Drone close calls near airports spur proposed regulations

Thestar.com
June 11, 2016
By Bruce Campion-Smith

Alarmed by close calls between drones and commercial aircraft, Transport Minister Marc Garneau on Monday will roll out proposed regulations to govern the use of drones and training for those who operate them, the Star has learned.

Recognizing that drones come in many sizes, Transport Canada is looking at creating different categories of rules, depending on how much they weigh and how they will be used.

Those categories will also dictate how much training a drone owner needs to operate the unmanned aerial vehicles.

Garneau will lay out details of the proposed regulations during a news conference Monday morning at Ottawa International Airport, where he will be accompanied by pilot and airport representatives.

While rules are already in place for drone use, the growing popularity of the aerial devices is forcing regulators to go further in a bid to keep drones and aircraft safely separated in the skies.

“While the number of drones in Canada continue to increase, so do the incidents of drones flying too close to airports and aircraft,” according to a background document prepared by the department on drone use.

A senior transport department official said Friday that many drone operators are ignorant about the potential risks.

“Fortunately, we have not seen a catastrophic incident, yet,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There are more and more sightings. We have to act.”

Transport Canada first published proposed regulations a year ago. Monday’s announcement builds on those proposals. Still, while officials express concern over drone use, they concede it will be months yet before regulations are in force.

That’s why in addition to regulations, Transport Canada will also roll out a new public awareness campaign.

It will be aimed at new drone pilots who are likely unfamiliar with aviation regulations and in the dark about the potential hazards of piloting the devices in the airspace around airports.

“It is only by informing the public of the possible fines and jail time does that department believe it will change the public’s behaviour,” the background document said.

Garneau’s announcement comes just weeks after two CF-18 fighter jets were scrambled to investigate the reports made by the pilots of two commercial flights who said they spotted a drone over Ottawa during their arrival.

As drones have exploded in popularity, such reports are becoming more and more commons. And as drones become more capable and able to fly higher, the risk of a mid-air collision increases.

Transport Canada investigated 97 drone incidents in 2015, up from 61 in 2014 and just six in 2013.

People who operate a drone in a “reckless and negligent manner,’ violate controlled airspace around airports or endanger an aircraft can face fines of up to $25,000 and possible jail time. So far in 2016, Transport Canada has levied eight fines, compared to five in 2015 and 13 in 2014.