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The UAS Centre of Excellence participated in a UAV Roundtable with the Hon. Minister Lisa Raitt in Ottawa yesterday where an important announcement have been made.

Press Release from Transport Canada

Transport Canada consults on proposed changes to UAV safety regulations : Proposed options focus on smaller, lower-risk unmanned aircraft activities

May 28, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Transport Canada

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today launched consultations on proposed amendments to the regulations governing the safe use of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).

Transport Canada is exploring changes to the regulations that will address the growing popularity and economic importance of UAVs and integrate them safely into Canadian airspace. The department published a Notice of Proposed Amendment that highlights several proposed changes, including new flight rules, aircraft marking and registration requirements, knowledge testing, minimum age limits, and pilot permits for certain UAV operators.

Transport Canada will hold stakeholder consultations over the next 90 days to ensure the new regulations are effective, balanced, and fair. The first stakeholder roundtable took place today in Ottawa, with others to follow in different regions across the country. Feedback received during the consultation process will help inform the regulatory changes. The Canadian public will also have the opportunity to provide comments when the proposed amendments are published in Canada Gazette, Part I.

Quick Facts

• The current rules will remain in effect until the new regulations are approved by the Governor in Council and published in Canada Gazette, Part II.
• The proposed regulations apply to UAVs weighing 25 kg or less operated within visual line of sight.
• Transport Canada intends to keep the Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) process for heavier UAVs and more complex operations.
• Transport Canada issued 1,672 SFOCs for UAVs in 2014, up from 345 in 2012.

Quotes

“Transport Canada is proud to be at the international vanguard of UAV safety. The goal of these new proposed regulations is to support the enjoyment and development of this budding sector while keeping people on the ground and in the sky safe. I look forward to hearing from our stakeholders as I consult them in the coming months.”
The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport

Press Release from Unmanned Systems Canada

May 28, 2015

At 11:00 AM EST today in Ottawa the Hon. Minister Lisa Raitt convened a UAV Roundtable with a broad sample of industry stakeholders in attendance. A key element of the discussion was Transport Canada’s announcement of the Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) to the Civil Aviation Regulations concerning the operation of Unmanned Aircraft under 25 kg within Visual Line of Sight.

The Minister’s opening remarks stressed the extensive urgency she places on this file, that safety is her utmost concern and that she understands the economic reality and potential of this sector.

USC Chairman Stewart Baillie remarked: “This development continues Transport Canada’s plan to accelerate the industry through regulation that maintains safety while reducing regulatory burden, and we continue to strongly support these efforts”.

The roundtable garnered comments from all stakeholders with key points of discussion being:

• Canada must continue to work hard to maintain its global leadership in this sector
• Operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight must remain a high priority while regulation for Visual Line of Sight operations is being established
• Educating and informing the recreational/hobbyist users that are not traditional modelers affiliated with MAAC is a key issue that all stakeholders must work together to resolve.

Robert Kendall
Executive Director
Unmanned Systems Canada
Systèmes Télécommandés Canada

Download here the Notice of Proposed Amendment

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