Professional pilots about UAV rules in Canada
Frédérique Caron and Kevin St-Cyr
After reporting new UAV regulations entering in force this summer in Canada we asked two known RC helicopter pilots about their opinions and reactions. We asked them to tell us their thouhts.
Frédérique Caron (SAB Goblin Girl) wrote
This law is a good thing in itself. It will make you aware of the danger of the helicopter / plane / drone. But I do not think that, it will help the purpose at the base which it was designed for.
In my opinion the law would be more effective if attacked the base itself: to have the right to import or buy a helicopter / plane / drone. The license of the pilot should be required and the registration required to the customs - as for a weapon - in this way the problem would be solved according to me.
Experienced pilots and members of the MAAC [Model Aeronautics Association of Canada] are not the ones, who have problems with Canadian aviation, because the safety rules of the MAAC are already clearly established and applied. I have never seen to my knowledge a report that a helicopter is going to fly near a plane or airport. There should be an exemption for members of the MAAC, that should be effective by June 1 but it will be valid only for the accredited land of the MAAC. There are two types of pilots, those who fly only in the land of the MAAC, and what flies everywhere safely, or they have the chance to do it (this is my case). In this case the license is required and there will be no exemption member of the MAAC.
I am afraid, this law discourage many newcomers in the hobby, because it is more and more complicated to exercise are privilege to steal. But the more experienced pilots and associations like the MAAC will be there to help people tangle them through all of this. I want to understand that this is for security, but what I find a nonsense to the law is that example: I am lucky to have a large lot and to be able to fly at home. Before I did not dare start my SAB Goblin 700 at home so as not to disturb the neighbourhood, because I'm on good terms with them and I did not want to break this precarious link.
Now with the new rules I'm in rule to do so. I don't know that you know, how much noise rotors can make, I'm not sure, it will be good housekeeping with the neighbours ... so the judgment of the pilot is still required, but - according to the law - I am in rule! And for a person who doesn't know this leisure with a 700 to 100 feet (30 metres) of oneself can be very intimidating and scary as a limit.
The limit of 400 feet AGL (122 metres) do not bother me too much, because the 3D heli pilots don't used to fly at very high altitude. It is more displeased in the world of planes. Also I find it deplorable, we can not fly a heli in the framework of advanced operation, even if we have an advanced pilot license. SAB Heli Division or other manufacturers cannot fulfill the requirements of the government with the article CAR 901.76.
Kevin St-Cyr (SAB Goblin pilot)
But fortunately this match is not finished yet. As Kevin St-Cyr has informed us, the RPAS Task Force - Transport Canada representatives are working with all stakeholders on future exemptions provided to MAAC members. The MAAC members are promised to enjoy the hobby in the future as well by complying with the new regulations, or under the terms of future exemptions. These exemptions will be in force by 1st of June as well.
As Kevin expressed - and no doubt, he is right:
