Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)
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Regulations are current to 2025-05-05 and last amended on 2025-04-01. Previous Versions
AMENDMENTS NOT IN FORCE
— SOR/2020-238, s. 3
3 The reference “Subsection 605.38.1(1)” in column I of Subpart 5 of Part VI of Schedule II to Subpart 3 of Part I of the Regulations and the corresponding amounts in column II are repealed.
— SOR/2020-238, s. 5(1)
5 (1) Subsection 605.38(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(1) Subject to subsection (3), no person shall operate an aircraft unless it is equipped with one or more ELTs, in accordance with subsection (2), that transmit simultaneously on the 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz frequencies.
— SOR/2020-238, s. 7
7 Section 605.38.1 of the Regulations and the heading before it are repealed.
— SOR/2021-269, s. 2(2)
2 (2) Subpart 2 of Part III of Schedule II to Subpart 3 of Part I of the Regulations is amended by striking out the reference “Subsection 302.601(2)” in column I and the corresponding amounts in column II.
— SOR/2021-269, s. 5
5 Section 302.601 of the Regulations and the heading before it are repealed.
— SOR/2021-269, s. 6
6 Sections 302.603 and 302.604 of the Regulations are replaced by the following:
302.603 The operator of an airport shall notify the Minister, no later than 90 days before the end of the period referred to in paragraph 302.600(5)(a) or (b), as applicable, of the manner in which the operator intends to comply with the requirements of subsection 302.600(1).
Ministerial Order
302.604 If the operator fails to comply with the requirements of subsection 302.600(1), the Minister is authorized to make an order requiring the operator of an airport to reduce the length of the ASDA, LDA or TORA by the length required to meet the minimum length of a RESA.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 11
11 Subpart 1 of Part IX of Schedule II to Subpart 3 of Part I of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after the reference “Section 901.38”:
Column I Column II Designated Provision Maximum Amount of Penalty ($) Individual Corporation Section 901.38.1 1,000 5,000
— SOR/2025-70, s. 22
22 Subsection 104.06.1(1) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by replacing paragraph (d) with the following:
(d) paragraphs 1(e) to (i) of Schedule VII to this Subpart; and
(e) item 19 of Schedule VII to this Subpart.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 23
23 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 104.06.1:
Exception — Emergency Response Operations
104.06.2 A charge imposed in respect of the issuance of documents referred to in paragraphs 1(e) to (i) of column I of Schedule VII to this Subpart is not payable by a government organization in respect of an emergency response operation.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 31(2)
31 (2) Schedule VII to Subpart 4 of Part I of the Regulations is amended by replacing the references after the heading “SCHEDULE VII” with the following:
(Sections 104.01 and 104.02, paragraphs 104.06.1(1)(d) and (e) and section 104.06.2)
— SOR/2025-70, s. 32
32 Item 1 of Schedule VII to Subpart 4 of Part I of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after paragraph (d):
Column I Column II Item Document or Preparatory Action in Respect of Which a Charge Is Imposed Charge ($) 1 (e) very low-complexity RPAS operations
20 (f) low-complexity RPAS operations
75 (g) medium-complexity RPAS operations
900 (h) high-complexity RPAS operations
2,000 (i) an amendment to a special flight operations certificate — RPAS
60
— SOR/2025-70, s. 45
45 Section 900.02.1 of the Regulations and the heading before it are repealed.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 51(2)
51 (2) Subsection 901.11(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(2) A pilot may operate a remotely piloted aircraft system without the pilot or a visual observer having the aircraft in visual line-of-sight if the operation is one referred to in paragraph 901.62(b) or (c) that is conducted in accordance with Division V or is an operation referred to in section 901.87 that is conducted in accordance with Division VI or if the operation is conducted in accordance with a special flight operations certificate — RPAS issued under section 903.03.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 54
54 Section 901.14 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
901.14 No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in controlled airspace except in accordance with
(a) subsection 901.71(1), in the case of an operation conducted under Division V; and
(b) a special flight operations certificate — RPAS issued under section 903.03, in any other case.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 56(2)
56 (2) Section 901.22 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
901.22 No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft that carries persons on board except in accordance with a special flight operations certificate – RPAS issued under section 903.03.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 60
60 Section 901.27 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
901.27 No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system unless, before commencing the operation, they determine that the operational volume is suitable by conducting a site survey that takes into account the following factors:
