Canadian drone rules for basic operations (CARs Part IX)

Basic operations are the starting point for every drone pilot in Canada. They cover a small RPA (250 g to 25 kg) flown in visual line of sight, in uncontrolled airspace, at least 30 m (100 ft) horizontally from people not involved in the flight. The rules below come from Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations as amended in November 2025.

Altitude and distance

• Maximum altitude: 122 m (400 ft) AGL, or up to 30 m (100 ft) above a building or structure when you are within 61 m (200 ft) of it horizontally.
• Keep at least 30 m (100 ft) from people who are not part of the operation, at any altitude. People inside buildings or vehicles are not counted, but they must still be safe.
• Basic pilots stay at least 3 NM from the centre of an airport and 1 NM from the centre of a heliport, and must not interfere with any aerodrome's traffic circuit.
• Near a military aerodrome, stay 3 NM away unless the Department of National Defence allows otherwise.

Visual line of sight and the crew

You or a visual observer must see the aircraft with unaided eyes. Sunglasses and prescription glasses are fine; binoculars and zoom lenses are not. Flying with FPV goggles requires a visual observer watching the surrounding airspace.

You must give way to all manned aircraft, including gliders and balloons. If a conflict looks likely, the fastest escape is usually to descend.

Night, weather and ice

At night the aircraft needs lights that let you or your observer see it, and they must be on. There is no fixed minimum visibility in Part IX; the weather must let you keep visual line of sight for the whole flight and stay within the manufacturer's limits. Never fly with frost, ice or snow on propellers or other critical surfaces.

Fitness to fly

No acting as a crew member within 12 hours of drinking alcohol, while impaired by any drug, or while too tired to fly safely. Transport Canada recommends waiting at least 28 days after cannabis use.

Before every flight

You must do a site survey: airspace and NOTAMs, nearby aerodromes and aircraft, obstacles such as wires and towers, weather, and distance from people. Confirm enough battery for the whole flight, brief your crew, and know how far the aircraft can safely go. Normal and emergency procedures must be ready, including lost link and fly-away.

Advertised events such as concerts and festivals need a special flight operations certificate (SFOC), whatever the drone's weight.