Archive — January 2019
Transport Canada Releases Canada’s First Drone Regulations
Our first read of Part IX as published in the Canada Gazette on January 9, 2019 — the pilot, product, and procedure requirements that would govern small drones flown within visual line of sight.
This is an archived post from January 2019. Verify anything here against current requirements before relying on it. The regulations described below came into force as Part IX of the CARs on June 1, 2019, and were substantially amended on November 4, 2025 — adding medium drones up to 150 kg, the Level 1 Complex Operations certificate, routine lower-risk BVLOS, and the RPAS Operator Certificate. The Basic and Advanced structure described here survives, but the framework around it has grown considerably. For the rules in effect today, start with getting your Canada drone licence or our guide to BVLOS operations in Canada. We keep this post online as a record of how the framework developed.
Originally last updated: Friday, January 18, 2019 at 13:00 PST.
Minister Garneau was in Montreal on January 9 to discuss the implementation of regulation for small drones — 250 g to 25 kg — operated within visual line of sight. These rules were highly anticipated, and industry experts agree they could affect the industry in a profound way.
What Part IX Establishes
These amendments introduce a new Part IX to the Canadian Aviation Regulations, establishing rules for all remotely piloted aircraft weighing between 250 grams and 25 kilograms, along with a general provision prohibiting RPA of any weight from being flown in a negligent or reckless manner. The weight threshold refers to the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft; it does not include the weight of the system used to control it.
The amendments establish risk-based rules that mitigate the safety risks of RPAS through requirements for the pilot, the product, and the procedures to follow. The rules divide into two areas: basic operations and advanced operations.
Where the line falls. Basic operations rules apply outside controlled airspace and more than 30 m from people. Advanced operations rules apply in controlled airspace, near people (between 30 m and 5 m), over people (less than 5 m), and within 3 nautical miles of the centre of an airport or 1 nautical mile from the centre of a heliport.
The Three Main Areas
The pilot. Certification is now individual rather than covered under a company-wide authorization.
- Requires individual certification, not company-wide authorization.
- Must demonstrate knowledge by passing an online exam for the appropriate category of operations.
- Advanced category applicants must pass an in-person flight review skill assessment.
The product. The aircraft itself has to qualify for the operation you intend.
- Must be declared by the manufacturer to meet certain standards if used in controlled airspace, within 3 NM of airports or registered aerodromes, or within 1 NM of heliports.
- Must be operated according to the manufacturer’s guidance, including temperature and maintenance requirements.
The procedures. Operators in both the Basic and Advanced categories must have:
- Site survey procedures.
- Standard operating procedures for normal and emergency operations.
- A method of tracking flight hours and maintenance.
You can read the regulations for yourself in Canada Gazette, Part II — SOR/2019-11.
More to come — we’re researching and aggregating the key points as quickly as we can.
Looking for the rules that are actually in force today?
Explore Coastal Drone courses for current Basic, Advanced, and Level 1 Complex Operations training.