(a) the type of airspace and any requirements applicable to the flight geography, including any specified in a NOTAM;
(b) the altitudes and routes to be used for approach, take-off, launch, landing or recovery;
(c) the proximity of other aircraft operations;
(d) the proximity of airports, heliports and other aerodromes;
(e) the location and height of obstacles, including wires, masts, buildings, cell phone towers and wind turbines;
(f) the predominant weather and environmental conditions and the weather forecast for the duration of the flight;
(g) in the case of a VLOS operation, an extended VLOS operation or a sheltered operation, the horizontal distance from any person not involved in the operation; and
(h) in the case of a BVLOS operation, the distance from any populated area or sparsely populated area.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 63
63 Section 901.31 of the Regulations and the heading before it are replaced by the following:
Operating Manuals
901.31 No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system unless it is operated in accordance with the applicable operating manuals.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 67(2)
67 (2) Subsection 901.38(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
901.38 (1) Unless the operation is conducted under Division VI, no pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system using a first-person view device unless a visual observer maintains unaided visual contact with the airspace beyond the field of view displayed on the device in order to detect conflicting air traffic and other hazards and take action to avoid them.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 68
68 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 901.38:
Anti-collision Lights
901.38.1 (1) Subject to subsection (3), no pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a BVLOS operation unless the aircraft is equipped with anti-collision lights and those lights are turned on.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), anti-collision lights shall
(a) be white in colour;
(b) for operations at night, be visible using night-vision goggles;
(c) flash at a rate of not less than 40, and not more than 100, cycles per minute;
(d) be visible in all directions within 75 degrees above and below the horizontal plane of the aircraft, with the exception of solid angles of obstructed visibility totalling not more than 0.5 steradians; and
(e) have an intensity such that they are visible in all directions from a distance of not less than one mile.
(3) Anti-collision lights may be turned off if the pilot determines that, because of operating conditions, doing so would be in the interests of aviation safety.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 72(1)
72 (1) Paragraph 901.43(1)(a) of the Regulations is repealed.
— SOR/2025-70, ss. 95(2), (3)
95 (2) Paragraph 903.01(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(a) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft having an operating weight of more than 150 kg (331 pounds);
(3) Paragraph 903.01(c) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(c) any other operation of a small remotely piloted aircraft or medium remotely piloted aircraft for which the Minister determines that a special flight operations certificate — RPAS is necessary to ensure aviation safety or the safety of any person.
— SOR/2025-70, s. 97
97 Sections 903.02 and 903.03 of the Regulations are replaced by the following:
903.02 (1) For the purpose of an application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS, the operation, other than for the purpose of providing a commercial air service, of a remotely piloted aircraft system that includes a remotely piloted aircraft that is not registered in accordance with Division III is a very low-complexity operation.
(2) For the purposes of an application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS, the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system at an advertised event is a low-complexity operation.
(3) For the purpose of an application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS, the following operations are medium-complexity operations:
(a) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft having an operating weight of more than 150 kg (331 pounds);
(b) the operation by a person described in subsection 900.09(2) of a remotely piloted aircraft system for the purpose of providing a commercial air service;
(c) the operation, for the purpose of providing a commercial air service, of a remotely piloted aircraft system that includes a remotely piloted aircraft that is not registered in accordance with Division III;
(d) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft at an altitude greater than one of the altitudes referred to in subsection 901.25(1), unless the operation at a greater altitude is authorized under subsection 901.71(2);
(e) the operation of more than five remotely piloted aircraft at a time to conduct a VLOS operation, or the operation of more than one remotely piloted aircraft at a time to conduct an operation that is not a VLOS operation, from a single control station; and
(f) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft outside of Canadian Domestic Airspace.
