Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. OPP Beat

Do you fly a drone? Put down the controls and read this

'Drones are aircraft — which makes you a pilot. When you fly your drone, you're sharing the skies with other drones and aircraft. Before you fly, understand the rules'
Village Media
drone-2816244_1920
Image by Gerd Altmann/geralt via Pixababy

Do you fly a drone? The Ontario Provincial Police have some important tips for you.

Did you know, for instance, that custom-built drones over a certain weigh need to be registered?

Below is a news release from the East Algoma OPP with some tips and reminders for drone owners:

BLIND RIVER - The East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding anyone operating a drone that it is your responsibility to operate safely and legally.

Drones are aircraft — which makes you a pilot. When you fly your drone, you're sharing the skies with other drones and aircraft. Before you fly, understand the rules you must follow and review the safety tips.

In Canada, you must follow the rules set out in the Canadian Aviation Regulations, respect the applicable Criminal Code related sections, and all municipal, provincial, and territorial laws related to trespassing and privacy.

Before flying a drone, make sure to understand the rules that apply and follow them:

  • All drones between 250 grams (g) and 25 kilograms (kg) in weight must be registered. This includes custom-built drones and drones built from a kit or off-the shelf.
  • Drones under 250 g do not need to be registered unless something is attached to it that increases its weight to 250 g or more.
  • Drones over 25 kg also do not need to be registered but require a special flight operations certificate instead.

Is a licence required?

Only if the drone is between 250 g and 25 kg, the operator must carry a valid drone pilot certificate and the drone must be registered. If you are flying a drone that is less than 250 grams, you do not need to register the drone or get a drone pilot certificate.

Penalties

If you fly a drone without meeting these requirements, fines are:

  • $1,000 for recreational users
  • $5,000 for commercial users

Police are asking drone operators to respect the privacy of others and avoid flying over private property or taking photos or videos without permission.

The OPP is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the communities it serves.

To learn more, click here.