Transport Canada Looking for Feedback on Drone Rule Proposal

June 2020 – EAA Canada members,

Transport Canada has proposed new rules for operations of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, RPAS, a.k.a. drones or Unmanned Aerial Systems, UAS. Transport Canada wants to greatly expand the current Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) regulations for RPAS operations. Transport Canada's objective is to enable routine 'lower-risk' Beyond Visual Line-Of-Sight (BVLOS) for Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) and expanded Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS) operations in Canada without Transport Canada having to issue Special Flight Operations Certificates (SFOCs).

The full text can be downloaded here. Transport Canada is looking for 'feedback and insight from industry on the proposed performance-and risk-based approach.’

It is important that you comment! Transport needs to hear from all of us who operate in what Transport calls ‘isolated areas.’

EAA’s position in regards to RPAS is, and has always been:

• The burden of sensing and avoiding traffic must fall on the UAS operator, not on manned operators.
• No new equipage requirements or limitations on airspace access for manned aircraft are acceptable.
• The safety of manned aircraft must be the top priority.

Please share with your Chapter members and encourage them to provide feedback to Transport Canada. The deadline for comments is June 22. Comments are to be emailed to TC.RPASRegulations-ReglementsSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca.

Your EAA Canadian Council will be providing an official response to Transport Canada as well.