Drones are a type of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Transport Canada, the government body responsible for the regulation of drones in Canada, specifically categorizes them as “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)”. Because they are considered aircraft, if you decide to fly a drone you are technically the pilot and are responsible for sharing the skies with all other drones and aircraft.

There are generally four types of drones, determined by weight:

1. Microdrones: Less than 250 grams / no registration is required.
2. Small: 250 grams up-to and including 25 kilograms / must be registered and marked with the registration number. Requires a pilot certificate for basic or advanced operations.
3. Medium: Over 25 kilograms but not more than 150 kg / must have a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC). Requires an Advanced Pilot Certificate.
4. Large: Over 150 kg / require a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC).

There are rules and regulations for each size, such as licensing requirements (referred to as certification by Transport Canada), registration, and restrictions on how and where they can be flown. Drones over 25 kg have complex rules and requirements. Refer to Transport Canada for more information on these type of drones.

All drone pilots must adhere to the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), specifically Part IX – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.

Changes to operation rules

As per Transport Canada, Canada’s drone operations changed on November 4, 2025. Fees have been introduced for new exams, certificates, and declarations. Pilot licensing and drone registration are now based on the new rules, which include changes to flying:

• extended visual line-of-sight (EVLOS) operations,
• beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, and
• Sheltered operation (flights with a small drone that are close to a structure, such as a building).

Visit Transport Canada’s 2025 Summary of changes to Canada’s drone regulations for the most up-to-date information.

								
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