RPAS Updates to your pilot certificate have been made - Transport Canada

[Athol]

I received this email from Transport Canada today and thought there would be some value in sharing the contents:

We've recently updated your pilot certificate to clarify the operating rules and safe distances required for you to operate your drone safely. Please note that your privileges to fly a drone have not changed and remain the same.
For Basic operations:
•   You may fly up to 400 ft (122m) or in accordance with a Special Flight Operating Certificate-RPAS
•   You may not fly in controlled airspace, or within 5.6km (3 nautical miles) or an airport, or 1.9km (1 nautical mile) of a heliport, whichever distance is greater
For Advanced operations:
•   You may fly up to 400 ft (122m), or in accordance with a Special Flight Operating Certificate-RPAS or as authorized by the provider of air traffic services in controlled airspace
•   Operations are permitted in controlled airspace if authorized by the provider of air traffic services
•   You may not fly within 5.6km (3 nautical miles) of an airport, or 1.9km (1 nautical mile) of a heliport unless the operation is conducted in accordance with an established procedure for that airport or heliport
•   Your drone must have a safety assurance declaration provided by the manufacturer for the operation it is being used in:
o   Controlled airspace - operations in which the drone will fly within the airspace controlled by air traffic control (Class A-F)
o   Near people - operations in which the drone will fly within 30 metres (100 feet) and 5 metres (16.4 feet) of any person not associated with the operation
o   Over people - operations in which the drone will fly within 5 metres (16.4 feet) or directly over any person not associated with the operation

Email
[email protected]
Telephone
Tel: 1-800-305-2059 / TTY: 1-888-675-6863
Monday to Friday (except holidays), 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern time
Drone Management Portal (http://www.canada.ca/drones-portal)
Civil Aviation Services
Transport Canada
Government of Canada
________________________________________

[davidk]

Athol, does this mean that drones cannot be flown at the TEMAC field?

According to Google Maps the distance between the TEMAC field and Toronto Markham Airport is 4.97km.

[Athol]

@davidk - There is not change in our ability to fly ANY REPAS at the TEMAC Field.  Buttonville is greater than 5.6Km's from our field but we have a 400ft altitude limit unless have an event that would require us to file a NOTAM.

I posted this for information - not as an alarm 

[davidk]

@Athol - I took the post as pure information.  Buttonville is more than 5.6km from our field, but Markham Airport isn't.

However, the MAAC exemption covers us...

14. The member of MAAC operating a RPAS within 3NM of an aerodrome outside of
controlled airspace and identified in the Canadian Flight Supplement (CFS) or the Canadian
Water Aerodrome Supplement (CWAS) shall, take-off, launch, land, or recover from either
a) a field sanctioned by MAAC; or

[Frank v B]

You know how much I know about drones (rounds to zero) but when they say:

"•   You may fly up to 400 ft (122m) or in accordance with a Special Flight Operating Certificate-RPAS".

Does the 400' refer to altitude (AGL) or horizontal distance from the pilot?

Frank

[Athol]

Altitude is 400 feet AGL 

[davidk]

You know how much I know about drones (rounds to zero) but when they say:

"•   You may fly up to 400 ft (122m) or in accordance with a Special Flight Operating Certificate-RPAS".

Does the 400' refer to altitude (AGL) or horizontal distance from the pilot?

Frank

I'm going to enjoy this...

@Frank v B - the definition is in the wording.  "You may fly up to 400 ft" 

I love the english language.

[Frank v B]

David,

re:  "the definition is in the wording.  "You may fly up to 400 ft" "

I can accurately throw a boat's mooring line up to 50'. You can be guaranteed it is horizontal. 
Am still working on the vertical ability but gravity keeps getting in the way.

Frank

[davidk]

And... Markham Airport is actually an Aerodrome... so again... all is good.

Here's a link to a really good tool... a Drone Site Selection Tool... an interactive map.

https://nrc.canada.ca/en/drone-tool/

[piker]

You know how much I know about drones (rounds to zero) but when they say:....
Frank

Note that according to Transport Canada, EVERYTHING flown at TEMAC is a "Drone".

Robert

[davidk]

Right... an RPAS - Remotely Piloted Aircraft System.

In my case... remote is right    As in... he's not remotely like a pilot.