By akademiotoelektronik, 13/05/2022

Canada tightens regulations on the use of drones

(Photo: 123rf.com)

The Canadian government announced on Wednesday new stricter rules to regulate the use of drones: their pilots must in particular obtain a certificate, fly them more than 5 km from an airport and without having consumed alcohol.

The Canadian government is following suit as the UK also announced tougher measures against drones following incidents that caused mayhem at London's Gatwick airport before Christmas. On Tuesday, a new report briefly disrupted traffic at Heathrow Airport.

To avoid such incidents, "we are working with different groups, including airports but also security agencies, to examine the type of countermeasures that could be implemented, depending on the type of drone and the circumstances", said Transport Minister Marc Garneau during a press conference. He gave no further details, citing security reasons.

From June, Canadian owners of drones weighing between 250 grams and 25 kg will have to register and register their machine and obtain an online certificate to be able to fly it.

They will be prohibited from flying at an altitude of more than 120 meters, less than 5.6 km from an airport or near the intervention of emergency services. A special permit will be required to transport items such as explosives or weapons. It will also be necessary to be at least 14 years old to be able to fly a drone alone, and not to have consumed drugs or alcohol 12 hours before.

“When you take control of an aircraft, you accept the responsibilities of a pilot. You become a pilot,” said Mr. Garneau.

An offender is liable to a fine of up to $3,000, or even a prison sentence in the event of a deliberate threat to the security of an airport.

In October 2017, a small commercial plane was hit by an illegally flying drone shortly before landing at Jean-Lesage International Airport in Quebec City. Mr. Garneau at the time described the incident, which did not cause injuries, as the first of its kind in Canada.

In June 2017, the minister told the Montreal Gazette that a collision between a drone and a plane was “the kind of disaster scenario that keeps (him) up at night”.