I recently bought my first drone ever. I’m new to drone flying in all aspect. Was wondering does anybody knows where I can fly my drone. Any cool locations?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hello good people in BC (DJI Mini 3 Pro)
- Thread starter vishminna
- Start date
EyesWideShut
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum. I'm in the Interior of BC and not familiar with your area. Hopefully others will chime in here with some suggestions.
If you have a sub 250g drone, the areas you can fly in Canada are almost unlimited. Fly safe and enjoy!
If you have a sub 250g drone, the areas you can fly in Canada are almost unlimited. Fly safe and enjoy!
The Okanagan covers a large area, what city do you live in or near?
I live in Vancouver area. I’ve downloaded NAV Canada app to see where the restrictions put in place. I know I can’t fly in, in provincial parks in BC as well as national parks. Most regional parks I’ve tried also restricted by each of municipalities, even though app doesn’t show anything on those places. I suspect, something has to do with privacy reasons. I flew in Squamish area couple of weeks ago. It was so much fun. Wondering if anyone knows where I can fly without getting myself into trouble
And thanks for responding to my post guys.
And thanks for responding to my post guys.
I used to live in the lower mainland but moved to Nanaimo six years ago. There are several lookout pullouts along the ski to sky highway where you can get some awesome footage. If you take the highway from Squamish to Pemberton, there are several places for a shoot. I ignore a lot of municipal signs telling you can’t fly in a certain area because the municipalities do not have any jurisdiction to place restrictions as once your drone is off the ground only the DOT has jurisdiction. At best municipal governments may say that you cannot takeoff or land from the park area or whatever. Once the Mini 3 Pro is a hundred feet in the air you can’t hear it and it’s difficult to see it so be discreet and everything will be fine. Remember with the Mini series there are very few legal restrictions to flying them and that is why pilots are buying them. I’ve been flying for four years now and never as anyone ask me to provide information other than about my drone, how far can it fly, does it take pictures, can I look at the screen etc.
Welcome to the forum from the outback of Australia. Enjoy your drone and look forward to your input on the forum.
Regards
Regards
You can fly a sub-250g drone in many places in Canada, but yes, launching from city parks that ban drone flying will he a problem. The solution? Launch from the sidewalk, or your car. You can fly over parks without breaking any rules, since NAV Canada regulates airspace, not the municipality.I live in Vancouver area. I’ve downloaded NAV Canada app to see where the restrictions put in place. I know I can’t fly in, in provincial parks in BC as well as national parks. Most regional parks I’ve tried also restricted by each of municipalities, even though app doesn’t show anything on those places. I suspect, something has to do with privacy reasons. I flew in Squamish area couple of weeks ago. It was so much fun. Wondering if anyone knows where I can fly without getting myself into trouble
And thanks for responding to my post guys.
View attachment 153011
You must keep in mind the drone still cannot be flown in a manner that would create a hazard to people or aircraft, so flying through a park at 5 feet AGL and zipping around between people would be an obvious no-no, but at 75 feet getting some cool cinematic footage of a park, even with people in it, should not be a concern.
Same with provincial parks, you may not be able to launch from park property, you can certain fly over it.
The DJI app is not the best source of geo restrictions, because it will not permit, for example, flying near provincial jails. There is actually no federal rule for provincial jails ... still not a great idea to fly over them, but it is not restricted airspace (as you can see on the NAV Canada drone map... just search for any provincial jail and you'll notice no airspace restrictions).
Vancouver is a pretty crowded area, and some of the best features are its beaches and parks. You could easily find public side streets or even parking lots to fly from, and get great scenes of Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, my cousin's restaurant Lift Bar (shameless plug on purpose), English Bay Beach, Kits Beach, Granville Island, Science World, BC Place, etc. Lots of water and that always makes for great shots.
Plus, with water, you aren't flying over people, and at beaches people are usually too busy to notice a drone, they won't care anyway.
Good luck and happy flying.
Go get your Basic RPAS licence anyway, it will help you understand the rules thoroughly, and if you upgrade to a larger drone you'll require one.
Sounds like a case of "putting the cart before the horse." Before purchasing a drone a bit of research on the local drone laws would be in order. I'd suggest that you install several apps such as Aloft,B4UFLY,UAV Forecast, Airmap, Windy. See my screen grabs.
Thank you. found this site randomly. But getting these information the best thing that happened. I’ve been scratching my head trying to find out who can I reach out to get these valuable information. Thank you again
Hi RJW Morell:
-I am following your conversation re: Drones in Canada and decided to write . I am planning a driving, photography tour next August, a year from now. I already have a basic Canada pilot certificate. I own a Mavic 3 (the big guy-not the mini). I would hate to have to buy a 250gm drone just for this trip. Our trip takes us firstly to Jasper, then to Canmore (as a base for a week for Lake Louise, Banff, and Yoho).Finally, we stay 3 days at Emerald Lake. I totally understand I cannot fly in National Parks. Is it even worth me taking the drone? Can I fly from the turn outs on the roads between the parks? What about the long Icefields Parkway?
