Table of Contents
- Giving way to other aircraft
- Reminder on recency requirements
- Knowing your drone operating weight
- Processing time for Special Flight Operations Certificates (SFOC-RPAS)
- Updated fees for services provided by Transport Canada
- NAV CANADA market study on the future of drones in Canada
- Have your say: Help shape the future of medium RPAS operations in Canada
- Have your say: Help us rename the Drone Zone newsletter
- Introduction of the Canadian Space Launch Act
- Drones by the numbers
Giving way to other aircraft
Across Canada, spring weather conditions and increased daylight hours increase the number of traditional aircraft in the sky, often at lower altitudes where drones are flown.
Drone pilots must always give way to all other aircraft (CAR 901.17). If a drone pilot sees a traditional aircraft approaching the area of a drone operation, they must take immediate action to exit the airspace by the quickest means possible. This usually means rapidly reducing altitude. For more information, see Chapter 3.2.5 - Right of Way in the Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM).
Drone pilots must be aware of any restrictions that apply to the airspace in their area and adjust operations accordingly. For instance, during the spring and summer months, drone pilots must ensure there are no smoke plumes or active forest fires within 9.3 kilometres of their intended operation. Drone pilots must also consult NOTAMs issued by NAV CANADA containing essential information for safe drone operations. For more information, consult our drones and wildfires infographic (PDF, 926 Kb).
Reminder on recency requirements
Drone pilots holding a Pilot Certificate must complete a recurrent training activity within 24 months of the issuance date of the Pilot Certificate to remain valid. Upon completion, drone pilots must carry proof of meeting this requirement. Completing the 2026-27 edition of Transport Canada’s self-paced study program satisfies this requirement and can be accessed on the 2026-2027 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot Recency Requirements page.
Knowing your drone operating weight
Drone pilots are responsible for confirming the operating weight of their drone. The operating weight and capabilities of the drone, distance from bystanders, and airspace rules define your category of drone operation. Each category has a different set of rules that drone pilots must follow.
According to the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), operating weight means the weight of a remotely piloted aircraft at any point during a flight, including any payload and any safety equipment that is on board or otherwise connected to the aircraft.
In Canada, drones that weigh less than 250 grams are called microdrones. If the operating weight of the drone is 250 grams or more, it isn’t a microdrone. If you wish to operate a drone that weighs 250 grams or more, you must register it and obtain a Pilot Certificate. If you are concerned that your drone might weigh 250 grams or more, you should register it and obtain a Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations or Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations.
In addition to following Part IX of the CARs, drone pilots are subject to all federal, provincial, territorial and municipal laws that may apply, including with respect to privacy and trespassing.
Service standards for issuance of a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS)
As drone pilots prepare for peak flying season, Transport Canada is receiving a high volume of SFOC-RPAS applications. Please be advised of Transport Canada’s service standards with respect to the issuance of an SFOC-RPAS:
|
Service |
Reference |
Service standard |
|---|---|---|
|
Special aviation events |
20 business days |
|
|
Very low-complexity operation |
30 business days |
|
|
Low-complexity operation |
30 business days |
|
|
Re-issuance of an SFOC-RPAS with a minor amendment |
30 business days |
|
|
Medium-complexity operation |
60 business days |
|
|
High-complexity operation |
60 business days |
Actual processing times can vary depending on the complexity and completeness of the request. Please note that the service standard window starts once we receive a complete application and any required documentation and fees.
If you are preparing an SFOC-RPAS application, you are encouraged to consult Advisory Circular (AC) No. 903-002: Application Guidelines for a Special Flight Operations Certificate for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (SFOC-RPAS).
For any questions about an SFOC-RPAS, please email TC.RPASCentre-Centre-SATP.TC@tc.gc.ca.
Updated fees for services provided by Transport Canada
If you recently accessed an RPAS-related service provided by Transport Canada, you may have noticed that the associated fee is slightly higher than before. This is because Transport Canada adjusts most fees for inflation on April 1 of every year as required by the Service Fees Act.
Learn more about service fees at Transport Canada.
NAV CANADA market study on the future of drones in Canada
A new study commissioned by NAV CANADA projects that remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) could become one of Canada’s most dynamic and fast-growing aviation sectors over the next two decades, unlocking tens of billions of dollars in annual economic activity. Read the news release on the NAV Canada website.
Have your say: Help shape the future of medium RPAS operations in Canada
NAV CANADA is seeking input from operators of medium (> 25-150 kg) remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to better understand operational use cases, customer realities, and service needs in Canadian uncontrolled airspace.
Operators are invited to complete a short survey that will help identify usage trends for medium RPAS and inform the design of current and future NAV CANADA service delivery to the broader RPAS sector.
The survey takes approximately 15 minutes, and responses will directly support efforts to better align services with the evolving RPAS operating environment. The survey will close on May 31, 2026.
Thank you for contributing to the future of medium RPAS operations in Canada.
Have your say: Help us rename the Drone Zone
Transport Canada is renaming the Drone Zone to better reflect the diversity of topics covered in the newsletter. While we will continue to focus on RPAS and issues of interest to the Canadian RPAS community, we will use this platform to continue sharing information on AAM, commercial space launch and re-entry, and other emerging aviation technologies.
Submissions should include both an English and French title that convey the same meanings (i.e., direct translation or equivalent in both languages). Please send your ideas to TC.RPASINFO-INFOSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca. Thank you for your participation!
Introduction of the Canadian Space Launch Act
On April 21, 2026, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, introduced the Canadian Space Launch Act to deliver Canadian sovereign space launch capabilities. The Act would enable the government to safely regulate and oversee space launch and re-entry activities conducted from Canadian territory, while also establishing the necessary authorities to provide regulatory certainty to industry, support investment and infrastructure development, and strengthen Canada’s ability to meet its international obligations related to space. Read the news release.
If you have questions for Transport Canada about commercial space launch/re-entry, please email TC.CommercialSpaceLaunch-Lancementspatialcommercial.TC@tc.gc.ca.
Drones by the numbers
*Accurate as of April 30, 2026
- Number of drones registered: 119,393
- Number of Basic Pilot Certificates issued: 135,465
- Number of Advanced Pilot Certificates issued: 21,472
- Number of Level 1 Complex Pilot Certificates issued: 507
- Number of active RPAS Operator Certificates (RPOCs): 487
- Number of Flight Reviewers: 1,344
- Number of self-declared Drone Flight Schools: 280 (includes 77 Level 1 Complex Training Providers)
Thank you for subscribing to the Drone Zone Newsletter! If you have any questions about this publication, please write to us at TC.RPASINFO-INFOSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca.