Area of Law: Privacy Law
Answer # 3102
Microdrones – no licence required
Region: Ontario Answer # 3102Drones that weigh less than 250 g are considered microdrones, and you are not required to register them or get a pilot certificate from Transport Canada to fly them. The weight of the drone includes the weight of anything attached or carried, such as safety cages or optional cameras. It does not include the weight of the remote control.
Pilots of microdrones do not have to follow the same requirements that pilots of other drones do, but they do have a responsibility to show good judgment and fly safely, which includes identifying potential hazards and taking all necessary steps to minimize the risk of incidents. Failure to do so can result in fines.
Transport Canada lists the following guidelines that pilots of microdrones should follow:
- maintain the drone in direct line of sight
- do not fly your drone above 400 feet in the air
- keep a safe lateral distance between your drone and any bystanders
- stay far away from aerodromes, airport, heliport and waterdrome (aka “water aerodromes” – an area of open water specifically used for the arrival, departure, movement, and servicing of seaplanes, floatplanes, and amphibious aircraft)
- avoid flying near critical infrastructure (utilities, communication towers, bridges, etc.)
- stay clear of aircraft, at all times
- do a pre-flight inspection of your drone
- keep the drone close enough to maintain the connection with the remote controller
- stay away from emergency sites (the security perimeter of a police or first responder emergency operation; sites near disasters, such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes)
- get a Special Flight Operations Certificate for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (SFOC-RPAS) to operate at an advertised event.
To operate a drone weighing more than 250 g, you must obtain a licence and register the drone with Transport Canada.
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