This notification is for members of TEMAC.
Due to problems between MAAC and related regulatory government agencies, rules for flying at TEMAC will be changing.
Currently, as we are unsure of insurance and due to other concerns, TEMAC is closed to all flying, for now.
All members who intend to fly model airplanes at TEMAC will have to apply and get a license to fly model airplanes (it is called an RPAS). I believe this is about $10, and you will have to take an online test to get this license. There will be no exceptions. We will provide all links and information soon. It will not be a difficult process.
As well, model airplanes will have to be registered (we will let you know where, when and how), I believe at a cost of $5 each. We will provide all links and information soon. It will not be a difficult process.
We are looking into acquiring our own (non-MAAC if needed) club insurance and how to get individual member insurance. It is possible that MAAC may provide insurance, but we're not sure yet. It is possible that we may not require MAAC membership/insurance in the future, but we really don't have precise information yet.
We hope to have clear answers, and a path forward within a few days.
You all know as much as I do. I have no answers to any questions you may have at this point.
We already have some good news to share with you; please wait for more information over the next few days.
I assure you, members of your board are taking these issues seriously, and are working diligently to have us flying as soon as possible.
Michael Rogozinsky
TEMAC President
Good times are coming, soon!
I want to assure all TEMAC members that the problems we are facing are not at all the fault of TEMAC members.
Thanks for the update, Michael. As always, you're on top of the situation and are providing TEMAC members good, clear information.
I can assure everyone that getting your Small Basic RPAS is straightforward. The test contains information we should all know anyway.
Below is some info about what's involved at Transport Canada's website. Note that they call everything a "drone" but they mean all RC things that fly. https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/learn-rules-you-fly-your-drone/find-your-category-drone-operation#basic
One concern that comes up is our field location.
We are 2.52NM from Markham Airport. RPAS states that you cannot fly within 3NM of a Certified Airport.
Markham Airport is not a Certified Airport, it is a Private Registered Aerodrome.
Certified Airports around us are Buttonville, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Billy Bishop, and of course, Toronto.
Therefore, our physical place in the world is ok.
I don't believe that's of concern. Transport Canada's own app for registering flights (https://www.navcanada.ca/en/flight-planning/drone-flight-planning.aspx) shows TEMAC's location in the clear (screenshot attached)
Edit: I just did a little more digging. The Transport Canada drone app is pretty buggy. Luckily they also have a website https://portal.navdrone.ca/
I just logged in, uploaded my Basic RPAS license to my profile, uploaded the profile of the one aircraft I currently have registered (My DJI FPV drone), and created a flight plan that I would be able to register with TC. This flight plan originated at TEMAC with the parameters in the attached image. I then validated the plan with the TC tool and it produced the results below (also in screen capture).
The next step would be to "publish" the operation. This makes the flight legal within Canadian Aviation Regulations Part 9. The only thing missing is insurance.
Allowed
6 disclaimers
Contact NAV CANADA immediately if the aircraft is no longer under the pilot's control and inadvertent entry to controlled or Class F Special Use Restricted Airspace (is likely to) occur(s).
RPAS equipped with ELT or with frost, ice or snow adhering to any part are not allowed.
No flights are allowed when icing conditions are observed or reported to exist or likely to be encountered.
Pilots must ensure:
- they review all NOTAMs applicable to their area of operation prior to flight (refer to the NAV CANADA CFPS NOTAM web site: https://plan.navcanada.ca/wxrecall/ );
- the safety of their operation at all times, including no likelihood of collision with other aircrafts exists;
- the site for take-off, launch, landing and recovery is suitable;
- weather conditions permit an operation within visual line of sight at all times;
- he or she is familiar with available information relevant to the intended flight before commencing a flight;
- the RPA has sufficient fuel or energy for the operation; and
- each crew member has received appropriate instructions.
RPAS operators are responsible for ensuring that their operations are compliant with all applicable laws, including the Canadian Aviation Regulations, the Criminal Code, and legislation related to tresspass, voyeurism and privacy.
Operations in close proximity to buildings may experience RF interference and could result in unexpected equipment behavior.
4 positives
Maximum take-off weight between 250 g and 25 kg: small RPA. The RPA must be registered with Transport Canada and the registration number must be clearly marked on the RPA.
Inside uncontrolled airspace.
400 ft (122 m) above ground level (AGL) and below.
Within visual line of sight or within visual line of sight with observers.
I would wait a few days so we can notify all members with precise information, but the way I see it, Ben, you can fly your drone at TEMAC because it is registered, and you have your license.
MAAC has communicated that we are still insured through them.
So, it is law that you must have a specific basic license, and your models must be registered, to fly model airplanes. For some time, we have been exempt from that requirement due to special arrangements between MAAC and related government agencies. Those arrangements are no longer in effect.
