Categories of Drones

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Micro-Drone Operations

• Is a drone that is under 250 grams

• Does not require a license to fly

• Can be flown anywhere, except Class F airspace, so long as: 

  • Keep the drone in a direct line of sight

  • Keep drone close enough to
    controller signal

  • Keep it below 400 feet in the air

  • Is at a safe distance from bystanders

  • Does not interfere with flight zones, aircraft operations, infrastructure, or advertised events

  • Perform pre-flight inspection of drone

Basic Operations

• Is a drone that is between 250 grams to 25 kilograms

• Drone must be registered with Transport Canada, and will be marked with a registration number.

• 14 years old (or supervised by a certified pilot).

• Must obtain, and keep with you a Basic Operations Pilot Certificate and Proof of registration. This consists of an exam. Renewed every 2 years.

• Must follow the following conditions:

  • Flown in uncontrolled airspace

  • Must be 30 metres away, horizontally, from bystanders, and not flown over them

  • Must be 3 nautical miles from an airport or military aerodrome

Must be 1 nautical mile from a certified heliport

Advanced Operations

• A drone that is between 250 grams to 25 kilograms

• Drone must be registered with Transport Canada, and will be marked with a registration number. 16 years of age (or supervised by a certified pilot).

• Must obtain, and keep with you an Advanced Operations Pilot Certificate (renew in 2 years) and Proof of registration. This consists of an exam and flight review. You must also file a flight plan request with NAV Canada.

• Flight Plans/requests include: date, time, duration, area, hazards, pilot/aircraft registration, time needed to terminate operation, emergency procedures, type of aircraft

• If you are doing one of the following, it is an Advanced Operation:

  • Flying in controlled airspace

  • Are not 30 metres away, horizontally, from and are over bystanders

  • Are not 3 nautical miles from an airport or military aerodrome

  • Are not 1 nautical mile from a certified heliport

Some drones may share some overlapping rules and regulations, with the exception of Special Flight Operations.