Aviation in Ontario

[JJTheJetPln]

I'm not waiving a rule book at anyone - just reminding us that a little caution goes a long way when we're sharing airspace.

Oh, 100%. I usually maintain 60-120ft as per the drone max or altitude zones. I figure I'd be especially concerned if there were an aircraft flying 60-120ft above my head because at that point, I probably shouldn't even be in the area LOL.

 

[TwinHuey]

Am I the first to crash a Mini 5 Pro?

I decided to try ActiveTrack today—despite the fact that the two YouTube reviews I watched both had crashes. Maybe that was a sign. LOL.

I biked to the new section of trail connecting Morningside Park to the Meadoway at Ellesmere. It’s a gorgeous stretch along Highland Creek with three big new bridges. The sun was so bright I could barely see the screen prompts on my RC2, but I eventually got ActiveTrack going and had the drone follow me while I rode the trail and crossed the bridges.

To be safe, I had it fly forward while tracking me for better obstruction avoidance. I held my breath when it approached the first bridge—it slowed, then dipped just enough to slide under the overhead structure and kept following. Same with the second bridge. At that point I’m thinking DJI has absolutely knocked it out of the park with this tech.

The third bridge threw it off. At the entrance, it drifted off to the side and stopped tracking. No big deal—I started a new flight and rode back the same way I came, making sure the drone continued tracking me flying forward.

But when it came up to the next bridge, it slowed… then flew straight into one of the large supports on the side of the structure. Clipped the beam, went out of control and crashed on to the steel deck.

I checked it over and somehow the only damage was the rotor blade tip caps on the left side.

I swapped them out when I got home (two-minute job) and test flew—everything works fine.

I'm not so keen to try Active Track again.

And just to complete the humiliation, I was so focused on the ActiveTrack settings I forgot to hit record. Duh.

 

[Tim MacDonald]

Lady luck was with you today, @TwinHuey . Had it been me, it would have ended up in the river!

I'd check it over really carefully just to be sure there aren't any hairline cracks that may propagate.

 

[JJTheJetPln]

Live and learn is what I always say! I flew mine into my house wanting to try out collision avoidance and it fell from around 5 feet high. Just had to replace the blades, but many were much less lucky, needing to send their drones in for service and whatnot.

 

[TwinHuey]

Two charged for allegedly flying drones over Rogers Centre during Blue Jays playoff games

Toronto police say two people are facing charges for flying drones over the Rogers Centre during Blue Jays postseason games.

www.cp24.com

 

[Tim MacDonald]

Two charged for allegedly flying drones over Rogers Centre during Blue Jays playoff games

Toronto police say two people are facing charges for flying drones over the Rogers Centre during Blue Jays postseason games.

www.cp24.com

Check for notams ladies and gents. They apply to us microdrone operators, too.

 

[TwinHuey]

Check for notams ladies and gents. They apply to us microdrone operators, too.

Thanks Tim.

And advertised events that may not have a NOTAM

Get permission for special drone operations

Getting permission to fly your drone. When to apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate or exemption.

tc.canada.ca

"flying at an advertised event (including microdrones)"

 

[Tim MacDonald]

Thanks Tim.

And advertised events that may not have a NOTAM

Get permission for special drone operations

Getting permission to fly your drone. When to apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate or exemption.

tc.canada.ca

"flying at an advertised event (including microdrones)"

Yes, the special events rule is part of the updated rules that take effect Nov 5th I believe. Until then, there might be a NOTAM issued for areas around the stadium on game days. If there was no notam, I'd be curious to know what those three rpas pilots were charged under.

 

[TwinHuey]

Yes, the special events rule is part of the updated rules that take effect Nov 5th I believe. Until then, there might be a NOTAM issued for areas around the stadium on game days. If there was no notam, I'd be curious to know what those three rpas pilots were charged under.

I thought it was to be effective Nov 5 too, but then I found the Transport Canada release (see link).

The special events rule was effective April 1, 2025.

New requirements for microdrones at advertised events​

As of April 1, 2025, an SFOC will now be required to fly microdrones at advertised events.

2025 Summary of changes to Canada’s drone regulations

tc.canada.ca

The technology the police and TC use will likely show the type, location, altitude of the drone and also the location of the controller.

 

[Tim MacDonald]

Media and police keep saying things like no fly zone. That's different than needing a permit through sfoc. So what's an advertised event? Is a street hockey game an advertised event because a facebook group said let's play today at this time? How about a sailing regatta? How close can one get to an "advertised event?" Are there high profile events like the Jay's game that did result in charges and low profile events like that canoe thing that Kotsy beautifully photographed and johnny law didn't care about? How about a street party held on a cul de sac each Canada day with a flyer delivered to your door in advance? Is that an advertised event?

These amendments were announced in March i think so I'm surprised that the advertised event thing went into effect in April when the rest of the rules are effective Nov 5th.

 

[TwinHuey]

Media and police keep saying things like no fly zone. That's different than needing a permit through sfoc. So what's an advertised event? Is a street hockey game an advertised event because a facebook group said let's play today at this time? How about a sailing regatta? How close can one get to an "advertised event?" Are there high profile events like the Jay's game that did result in charges and low profile events like that canoe thing that Kotsy beautifully photographed and johnny law didn't care about? How about a street party held on a cul de sac each Canada day with a flyer delivered to your door in advance? Is that an advertised event?