Dale
Miami
If you are a foreign resident you still need the Special Flight Operations Certificate, I believe, for a small RPAS (250g to 25 kg). If you invest in a Mini 3, you do not require it (99% sure, double check the Transport Canada website. I don't think it matters that you have the Basic RPAS certificate, though I read that you need that as well.
I'm not familiar with the geography out there but do your research, as you seem to have done already, and you should be ok.
I'm not familiar with the geography out there but do your research, as you seem to have done already, and you should be ok.
The Icefield Parkway is entirely within Banff and Jasper National Parks, so no flying there. A lot of the land that borders the national parks is part of a provincial park, which has the same restriction.
Your best bets are along the Yellowhead before you get to Jasper National Park (assuming you are flying in to Edmonton) and in the Bow River valley to the east of Canmore. Take the 1A towards Exshaw not the Trans-Canada (less traffic and people). The Kananaskis Trail (highway 40) south past Barrier Lake to Kananaskis Village leads to a 'hole' in the provincial parks around the village — an easy day trip from Canmore.
Range Road 62A (highway 40) is mostly within provincial parks but south of Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park it is in crown land but not a park. Lots of spectacular scenery and totally legal to fly there (assuming no fire-fighting operations going on).
Highway 532 west from 22 is a spectacular drive, with lots of places worth stopping at and flying at. I unfortunately don't have shots there because after fishing we were running late and couldn't spend the time for me to stop and fly. (Well, my brother-in-law fished while I looked after the energetic puppy. I got the better of that deal!)
Here are some (rather crappy) shots taken before we got to the really spectacular bits. (We were driving north then east, heading from Coleman to Calgary by the scenic route.)
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If you had more time, I'd suggest taking the Crowsnest Pass. Big mountains and few flight restrictions. Gotta watch out for the wind though — in the weekend I was in Coleman there wasn't a single day I felt comfortable flying. (Should have taken a kite!)
As rjwmorrell wrote, you will need a SFOC to fly your Mavic 3 in Canada.
Get permission for special drone operations
Getting permission to fly your drone. When to apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate or exemption.
Chrislaf
Well-Known Member
@Dale D, as Roger has mentioned the Ice Field Parkway is completely within Banff and Jasper NPs and you cannot fly any drone anywhere there. There are signs at all the major tourist locations in the parks that indicate that no drones are allowed and that stiff fines will be handed down to violators. With regard to your Mavic 3, I would suggest you leave it at home and purchase a Mini 3 Pro or other mini drone as you will likely not be able to get the SFOC that is needed for a foreign operator to fly your Mavic 3 in Canada even a year in advance of your trip. Why not save the headache and just get the Mini drone.
Also, there are many beautiful shots to be had just using your DSLRs from the many lookouts along the Ice Field Parkway route that you can get without the use of a drone - emerald blue/green water with striking mountains in the background, spectacular falls along the parkway hwy, and then you arrive at the Athabasca glacier that you can walk up to or take one of the buggies that go on it.
Chris
Also, there are many beautiful shots to be had just using your DSLRs from the many lookouts along the Ice Field Parkway route that you can get without the use of a drone - emerald blue/green water with striking mountains in the background, spectacular falls along the parkway hwy, and then you arrive at the Athabasca glacier that you can walk up to or take one of the buggies that go on it.
Chris
Herbert Lake is an often-overlooked spot. Literally on the Parkway with a little picnic ground.
Peyto Lake is worth the stop, but often very crowded. While in Jasper, head up to Angel Glacier. The tarn may not be there anymore, but it's a beautiful spot and not as crowded as many.
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Maligne Lake in Jasper has boat tours. Something to consider.
Miette Hotsprings (also in Jasper) are very nice. Soaking on the hotsprings makes a perfect end to a hike up the Sulphur Summit Trail, which has amazing views you don't need a drone for.
A Guide to Sulphur Skyline Trail: Jasper's Signature Hike — LAIDBACK TRIP
Athabasca glacier is worth the stop. When I was young you parked pretty much at the roadside, now you have to drive for a while to even get to the parking lot. They have recession markers showing where the toe of the glacier was each decade, which are kinda depressing. The toe itself is roped off because ice is dangerous, which doesn't stop people walking past the sign showing where a young boy fell into a crevasse and died to get a picture of their kids on the ice.
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Parker Ridge is also worth the hike, if your knees are in good shape.
Generally, Jasper is more open and less spectacular than Banff, but also much less crowded. Many trails in Banff are paved because tourists were eroding the dirt trails so much.
This take a good look at Canadian regulations for drones. You live in a very restrictive country which may work out OK if you have a sub 250 g Drone but I do know that in general Canadian flight rules are very strict. They require you to do something equivalent to the American part 107 or more. Hopefully somebody from Canada will confirm or explain where I am off.
Chrislaf
Well-Known Member
@Robert Prior great shots.
@akdrone, our drone laws here in Canada may be more restrictive than in the US, but I think it is an over generalization to say we live in a ‘very restrictive country’.
Chris
@akdrone, our drone laws here in Canada may be more restrictive than in the US, but I think it is an over generalization to say we live in a ‘very restrictive country’.
Chris
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