*****
TEMAC members are now required to have their RPAS Basic Certificate, must register any RPAS flying at TEMAC with Transport Canada, and have MAAC membership/insurance, in order to fly their models at TEMAC MAAC has advised in their Feb. 25, 2023 email to members that: insurance coverage for members, clubs, and field owners continues to be in force for all operations provided you comply with all CAR Part IX regulations, where applicable, and the MAAC Safety Code.
****
Information regarding the RPAS Basic Certificate and RPAS Registration, and our (TEMAC) requirements for recording this information, will be made available to all members within a few days.
Apologies if I caused any confusion, Michael. I wasn't advocating flying while the field is closed, I was only confirming that TEMAC is in the right kind of airspace that such flights would be possible once the club opens again. That's great news that MAAC can still provide insurance.
No confusion, as far as you are concern.
Essentially, TEMAC is closed to all flyers who don't have their RPAS flying license and registered models (and MAAC insurance and TEMAC paid membership).
We are working towards helping all members achieve this. Hopefully, we will have simple instructions, rules, and a record-keeping system, in place within a few days.
Passed my Drone RPAS Certificate this morning.
One step done - $10.00 paid.
Now will need to register some 15 planes... at $5.00 a pop... Money Grab.
I assume a TEMAC member can still fly a model under 250g at TEMAC site without a RPAS certificate. Correct?
I don't know. I think so, but please wait a few days for a comprehensive announcement, rules, and some other good news.
Thank you
@Michael for the updates.
I will wait for directions from the executives (who have my full support) before flying at the field, of course!
I have in the meantime search the Internet for more information and reasons why we are now faced with these over-reacting regulations. I found this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99gp4tzbi8c
This gentleman has a point: NOBODY under the age of 14 can legally fly RC in Canada. I was 13 when I first got involved in this wonderful hobby.
I am sad to see this is what it has come down to - preventing children from enjoying a safe and educational and fun hobby.
Guy
PS: My Last port for a while on this topic.
I have just emailed my MP re: the drone issue. I will see what she says.
Quote from: Canuke on February 27, 2023, 04:46:19 PM
I have just emailed my MP re: the drone issue. I will see what she says.
I had considered speaking to my MP when this all started, but realized there is nothing they can do. They can't force a government regulatory agency to give special treatment to a bunch of guys flying model airplanes.
I don't want more people involved than necessary. You are free to speak to anyone you want, but at this point, the board has a plan and is working on it. We only need a few more days. Please don't complicate things.
Quote from: Crash on February 27, 2023, 04:58:51 PM
Greatings
I hastily cancelled a plane on order from Pinnacle, but then realized my stupidity, and rebooked it, I want to FLY.
It would be great if REPAS Members in the TEMAC club could share their experience to help us through this difficult situation.
Maybe Temac could set up a TEMAC Flight School dedicated to Repas learning, so we can all learn REPAS together as a team.
Regards
Mike Brodey
Hi Mike
The board is meeting in person tomorrow (first time indoors in 3 years!).
One of our goals is to give members an easy to understand path forward.
Hopefully, everything will be in place by this weekend.
Sounds good. I'll keep my distance. I would be surprised if she replied.
Thanks to Michael and the board for getting on top of this..
For those are looking to get their RPAS Basic license, I found the following website to be a great resource for understanding how to go about getting this, and what knowledge is required to pass the test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kRBtm_Y35M
You take the test online by paying $10 to Transport Canada, and have 90 minutes to answer 35 multiple choice questions. Many of the questions are of dubious relevence to the aero modelling community, however unfortunately these are the hoops we must now jump through..
Yesterday after getting the notification from MAAC, I found this site:
https://www.flyrpas.ca/learn/canadian-basic-rpas-exam-guide-how-i-passed/
Very informative.
I basically had the Government RPAS manual open on the screen with the CARS document for RPAS and frequently doing a Find operation in documents. I needed to do a general search for conventional engine arrangement for a quadcopter with Google. Got what I needed.
During the test I referred to them and got through the test with an 82%.
My lost marks were mostly on radio communications with ATC and aspects of multicopters. No big deal as I'll neither be talking to ATC nor flying quadcopters.
Easily passable in about 35 minutes from my recollection.
It's very doable and should not be approached with apprehension.
We can all do it!
Gordo
Got bored tonight. Took the online exam. I didnt do any study, or download and open AIM, CAR. If you have a Common Sense and know how to search in Google (it will bring you to the right page of AIM, CAR), you will do fine. And if nothing works, pick the longest answer from the multiple choice. LOL
CARS 901.58 "No person shall, in respect of an examination taken under this Division,
(a) copy or remove from any place all or any portion of the text of the examination"
Why is TC so concerned about people copying RPAS pilot exam questions? Are they afraid the copied questions might be shared with people preparing for the exam so they could learn the answers? Isn't that what preparing is supposed to be?
