Transport Canada will soon unveil new rules that will facilitate the use of drones on long-distance flights. Several representatives of this booming sector believe that this change will open up new possibilities.
The drone sector is booming
explains Ian Wills, president of Coastal Drone, a training organization for drone pilots based in Langley, British Columbia.
They evolve, become more and more powerful and enable things we could not imagine before
he explains. We think of deliveries, or aerial mapping. These uses have been discussed for years in Canada, and the new regulations could well make them finally possible.
The change is not immediate, however, and will take effect this fall.
Among the new features, Transport Canada wishes to abandon the flight request process on a case-by-case basis. This will make a large part of the Canadian sky accessible to drones operating beyond line of sight (BVLOS), anticipates Ryan CoatesDirector General of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for Transport Canada.
Pilot certification rules will be stricter and drone weight limits will be revised.
The rules that will apply to drones BVLOS will be more flexible in low-risk or less populated areas, meaning Canada’s most remote communities could benefit the most from the new regulations.
Rules update
Previously, drone pilots had to file a request with Transport Canada for each flight beyond their line of sight, a procedure that required hundreds of hours of paperwork
according to Ian Willsby Coastal Drone.
Transport Canada’s rigorous review process is become an obstacle
for many users, explains Mr. Coates, which made it necessary to update the legislation.
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Industry says possible use cases for drones operated remotely and beyond line of sight are still impossible to quantify, but agriculture, industry and public safety could benefit greatly from these new rules . (Archive photo)
Photo : - / Patrick Morrell
In 2019, Canada was one of the first countries in the world to introduce regulations on the use of drones. Since then, more than 107,000 drone pilots and 100,000 drones have been certified and registered.
At the same time, technology has become better and more sophisticated, says Ryan Coates, intensifying calls from the industry to shed administrative burden and update regulations.
This does not mean, however, that any type of drone can be flown anywhere.
Drone pilots BVLOS will have to be certified and the drones will have to have collision avoidance technology, weigh less than 150 kg and fly in low-altitude uncontrolled airspace over sparsely populated areas.
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The location of a drone delivery pilot program led by the University of British Columbia and the Stellat’en First Nation near Fraser Lake in northern British Columbia.
Photo : - / Mark Glenning
The new Canadian rules treat drones like aircraft and apply equally to recreational pilots and professional pilots, who are the most likely to use drones for activities such as photography or video.
Huge potential
The Dr. John Pawlovichdirector of the chair of rural health at the University of British Columbia, believes that updating drone regulations changes the situation
for isolated communities.
He highlights a pilot project for drug delivery by drone to the Stellat’en First Nation, in northern British Columbia, where access to pharmacies can be difficult due in particular to the weather.
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More than 1,200 flights were conducted as part of a drone piloting program near Fraser Lake, British Columbia, which enabled the delivery of medicine to members of the Stellat’en First Nation.
Photo: Photo provided by Wallace Studios
His team carried out more than 1,200 test flights to overcome logistical obstacles. According to Mr. Pawlovich, the new rules that will apply to drones BVLOS could enable similar projects to be extended to other areas, filling gaps in some residents’ access to essential supplies.
With information from Georgie Smyth