(4) For the purpose of an application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS, the following operations are high-complexity operations:
(a) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system without the pilot or a visual observer having the aircraft in visual line-of-sight if the operation is not a sheltered operation or an extended VLOS operation conducted under Division V or a BVLOS operation conducted under Division VI;
(b) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft to transport any of the payloads referred to in subsection 901.43(1);
(c) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a BVLOS operation within five nautical miles of an aerodrome that is listed in the Canada Flight Supplement or the Water Aerodrome Supplement;
(d) the operation, in weather conditions that do not meet the conditions set out in section 901.34, of a remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a BVLOS operation or of a medium remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a VLOS operation;
(e) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft that carries persons on board; and
(f) any other operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system for which the Minister determines that a special flight operations certificate — RPAS is necessary to ensure aviation safety or the safety of any person.
(5) If the application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS is in respect of several operations, the highest complexity level applies except in the case of an application in respect of two or more medium-complexity operations, in which case the application is deemed to be in respect of a high-complexity operation.
(6) A person who proposes to operate a remotely piloted aircraft system to conduct very low-complexity or low-complexity operations shall apply to the Minister for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS by submitting the following information:
(a) the legal name, trade name, if any, address and contact information of the applicant;
(b) the means by which the person responsible for the operation can be contacted;
(c) the operations for which the application is made;
(d) the manufacturer and model of the system and the registration number, if any, referred to in paragraph 900.16(3)(a);
(e) the pilot certificate number issued to any crew member; and
(f) any other information requested by the Minister pertinent to the safe conduct of the operations.
(7) A person who proposes to operate a remotely piloted aircraft system to conduct medium-complexity or high-complexity operations shall apply to the Minister for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS by submitting the following information:
(a) the legal name, trade name, if any, address and contact information of the applicant;
(b) the means by which the person responsible for the operation can be contacted;
(c) the operations for which the application is made;
(d) the manufacturer and model of the system and the registration number, if any, referred to in paragraph 900.16(3)(a), as well as a complete description of the remotely piloted aircraft that is an element of the system, including its performance, operating limitations and equipment;
(e) a detailed plan describing how the operations are to be carried out;
(f) a risk assessment for the operation that accounts for both ground and air risks;
(g) the pilot certificate number issued to any crew member or a description of the means by which the applicant will ensure that all crew members hold the necessary certificates and qualifications;
(h) the standard procedures for crew members in the case of operations requiring more than one crew member;
(i) the instructions for maintaining the system in a state that is fit and safe for flight;
(j) the type, manufacturer, model and operating limitations of the detect and avoid system to be used, if any, and the procedures respecting the detection and avoidance of conflicting air traffic and other hazards; and
(k) any other information requested by the Minister pertinent to the safe conduct of the operations.
Application to Amend a Special Flight Operations Certificate — RPAS
903.02.1 (1) The holder of a special flight operations certificate — RPAS may apply to the Minister to amend the certificate to change
(a) the dates and alternate dates of the operations;
(b) the location of the operations;
(c) its validity period;
(d) the pilot certificate number issued to a crew member;
(e) the type, manufacturer, model and operating limitations of the detect and avoid system to be used and the procedures respecting the detection and avoidance of conflicting air traffic and other hazards; and
(f) in the case of a certificate in respect of an operation set out in subsections 903.02(1) or (2), the manufacturer and model of the remotely piloted aircraft system and the registration number referred to in paragraph 900.16(3)(a).
(2) An application to amend a special flight operations certificate — RPAS shall include the following information:
(a) the number of the certificate;
(b) the validity period of the certificate; and
(c) the change that is the subject of the application.
Issuance or Amendment of Special Flight Operations Certificate — RPAS
903.03 The Minister shall, on receipt of an application submitted in accordance with section 903.02 or 903.02.1, issue or amend a special flight operations certificate — RPAS if the applicant demonstrates to the Minister the ability to perform the proposed operations without adversely affecting aviation safety or the safety of any person.
Contents of Special Flight Operations Certificate — RPAS
903.04 A special flight operations certificate — RPAS shall contain the following information:
(a) the name and address of the certificate holder;
(b) the number of the certificate;
(c) the date of issue of the certificate;
(d) the validity period of the certificate;
(e) the type of operations authorized; and
(f) any condition pertaining to the operations that the Minister considers necessary for aviation safety or the safety of any person.
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