Drone user is on board with Transport Canada's proposed laws
Taking a video and photography drone business soaring is a lot like flying an airplane. It takes knowledge of aviation airspace, proper licensing and a safety-conscious navigator. In other words, it takes a drone company with the right flight paperwork and skills—essential goods that not all drone operators have.
Grant Caswell knows what’s on and off limits in the drone business. Trained as a commercial pilot, he sends his drone aloft to safely videotape, photograph and map acreages, construction sites, landscape, architecture, and real estate. He even captures the aerial excitement of weddings and big indoor and outdoor sporting events.
Having come across operators who lose control of their drones and break the law, he’s on board with Transport Canada’s proposed laws for drone users and takes issue with companies that hire illegal operators.
“Contracting an unethical drone user is a reflection on the company that does the hiring,” explains Caswell, CEO of Caswell Aviation. “If you’ve hired a non-compliant and unlicensed drone operator to video, photograph, or map your terrain or structure, and this results in rogue fly-aways, a privacy incursion, damage to property or personal injury, then you’ve lost your money.”
Next year illegal and unskilled drone pilots in Canada could face fines up to $5,000 for one operator and $25,000 for a business that operates withou a Special Flight Operations Certificate. That’s the latest news from Transport Canada, which is calling for feedback from drone users about its proposed legislation.
“Most new drone users want to do the right thing,” explains Marie-Anyk Côté, a Transport Canada spokesperson. “We really want the operators to learn to fly safely and legally, and to familiarize themselves with our safety rules before flying.”
Under the Aeronautics Act, anyone who violates controlled or restricted airspace, or endangers the safety of aircraft, could be subject to fines of up to $25,000 and prison. This applies to any size of drone used for any purpose.
Proposed changes include knowledge testing, minimum age limits, and a special permit for specific drone activities. The Special Flight Operations Certificate includes restrictions and requirements such as maximum allowed altitude, mandatory communications with air traffic control, and minimum required distances from urban areas, aerodromes, people and buildings.
Canadians can comment on the proposed legislation by submitting their feedback in writing to carrac@tc.gc.ca. Once the comment period closes on October 13, 2017, Transport Canada will review and amend the proposed regulations, before publishing the final regulations in Canada Gazette, Part II.
Links to further information: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/getting-permission-fly-drone.html and http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/applying-special-flight-operations-certificate.html
