Rules & Regulations

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In 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright didn't have to inform local authorities before flight testing their heavier-than-air, engine-powered aircraft over the Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina dunes.  Lucky them.

Since the Wrights' first manned flight, the business and science of aviation has progressed exponentially.  So has the complexity and number of rules and regulations governing how governments, businesses, and individuals utilize the deceptively empty airspace above our heads.

In Canada, all general aviation activity is tightly regulated by Transport Canada (TC).  UAV/UAS/Drones weighing 250 grams and above are considered by TC to be aircraft just like a Cessna 150 training aircraft, or a Boeing 737 jetliner.  Regardless of the recent introduction into the UAS market of a slew of less-than 250 gram drones, the majority of UAS/Drones operated by businesses and flown by hobbyists in Canada fall under the purview and regulation of TC.  

Central Alberta Drone Services is committed to conducting our UAS/Drone business in strict compliance with TC's edicts as stated in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARS) and other governmental publications (See: the Canada Gazette, et al).  As Advanced Commercial UAS License holders, CADS's pilots are afforded a certain degree of latitude as to where and how they may fly our aircraft.  But not always.  Sometimes, particularly in congested urban environments and/or close to airports/aerodromes, we are legally obliged to operate our aircraft in accordance with Transport Canada's Special Flight Operations Certificates (SFOCs). 

As a result we can't always fly when and where our customers want.  Slowly, but increasingly surely, the days of **'cowboy' UAS/drone operators are coming to an end.  RCMP officers are more educated about drone laws today than they were a couple of years ago.  As a result, enforcement proceedings for breaking UAS/drone laws are on the increase--and not just for little Tommy who innocently launches his 250 gram drone from a camp site in a provincial park. As Tommy's parents speak with a Parks Canada ranger about their son's misdemeanour, they learn much to their chagrin that anyone who is complicit in allowing an individual to fly a UAS/drone in contravention of TC's CARS regulations is as liable for the offence as the pilot of the aircraft--no exceptions.

That said, it is important to note that TC regulations are not intended to hobble or restrict CADS' or any other commercial UAS company's  or UAS hobbyist's flight operations. TC regulations are  simply meant to keep the public safe whilst affording amateur UAS/drone afficionados and commercial UAS operators the opportunity to ply their hobby and trade. 

Bottom line: CADS wants your business, but we're not willing to sidestep the rules or break the law (See: "Legal Requirements When Flying Drones" section in the aforementioned link).  For everyone's peace of mind, whenever and wherever we fly our aircraft we operate within the parameters of governmental guidelines.  As a result you can feel confident and safe when using our services.

**Disclaimer: For your financial and physical safety, and that of others, please ensure that any UAS/drone operator you hire is licensed and insured.  Unfortunately, we continue to recieve calls from potential customers who are considering  hiring non-licenced operators.  I mean, little Tommy's a good drone pilot, so, why not give him a few dollars to take photos' of your house, right?.  Wrong.  If little Tommy is paid a loonie for flying his less-than 250 gram drone over your house to take a few photographs he's now considered by Transport Canada to be a commercial operator--someone who has to be licensed and insured regardless of the size or weight of their UAS/drone.

Note: Fines for breaking Canadian Drone Laws currently range from $3,000.00 to $25,000.00.  

For a more in-depth examination of  the ins-and outs of UAS/V/Drone-related regulations in Canada, please refer to the hyperlinks in this section, or check out the websites below.

** - CADS carries 20 times the minimum amount of aviation liability insurance as prescribed by Transport Canada. Our business, our operator/pilots, and you, our customers, are covered by two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) UAV liability insurance underwritten by a top Canadian Insurance institution.