LittleRed

Just seen on the local news. The $5,000 is for commercial, whatever that means now-a-days. If you operate one (i.e. take a picture with one) and depending on the size of the drone you need a license or it could cost you $1,000, but sell the pic and the cost would be $5,000. Is that what it means as commercial??? Interesting news to some. But not as yet for me. For sure I'd make so that my drone would be under 250 grams (little over 1/2 lb imperial)

LittleRed (Ron)

As of Saturday, (June 1) people caught flying drones that weigh between 250 grams and 25 kilograms without a federal licence could face fines of up to $5,000.
There are two different types of licences now offered by Transport Canada: basic and advanced.
The basic category is meant for people who never fly in controlled airspace or within 30 metres horizontally of bystanders. The basic category requires passing a $10 online exam, registering with Transport Canada, marking the drone with its registration number, and carrying the pilot certificate whenever the drone is in use.

The advanced category requires all of the above, plus an in-person flight review and special permission from air traffic controllers whenever flying in controlled air space.
Users must be 14 years of age or older to take the basic exam. They must be 16 or older to take the advanced exam.
Flying drones without a licence could mean fines of $1,000 for recreational users and $5,000 for commercial users.
Winnipeg drone enthusiast Evan Turner says he believes the government regulations “hit it pretty well on.”
“Something that’s over 250 grams can definitely hurt somebody if you’re going fast enough, or cause property damage,” he told CTV Winnipeg.
Calgary-area drone user Chris Healy also likes the regulations, because he no longer needs special permission each time he wants to fly.
“Anyone with proper training and proper licensing can (now) get the perspective of Earth which was usually meant for the purview of pilots or astronauts,” he said.
Drones that weigh under 250 grams are exempt from licensing. Drones that weigh more than 25 kilograms have their own set of rules.
Transport Canada says that drones should be flown where the pilot can see them at all times, below 122 metres, at least 5.6 kilometres away from airports and 1.9 kilometres from heliports.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

First off, there really isn't much enforcement of such laws. Here in the US I'm sure it's about the same. What they mean by "commercial" use of a drone is that it's being used for pay. For instance, for the movie industry, real estate photos and video, news documentary etc. A person that is flying for recreation, which is the normal person that flies for fun isn't going to be a problem and needs no license. Although, here in the US we still need to pay a fee to license the drone and affix that number to the drone on the outside. I have my number on the inside of my drone. I've never seen a drone cop anywhere. I even saw a kid flying one at the end of the very crowded pier in Huntington Beach, and a cop told him to get out of there. Never even asked him for any papers or to see his numbers.

Ollieboy

From what I read only the FAA has airspace juristriction on drone flyng locations and rules in the US. Local municipalites can only regulate liftoff and landing locations. Many gray areas that will eventually wind up in court. No license needed in US for recreational flyng, although drones over .55 lbs must registered. If you live in NYC, be ready to travel to fly your drone legally.

LittleRed

Since I am not a citizen of the USA I can't comment on the use of drones there to any degree. But I do agree that at this time enforcement is negligible except in cases where a complaint is lodged. But I foresee that this will probably change as time goes on and the use of drones increases. Considering the amount of the fines (minimum $1000) for recreational use our politicians up here are probably already starting to drool. In a way it's just like you pouring a bucket of blood in a school of sharks. It's just another "easy" way to skim more cash off their constituents without a great outcry from the general public. Since they already have a group of government workers (our understaffed police forces) there would be no extra cost to collect the cash from the hapless victims. And in time with a stroke of a pen this crappy law can be changed to cover all drones. And don't say that won't happen. Years ago our glorious government decided that all us poor subjects needed to be licensed to operate a powered water craft. At first there were exclusions for certain size motors etc but that has changed so almost everything that floats and has a motor is now covered. At first a lot of us tended to just ignore the License requirement as we felt where we lived the possibility of getting checked was minimal. We soon found out that wasn't so as even in the backwoods multiple checks were made daily and charges laid. Now there is no way I would go anywhere to operate my boat without my Pleasure Craft Operater Card. And the fine for that offence is $250 (that means 4 boaters = 1 droner). Time will tell whether or not these new requirements will be troublesome to the drone users but knowing how our money-hungry politicians work especially up here in Canada I don't have any doubts they probably will.
In the end it all comes down to the mighty dollar 🤑 and how much they can squeeze out of us, right??

LittleRed (Ron)

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

These laws all make good sense to me.

rustfarmer

I hate drones bussing around but I have seen some very good photos. As with so many things, it's how you use them.

eshore46

Drones can be fun and they can be a problem. There was and is flooding in the midwest US , and the rescuers are having a problem finding and reaching stranded victims because of private drones flying in the flood area and interfering with heliocopters doing rescue operations.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

As always, "Better safe then sorry." Assuming the permit comes at a reasonable cost, get one.

Paladin48 Loc: Orlando

I used to fly RC planes for a hobby. We were encouraged to buy an annual membership ($45 at the time) with the AMA (American Modeling Association) just for the free $1 Million insurance policy. Apparently the FAA treated ALL incidents or mishaps with RC Model planes as "Aircraft Incidents" regardless of size. A guy at the RC field figured it was ridiculous and it didn't apply to him. He flew his scale model twin-engine Otter into some woman's minivan while she drove her kids to ball practice nearby. No one was hurt but it scared the crap (literally) out of her 9 year old son and caused her to pee her own pants when one of the engines landed in her passenger seat. Don't know if her husband was a lawyer but ..........

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

$5 to register your drone, $10 to write the exam to get a basic drone certificate is not an onerous requirement to be considered a legal drone operator. Reviewing the drone legislation to prepare for the exam is also good for any potential drone operator.

bwa