These amendments were announced in March i think so I'm surprised that the advertised event thing went into effect in April when the rest of the rules are effective Nov 5th.

You’re raising really valid points Tim — the “advertised event” language is pretty open to interpretation, and I don’t think most pilots (or police, for that matter) have a consistent definition yet. Your examples — regattas, street parties, Facebook-organized events — are exactly the grey areas that are going to cause confusion.

Back when I was flying helicopters under the old Air Regulations, we dealt with similar wording around “open air assemblies of persons.” It was vague then too. But the rule of thumb we followed was always to err on the side of caution. If there was any chance it could be interpreted as an organized gathering, we treated it that way. Nobody ever got in trouble for being too safe.

I suspect Transport Canada and law enforcement are going to focus mainly on the high-profile stuff — stadiums, parades, festivals, protests — especially where there’s media or security involved. But until they define “advertised event” in plain language, it’s going to feel murky. For now, I’m treating it like I did in my helicopter days: if people were intentionally gathered for something, and someone promoted it in any way, I assume it qualifies.

 

[Tim MacDonald]

You’re raising really valid points Tim — the “advertised event” language is pretty open to interpretation, and I don’t think most pilots (or police, for that matter) have a consistent definition yet. Your examples — regattas, street parties, Facebook-organized events — are exactly the grey areas that are going to cause confusion.

Back when I was flying helicopters under the old Air Regulations, we dealt with similar wording around “open air assemblies of persons.” It was vague then too. But the rule of thumb we followed was always to err on the side of caution. If there was any chance it could be interpreted as an organized gathering, we treated it that way. Nobody ever got in trouble for being too safe.

I suspect Transport Canada and law enforcement are going to focus mainly on the high-profile stuff — stadiums, parades, festivals, protests — especially where there’s media or security involved. But until they define “advertised event” in plain language, it’s going to feel murky. For now, I’m treating it like I did in my helicopter days: if people were intentionally gathered for something, and someone promoted it in any way, I assume it qualifies.

I almost feel like since it is so vague, an argument could almost be made (half joking, maybe not) that if the weather person on 680 News says "It's going to be a hot, sticky day out, head down to the Lake, have a barbecue and enjoy it" that will end up being an advertised event!

 

[TwinHuey]

I’ve always had the impression that Transport Canada’s first instinct with recreational drone pilots was to educate rather than charge, unless there was a pattern of disregard or clear risk to aviation safety.

The criminal conviction I mentioned earlier — the one near Yellowknife — was a good example. That individual had been warned multiple times before it finally went to court

I don’t know the full story behind the Rogers Centre charges, but it does make me wonder if TC and law enforcement are starting to tighten things up and send a stronger message.

With the new “advertised event” rule coming into focus, maybe they're trying to set a tone early rather than wait for a serious incident.

 

[lenaitch]

It would be interesting to know what charges the TPS in the Rogers Centre incident. It's been too many years but it was my impression that only the RCMP or a 'person designated by the Minister' had general powers under the Aeronautics Act. I used to know and tried to find a reference but could not.

I would not over estimate the amount of knowledge that law enforcement has in this area. As you folks are no doubt aware, it is a regulatory-heavy area that can be difficult for people who are regularly involved in aviation, let alone street cops.

You folks are right that the definition of an 'advertised event' is horribly vague.

Much of this goes back to my original position that too many hobbyists who operate these things have no clue (or, in some cases, no interest) about the regulatory environment. Regulated airspace is one thing, but if something is reduced to to a NOTAM, how many operators know how to source or even read and understand them. NOTAMS can also put an additional burden to people responding to emergent and evolving events. Another thing for a Fire Boss or law enforcement supervisor to have to consider, and by the time it is issued, it may not sufficiently current.

 

[TwinHuey]

It would be interesting to know what charges the TPS in the Rogers Centre incident. It's been too many years but it was my impression that only the RCMP or a 'person designated by the Minister' had general powers under the Aeronautics Act. I used to know and tried to find a reference but could not.

I would not over estimate the amount of knowledge that law enforcement has in this area. As you folks are no doubt aware, it is a regulatory-heavy area that can be difficult for people who are regularly involved in aviation, let alone street cops.

You folks are right that the definition of an 'advertised event' is horribly vague.

Much of this goes back to my original position that too many hobbyists who operate these things have no clue (or, in some cases, no interest) about the regulatory environment. Regulated airspace is one thing, but if something is reduced to to a NOTAM, how many operators know how to source or even read and understand them. NOTAMS can also put an additional burden to people responding to emergent and evolving events. Another thing for a Fire Boss or law enforcement supervisor to have to consider, and by the time it is issued, it may not sufficiently current.

Good points, and you're absolutely right that most front-line officers aren’t deep into the CARs — it’s a niche world even for people in aviation. That’s why I don’t think TPS acted on their own in the Rogers Centre situation.

Transport Canada has Regional Aviation Enforcement Offices, and the Inspectors there live and breathe this stuff. They know the regs inside out and they’re the ones who normally drive these files.

My guess is TC Enforcement was involved behind the scenes and worked with TPS to investigate and lay the charges. Sort of a “they load the gun, TPS pulls the trigger” arrangement.

It wouldn’t surprise me if TC wanted to set an example early under the new advertised-event rule, especially with a high-profile venue like the Rogers Centre during playoffs.