When you fly a drone, you’re the pilot. You’re responsible for all the personal information collected by your drone. You must take reasonable steps to avoid capturing personal information including faces, license plates, etc.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Airspace restrictions are not enforceable by Community Peace Officers or RCMP. If you have a concern about drone operations, refer to the information below to report an incident.
Penhold is located in Class C and Class D airspace which means NO ONE is allowed to fly a basic drone operation. People are allowed to fly advanced operations however, once they have a license, registration, flight path review, and permission from air traffic control.
There are three categories of drone operations:
- Basic
- Advanced operations
- Microdrone (less than 250g)
For microdrones the restrictions are considerably less. Below is a map of the microdrone restricted area for Penhold, which shows we are outside the restricted airspace but inside the control zone which means microdrones must be flown with extra caution.
Microdrone restricted area - Penhold
For basic and advanced drones: Violating the class C and D zones described pertain only to basic and advanced drones. Meaning both those types of drones are not permitted in Penhold due to airspace regulations. Those regulations are enforced by the airport authorities and Transport Canada. Fines for violating those restrictions are up to $1000 and fines for putting aircraft or people at risk are $3000.
Basic & Advance Drones are not permitted without NAV Canada authorization
Before you fly
When you fly a drone, you’re the pilot. You’re responsible for all the personal information collected by your drone. You must take reasonable steps to avoid capturing personal information including faces, license plates, etc.
Before you fly:
- Understand the legal requirements
- Understand the category of drone you are flying
- Follow the drone manufacturers instructions
- Survey the area where you will fly
- Take note of any obstacles, such as buildings and power lines
- Only fly where you can see the drone
- Only fly below 122 m (400 ft) in the air
- ALWAYS fly away from bystanders, at a minimum of 100 feet horizontally
- AVOID emergency operations and advertised events
- Respect other peoples property and privacy
Microdrones (Less than 250 g)
Drones with a take-off weight of less than 250 grams are known as Microdrones. The maximin take-off weight of your drone includes batteries or anything you attach to it like:
- Communications equipment
- Sensors
- Cameras
- Lights
Microdrones are not required to be registered and operators do not require a drone pilot certificate. Microdrone operators should:
- Keep drone below 122 m (400 ft) in the air
- Keep drone where you can see it
- Avoid advertised events
Microdrone Infographic from Canada.ca
If you fly a microdrone, you MUST:
- Fly safely, don't put people or other aircraft in danger
- Avoid emergency sites and restricted airspace (forest fires, first responder perimeters)
- Know and follow provincial, territorial or municipal rules that may also apply, including rules about privacy and trespassing
Drone Categories over 250 g
Drones with a take off weight of 250 g to 250 kg MUST be registered and operators must have a Drone Pilot Certificate.
Drone Pilot Certificate - Advance Operations is required for Penhold due to controlled airspace
Special Flight Operations Certificate is required to fly:
- at an advertised event
- a drone over 35 kg
- above 122 m (400 ft)
Click here for Drone Category Info from Canada.ca
Click here for Where Can You Fly Your Drone info from Canada.ca
Drone Operation Categories
- Basic
Restricted Airspace Map - You fly in uncontrolled airspace
- You fly more than 100 ft horizontally from people
- You never fly it over bystanders
- Advanced operations
- You fly it in controlled airspace
- You fly over bystanders
- You fly within 100 ft horizontally of bystanders
- Microdrone (less than 250 g)
- Must fly away from aircraft and airports
- Must not put people at risk or property in danger
- Must maintain line of sight
Because Penhold is located in the class C and class D airspace NO ONE is allowed to fly a basic drone operation. People are allowed to fly advanced operations however, once they have a license, registration, flight path review, and permission from air traffic control.
Microdrones restrictions are considerably less. Below is a map of the microdrone restricted area for Penhold, which shows we are outside the restricted airspace but inside the control zone which means microdrones must be flown with extra caution.
Microdrone restricted local area
Report a Drone Incident
To report a drone incident related to airspace (basic or advanced drones in the Red Deer Regional Airports airspace) fill out this form https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/report-drone-incident