on you or have to face any other legal consequences. Not only that, but if you are inexperienced, you do not want to hurt someone by accident. Someone with a basic drone license may risk their drone crashing into a civilian or possibly disrupting an aircraft.
Look at Your Local Laws
At the end of the day, we are not lawyers. It is necessary and important to do your research whenever you are flying a drone. Drones need to be flown according to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA.) PIPEDA forbids flying drones for reasons such as voyeurism, mischief, or violating any local laws. There are artistic and journalism exceptions, hence why getting your drone license is very important. However, you must not use your 4K Follow Me Drone for any unsolicited or illegal reasons and purposes. We should mention that certain provinces may have their own drone privacy laws. Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec are such examples. Some may have special privacy laws, such as British Columbia allowing people to sue if they believe their privacy has been violated.
Examples of Fines
Drone fines are quite expensive. Unfortunately, it is not going to be a $40 ticket that most can just simply shake off. For instance, if you are flying an unregistered drone, expect to pay up to $1,000. This $1,000 penalty also applies to flying in areas that don’t allow drones and flying a drone without a certificate. If you are flying in a way that can put an aircraft or person at risk, you may have to pay up to $3,000. That is almost double the price of a Gimbal Drone Quadcopter RTF. For corporations, these fines are increased significantly, ranging from up to $5,000 to $15,000. In some instances, you may be able to purchase public liability insurance to help with any damages you may have.
Always Do Research
Before you purchase the drone, be mindful of the laws of the land. You don’t want a drone that you can’t fly without risking fines or harm. If you are still unsure, talk to a legal professional to make sure you are in the clear. Besides doing the legal research, also make sure that you are flying safely. If you are a newbie, avoid flying a drone in any area that’s windy, heavily populated, or prone to storms. Avoid flying it close to any person or property that you can cause harm to or damage. Don’t take pictures that may violate anyone’s privacy.
Purchase a Drone Today
As long as you’re following the rules and have obtained your drone license, drone flying is fun, exciting, and allows you to see the world as you have never before. Head over to XPG Drones and see what they have. No matter your budget, you can always find yourself a drone that is perfect for your situation.