Can I Fly My Own Drone?

To fly an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Canada that is heavier than 250 grams, both leisure and commercial drone pilots are legally required to register their drone with Transport Canada, carry a valid drone pilot certificate and follow rules set out in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

Transport Canada provides different levels of certifications, including Basic, Advanced and must also approve Special Flight Operations Certificates (SFOCs) for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) for specific purposes or special conditions.

The registration and exam process for certification enables Transport Canada to verify that operators are qualified to operate their UAV safely and reliably, as drone operators need to be knowledgeable in many areas including:  

• Flight parameters (site information or region of flights, minimum distances from air spaces, maximum altitudes, etc.).
• UAV-specific specifications and limitations (e.g., weight, model, battery life and wing type)
• Safety protocols and procedures
• Laws related to trespassing and privacy
• Insurance coverage

Expert UAV Operators in Canada

GeoOptic’s pilots have Certificates for Advanced Operations, and all of GeoOptic’s drones are fully insured and registered with Transport Canada, enabling us to mobilize quickly, including flights in controlled airspace or in proximity to bystanders.

Our highly skilled team are capable of meeting all of your GIS and mapping needs efficiently and effectively. From stockpile volume calculations, to slope measurements, to contour mapping, to fill requirement needs; GeoOptic is your full service aerial surveying and GIS solutions team.