Drones are hot, but the entire city a no-fly zone
Nine-km airport radius rule hurts city hobbyists
Saskatoon residents rushing to rip the wrapping paper off their new drones this Christmas will face a harsh surprise.
Transport Canada, that Grinch, says drones shouldn't be flown within nine kilometres of an airport — which makes the entire city a no-fly zone.
The rule is part of a new campaign from Transport Canada, with airports joining in, to educate the public on how to safely operate the hugely popular machines.
“We all, in Saskatoon, live close to an airport,” said Andrew Leeming, vice-president of operational excellence for Saskatoon's John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.
While the airport has not yet had any direct safety problems with drones, Leeming likens them to laser pointers.
“At one time they weren't an issue, and the more they proliferate in society, the more they become an issue. This is no different,” he said.
The rules aren't new but they are complicated, and the Transport Canada campaign does a good job of explaining them, he said.
A recreational user might not realize that selling pictures taken with a drone makes it a commercial device.
“On top of that, even if it is recreational and it's around an airport, that's not in the safety practices that are recommended for use,” Leeming added.
Small hobby drones have been flying off the shelves at Express Hobbies this holiday season, owner Warren Collins said.
Normally he'd sell about 12 to 20 a week. Now he's up to as many as 50.
“We cannot keep $40 to $100 drones in the store. We're selling as many as we can get weekly,” he said.
Drones are divided into two broad categories: smaller ones designed for indoor use, and heavier ones, equipped with high resolution cameras, which can cost up to $1,800. Those are used for aerial photos or surveying farmland, and users are well aware of safety regulations, Collins said.
He educates people about the rules limiting where drones can be flown, but people still buy them, he said, adding they're fun and easy to fly.
“As far as the little ones, they're not very dangerous. (People) fly them pretty close in, most of them inside, even.”
Transport Canada says to always ... fly your drone during daylight and in good weather. Keep your drone where you can see it with your own eyes — not only through an on-board camera, monitor or smartphone. Make sure your drone is safe for flight before takeoff. Know if you need to apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate. Respect the privacy of others.
Transport Canada says not to fly ... less than nine kilometres from any airport; higher than 90 metres above the ground or closer than 150 metres to people animals, buildings, structures, or vehicles. Avoid populated areas or near large groups of people, including sporting events, concerts, festivals, and fireworks shows; near moving vehicles, highways, bridges, busy streets or anywhere you could endanger or distract drivers. Stay away from restricted and controlled airspace, including near or over military bases, prisons, and forest fires or anywhere you may interfere with first responders.