by Scott Kesselman

Today, at the Unmanned Systems Canada conference in Montreal, Transport Canada announced two exemptions that simplify small unmanned aerial vehicle operations in Canadian airspace.



Under the new exemptions, commercial use of UAS will no longer require a special flight operations certificate or SFOC for many UAV operations under 2kg and certain operations with a UAV under 25kg. The department has also simplified the application process and time it takes to issue SFOCs for larger UAVs. 



“For businesses, these changes will make it easier for their small UAVs to take flight sooner, while maintaining the safety of those on the ground and in the skies,” says Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt.



The changes will come into effect later this month and operators must check on the Transport Canada website for exemption requirements and safety conditions including maintaining visual line of sight, respecting maximum altitudes and staying clear of built-up areas.



“This approach will dramatically improve the ability for Canadian businesses to safely make use of this extremely capable technology while substantially reducing the time it takes to get authorizations for more complex operations, says Stewart Baillie, chairman of Unmanned Systems Canada. “Coupled with the safety awareness campaign announced two weeks ago, I believe that Canada now has one of the most effective and progressive UAV regulatory frameworks in the world.”



These exemptions build on an October program Minister Raitt launched — a national safety awareness campaign for UAVs which lays out the do’s and don’ts of flying unmanned systems.

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