If there are several versions of the RPAS pilot exam or if each exam is randomly generated to cover required areas, seems unlikely by learning the answers to one version of the exam there's much advantage as it's unlikely you will encounter that version when you take the exam. If one was to really "cheat" and have access to all the questions and learn all the answers before taking the exam, wouldn't that be good preparation? (IF the exam is a good test of required knowledge ???)
Seems to me, TC should have a large bank of exam questions which are public knowledge and randomly choose 35 questions for each exam... On the other hand, with an open book exam, perhaps we only need to know where to look and really don't need to know any of the answers...I am impressed with Oscar's approach to the exam although my search skills aren't as good as his...
Apologies for my rant...I'm annoyed at the whole mess and grateful to TEMAC and its executive for the leadership shown on this thread. I did pass the RPAS exam as I want to be able to fly and I'm skeptical of TC granting another exemption in timely fashion. Did the same thing in the US and my model airplane (refuse to insult it by calling it a drone or RPAS) has enough numbers on it to complete a couple of sudoku puzzles!
Bill
I agreed.
For me, the idea of MAAC is a place that brings together model airplane enthusiasts from flying just for fun to world class competition. The club is a place to provide a common theme of safety and a fun place to enjoy the hobby. Under MAAC, we are supposed to get exempted on taking the exam. But with recent change, we have no choice but get the pilot cert from TC in order to fly our hobby grade plane.
Over 3/4 of my exam questions has nothing to do with my radio-control planes. What is the point to ask me real plane aviation questions that I can only fly 400ft and LOS with a radio transmitter standing on the ground.
I cannot speak of others but if I want to continue to fly my hobby grade plane in a club, I have to comply and get the pilot cert from TC. I know some of us worries getting the exam passed. I am just sharing the experience and how to get thru it.
With the most sincere respect to all members and those far more experienced than myself, we're in an age of optics.
If we want to participate in a hobby that gives us great joy, there must be a recognition that there are some risks to the public associated with it, as remote as they may be. That risk gives others concern.
I recall last summer that the chief instructor made a point of having students take extra care to always know how close their planes are to the road because there may have been a case of a plane crashing on the road that could have caused a tragic accident for drivers on that relatively high speed route.
It's a risk, and we are responsible in that we take such incidents to heart and hopefully incorporate those events into our pilot mindset which should be a growth mindset.
But unfortunately, in the eyes of the media and by extension the public, we need to demonstrate a level of professionalism and/or certification that the event at Buttonville clearly didn't involve in multiple ways. We're unfortunately being tarred as a group for an individual's negligence.
If it takes each of us $10 and an hour of our time to sit in front of a computer and do some really quick searches while we're doing an exam which is quite common sense (as pointed out by another member), it would seem like a reasonable bit of effort to expend to give our hobby just that increased level of credibility and seriousness that the public wants to know we approach our hobby with.
I am sure others have a different opinion than mine and I respect that.
Thanks for your consideration and let's look forward to lots more flying.
Agree with Gord that taking the exam is a small price to pay for being able to move ahead and enjoy our hobby.
I also agree MAAC members who have a long history of safe operations have been unfairly lumped in with non MAAC members. I am appalled MAAC let the CARs Part IX exemption slip away causing TC to lump us in with non MAAC members such as the drone operator in the Buttonville incident. If the public has in their minds similarly lumped traditional MAAC operations with irresponsible drone operation, then yes, we need to bolster the image of safe, responsible model aircraft (aka RPAS) operators and getting licenced is one way to do that.
Thanks to TEMAC and this forum for giving me a place to vent amongst other RCers. I will refrain from further ranting.
As per Gord's suggestion, took the RPAS pilot exam and registered one model airplane. Registered the same model with FAA while flying it in the States in February...starting to get a bit cluttered! Add MAAC# ?, Telephone# ?...Naw, not for now.
Thanks for all the input.
I will start a new thread in the next couple days outlining our path forward.
Bill. I did some research on registration of model aircraft. I would suggest a sticker or something you can peel off. As you know, we trade planes as much as comic books and hockey cards. There is a liability aspect if you forget to remove the numbers. A good % of my aircraft go to non RC community members and there is a likely hood of a few cold beers and the guy decides to fly it into a person or worse. What I read is the reg number is linked to you and you are liable. You have to de register a model every time you sell or destroy. So please keep in mind. This is just me trying to keep our club members and friends safe.
Thanks Greg. You're correct. Will do the sticker and if I sell it, some surgery! :)