Saskatoon company embraces new federal drone regulations

The federal government has announced new rules for people to operate drones between half a pound and 55 pounds.

It includes a mandatory online exam, minimum ages for operation and drone registration requirements.

Andrew Carson from Dragonfly Innovations welcomes the changes for pilots.

“Drones are aircraft,” Carson explained. “It’s not so much about the ground you’re flying over, so much as the air space you’re flying in.”

Dragonfly Innovations mainly works with people using drones for commercial proposes, including mapping, policing or agriculture.

But Carson thinks the clear regulations could bring in more people.

“It’s kind of simplified the understanding of how to identify what airspace you want to be operating in and the next steps,” he said.

Under the new rules, which take effect June 1, drones must stay below 400 feet above ground level and stay away from air traffic.

While Transport Canada numbers show a spike in aviation safety incidents involving drones, the Saskatoon Airport Authority told CKOM it hadn’t had any recent issues.

The airport authority said it’s happy with the regulation changes and believes it puts the onus on the public to know the rules of operation.

With files from the Canadian Press.