Canadian drone hobbyists could soon be facing stricter regulations, as Transport Canada is considering requiring recreational small drone users obtain a licence and insurance before they take flight.
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Jimmy Houssen of Moncton runs a small business capturing and selling aerial drone footage. He has a certificate from Transport Canada that allows him to operate his commercial drone as a professional at higher altitudes.
“Anyone can go into a store and purchase a drone and charge the battery and have never flown before and they are in their air within an hour or two,” Houssen said.
Among the proposed regulation changes, the department is suggesting that anyone flying a drone weighing more than 250 grams would have to register it, pass a knowledge test and carry liability insurance.
READ MORE: New drone rules coming next year: Transport Canada
Houssen said he welcomes the stricter regulations.
“It’s important when something is flying up in the air, near manned aircraft, where real lives are a stake that there is some regulation, some training the pilot has at least undertaken,” he said.
“A pilot has to have a license, I have to have a license to drive my car, it should not be any different when flying a drone.”
Aviation industry also welcomes regulations
President and CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport, Bernard LeBlanc says before drones became so popular, their biggest air space safety concern was birds flying into plane engines.
“With drones it’s a bit of the same thing, but maybe even more of a challenge because you are talking harder materials and more risk of damage to the aircraft.”
READ MORE: Aviation industry aims to make airports a ‘no drone zone’
Since 2014 Transport Canada has investigated 240 potential infractions involving drones in Canada — 25 per cent of them in Atlantic Canada.
LeBlanc says the airport has not had any close calls with drone, but welcomes the tougher regulations.
The department is also proposing that only children 14 and older be allowed to fly the small devices.
The proposed regulations could take effect in 2017.
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