Drone / RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems)
Drones - also known as RPAS, UAVs and UAS - are considered aircraft under the Aeronautics Act and Canadian Aviation Regulations. In order to operate a drone in a controlled airspace, authorization is required. For instance, you cannot fly a drone within the Southport Area Control Zone without authorization from Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.
Drones operated within the Southport Area Control Zone must be operated in accordance with the following requirements:
- Drone must be visible to the operator at all times
- Drone operator will not operate at an altitude exceeding 122 meters or 400 feet
- Drone must remain at least 30 meters from bystanders
- Drone operations will avoid emergency operations or advertised events (ie. Forest fires, outdoor concerts, parades, etc.)
- Drone will land immediately when another aircraft is observed (ie. Airplane, helicopter, other drones, etc.)
Please click the links below for additional information:
- Drone Site Selection Tool (Government of Canada)
- Drone Flight Planning (NAV Canada)
- Flying Your Drone Safely and Legally (Transport Canada)
- NAV Drone Viewer (NAV Canada)