High Altitude Object Incidents
Location: National
Issue/Source: Sightings of high altitude objects in Canadian Airspace
Date: March 6, 2023
Suggested Responses
- The safety and security of the Canadian transportation system is of paramount importance to Transport Canada.
- Transport Canada is aware of the recent sightings and events of Unidentified Flying Objects in Canadian Airspace.
- During these events Transport Canada, alongside key government counterparts and aviation partners, took action, to mitigate any aviation safety risks including the issuance of Notice to Airman (NOTAMs).
- Transport Canada remains in close communication and coordination with key partners and will not not hesitate to take appropriate action to continue to ensure aviation safety for the travelling public.
If Pressed
- In the Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS), the term “UFO” can be used to describe many things, including sightings of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS or drones), balloons, meteors, weather phenomena, and birds. It should not be interpreted to mean something of extraterrestrial origin.
Background Information
- A balloon is an aircraft as defined in the Aeronautics Act. Specifically, a balloon is defined as a "non-power driven lighter-than-air aircraft". Whether operating freely, under temporary tether or as a permanently-tethered unit, balloons are subject to the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
- Canadian Aviation Regulation 602.42 (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-96-433/page-58.html#h-993957) states that no person shall release an unoccupied free balloon having a gas-carrying capacity of more than 115 cubic feet (3.256 m3) except in accordance with an authorization issued by the Minister of Transport. Any individual that breaks these rules can be subject to fines. The Minister may issue an authorization where the release of the balloon is in the public interest and is not likely to affect aviation safety. Many weather balloons are launched and sometimes they do cross the border. In addition to being launched on a schedule from designated locations, the balloons will be coordinated with air traffic control and carry a transponder or radar reflective material when necessary.
- The regulations are currently effective in that all large unmanned balloon operations require specific authority by the Minister, and therefore must meet a high threshold in design and operation before they will receive the required authorization.
- All large unmanned balloons launched in Canada will be registered as part of their authorization process. If they do not provide the information required for registration, they will not receive an authorization. There are fines of up to $5,000 (individual) or $25,000 (Corporation) for launching an unmanned large balloon without the Minister’s authorization.
- Transport Canada collects aviation occurrence information through the Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System known as CADORS. The purpose of the system is to provide initial information on occurrences involving any Canadian-registered aircraft, as well as events which occur at Canadian airports, in Canadian sovereign airspace, or international airspace for which Canada has accepted responsibility that includes events involving foreign registered aircraft. CADORS is also used to capture information that air traffic services operations certificate holders are required to report under the Canadian Aviation Regulations. The information gathered is often used in the early identification of potential hazards and system deficiencies. It should be treated as preliminary, unsubstanciated and subject to change.
- When reports like these are generated, the next steps depend on the type of the incident reported. Further follow up may be undertaken by various organizations including Transport Canada, NAV CANADA, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the North American Aerospace Defence Command.