Drone buying help - parachutes and Canada

[AkaoMiru]

Hi - new member here, and totally new to drone piloting, but I have a very specific requirement to consider in buying a drone - it has to be able to equip a parachute.

I'm in Canada, and my work is open to the idea of purchasing a drone and getting me any related pilot training, but the main restriction on whichever drone we go with is that it MUST be able to equip a parachute. Our security staff insist on this, and it's a non-negotiable point.

However, I seem to run into a wall whenever I try to find any info about affordable drone/parachutes combinations and where to buy in Canada (buying from the US is not an option in the current climate).

In terms of budget, a DJI Mini 5 Pro would work but, as far as I can tell, there are no parachute options that would work with a drone this small (unless I'm missing something?). So, with that in mind, what would the next model up be that would be able to equip a parachute (and preferably not one that costs more than the drone itself!)

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide (and apologies if questions like this should be in another forum!)

 

[Cafguy]

There are regulations for "approved" parachute systems. Companies such as AVSS get certification from your aviation authorities to build systems for Certain Drones.
For "Parachute" Drones you need to look into an Enterprise series DJI. These are the only Drones I know that can carry a "certified" Parachute system (AVSS System)
The inspire has been approved with the nexus system.
You should check with the CAA (or possibly the companies insurance carrier) for details on an "approved" parachute system.
Welcome to the Forum! From Bakersfield!
P.S. Its not cheap!!

 

[GFields]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA: welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
All drone/parachutes combinations are going to be fairly expensive.

 

[sarahb]

Welcome!

 

[AkaoMiru]

Thank you all - you've at least helped point me in some directions that let me know that what we'd need would exceed our budget! I'll be keeping an eye on any new regulations or Transport Canada approved options that might one day fit the bill, but now I know more about what to look for

 

[MA2 317]

Hello from the Crossroads of America AkaoMiru.

Nice to meet you.

Good luck with shopping and welcome to the Forum.

 

[Cafguy]

Thank you all - you've at least helped point me in some directions that let me know that what we'd need would exceed our budget! I'll be keeping an eye on any new regulations or Transport Canada approved options that might one day fit the bill, but now I know more about what to look for

Why the chute? Are you directly over people? and if so, could you run a tether line between some structures across the area and strap the drone to it? That would be the cheapest and safest way I would think.
Transport Canada's rules (CARS 901.23) require drones operating within 30 meters horizontally or 5 meters vertically of bystanders to have safety features, with parachutes being a proven method to reduce impact risk and while the chute would be a good idea safety wise I would think a tether would suffice to meet the requirements of the rule.

 

[jaja6009]

Hi - new member here, and totally new to drone piloting, but I have a very specific requirement to consider in buying a drone - it has to be able to equip a parachute.

I'm in Canada, and my work is open to the idea of purchasing a drone and getting me any related pilot training, but the main restriction on whichever drone we go with is that it MUST be able to equip a parachute. Our security staff insist on this, and it's a non-negotiable point.

However, I seem to run into a wall whenever I try to find any info about affordable drone/parachutes combinations and where to buy in Canada (buying from the US is not an option in the current climate).

In terms of budget, a DJI Mini 5 Pro would work but, as far as I can tell, there are no parachute options that would work with a drone this small (unless I'm missing something?). So, with that in mind, what would the next model up be that would be able to equip a parachute (and preferably not one that costs more than the drone itself!)

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide (and apologies if questions like this should be in another forum!)

Your company needs to send others with you to take drone classes and training. This seems like a case of people who do not know drones or aviation regulations stating something that has good intent, but may not achieve what they want.

The fact that they want to put a parachute on a Mini 5 Pro sums up what I wrote above.
In the US, a Mini 5 Pro can obtain a waiver to operate over people without too much hassle and this would NOT have a parachute involved.

While I only know the most basic information on Canadian CAR's (regulations), they do have categories of operations and one of them is operating close to or over people. Your security staff again needs to send someone with you to earn your certifications, understand what you need regulatory to fly your proposed missions and then come up with a drone.

As stated by others, AVSS is right now in my opinion the leader in parachutes (PRS's Parachute Recovery Systems). They are located in Canada and make a product that meets US, EU and Canadian regulations for different operations over people. They do not make a PRS for a Mini 5 Pro.

Beware of parachute systems. They are not equal. A PRS that deploys unintentionally can cause problems.


For your last question, I cannot recommend a drone to you unless I know your intended use case.

Hopefully a fellow drone pilot from Canada can chime in.

 

[careless]

Welcome from Kentucky, USA

 

[Laborous]

Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine!

 

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[PakNheat380]

Welcome to the forum from NW Montana

 

[LoudThunder]

Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA. We have a Member's Map in the Upper Right of the Title Bar. Click on "Members" and then Click on "Member's Map…" Check it out and you might find some new flying friends.

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mavicpilots.com

You have received so much advice, and as I am no expert, I will not toss my two cents in… But I would question if a Mini 5 Pro is really the right drone to carry the additional weight of a parachute… You do know that DJI sell Prop guards for the Mini 5 Pro, but they only prevent injury from physical contact with a rotating propeller, If the drone drops from the sky, the drone will still impact someone on the noggin…

In my case, the Homeowners Association tried to enact rules that only allowed real estate agents to fly drones… My simple reply to the HOA was the agent's real estate license no more gives them the right to fly a drone than it gives them the right to drive a car… They then went back and actually did some research…

Fly Safe…

 

[Zbip57]

Hi - new member here, and totally new to drone piloting, but I have a very specific requirement to consider in buying a drone - it has to be able to equip a parachute.

Putting a parachute on a Mini 5 makes no sense.

A good place to start is the Drone Pilot Association of Canada. There are plenty of helpful people there to get you pointed in the right direction.

 

[wjkrysak]

Looks like you are getting plenty of solid feedback. Welcome to the forum. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world