Just checked out the regulations for recreational UAV use in Canada. For most purposes they seem to be more permissive than in the U.S. so be careful what you gripe about.
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DJI Reveals $500 Miniature-Sized Personal Drone 'DJI Spark' With Gesture Controls
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Just checked out the regulations for recreational UAV use in Canada. For most purposes they seem to be more permissive than in the U.S. so be careful what you gripe about.
I'm not sure what the US rules are, but the killer here is you can't fly within 75m (250 feet) of buildings, vehicles, or people. I suppose out in the country it's possible to comply with that with a little effort, but I'm not sure i've ever been in a spot I could legally fly a drone before. Plus if i comply with that, I have to ask what is even the point. What am I taking pictures of?
Also, not within 9km of an airport is stupid. That's 64 square kilometers (25 square miles). There's a small airport on a small island in downtown Toronto. 9km would rule out the entire city core even if not for the building and people rule already eliminating it. I live in suburban Toronto well within 9km of another tiny private airport and not much over 9km from the major international airport.
Also, there's a 300 foot flight ceiling and no flying at night.
And these rules are for all hobby aircraft. So the model airplane market which has thrived around here for decades is now dead in Canada as well.
In the U.S. you can't pilot a UAV without a license anywhere and without first passing a knowledge test. No exceptions for where you are flying it, as in Canada. The Canadian rules I see also allow filing a request for an exemption from the limitations, which gets you into similar knowledge requirements placed on all use in the U.S. The altitude restrictions are similar.
The proximity to airports restrictions are not stupid. UAVs are flying in the airspace with airplanes. Near misses are becoming commonplace. They are the main reason behind these rules.
Asking 519 GBP, which is US$673
In Aus, it is A$879, or US$644
The point is it is far more expensive to buy outside the US.
"The company designed the drone to be light, weighing about 10.6 ounces, so it can be carried around easily on a daily basis, with a total flight time of 16 minutes."
The states price they don't include tax (because i think it varys state to state?) whereas everywhere else in the world the price is tax inclusive
[doublepost=1495687198][/doublepost]Just ordered a blue one. Looks fun. First drone buy ever.
You're right. I did the arithmetic too quickly in my head and quartered the number as I took a rough approximation.
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Yes, the cutoff is 250g. More carefully with a calculator this time, that's 0.55 pounds or 8.8 ounces. The DJI drone is 10.6 ounces. Too heavy by 1.8.
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My very limited understanding from reading a few news summaries is that that US license is a formality and cash grab, much like what the FCC does with GMRS radio.
In Canada, I really have no idea what the process is and I've tried to find out. Here's the page from the transport canada website if you care, and I can't even tell if you can get the license, and I can't tell how you qualify for the exemptions you're talking about. https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/getting-permission-fly-drone.html
Without getting too specific, I can tell you certain law Enforcement agencies has exemptions to this and those requirements are not applicable in all cases. Several agencies in my area have purchased drones (Via Federal Grants) within this last year for Re-Con surveillance, re-creating crash scenes, criminal and investigative purposes, Thermal mapping, 3D Mapping integration kits, etc.
I can tell you firsthand, the agency I work for, purchased a $3000 drone and all that was required was the instructor to demonstrate a six hour course without any certifications provided and no test was needed. Even fire departments were exempt from any Knowledge tests or certifications. Civilians DO have to compete the necessary guidelines or at least they are instructed too.
Also, law enforcement agency's that incorporate the use of a drone within their department, MUST have a written department policy and procedure on this, which covers privacy extents. Which, must be followed and adhered to under practices, which overrides civilian requirements. Agency should NOT be using any drones until they have a policy/procedure in place. At least according to the training that I attended.
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That 254 square kilometre area around Billy Bishop airport is 50% over water (Lake Ontario). the other 50% covers the entire downtown core of Toronto plus a lot more, and well over 1 million people live in that radius with scores of skyscrapers. You don't think that's an absurd exclusion area for fairly small airport? The other airports within 15km of me are also in very dense areas.
Most small low cost drones dont have GPS, and thus have no ability to detect location. This one does have GPS and the features/requirements that go with it.
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In the US drones larger than a certain weight have to be registered with the FAA. Its a 5 minute process with no test for hobby personal use. Those that want to fly commercial do need a different license and part 107 testing is involved.
See here for details: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/
Good, that sounds like there are no serious restrictions in the US in general. The local limitations may be a pain (e.g. no flying in national parks. generally a good idea in the areas with many tourists).
Law enforcement agencies are eligible for waivers.
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Airplanes fly over water. They also fly over cities. They fly in and out of airports, both large and small.
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Right, thanks for the clarification. The details say over 0.55 pounds requires registration, though you can fly the UAV for "fun" without an Airman's Certificate or passing the knowledge test, but you are still responsible for abiding by the airspace regulations.
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Clever.
It's £519 in the UK. Last I checked, that turns out to be around 680 dollars.
The point is, give or take an exchange rate, would you say that $680 was a good price for this little drone?
Not so clever, just obvious. The GBP is very weak at the moment and the dollar is strong. Prices in the UK also include VAT (how much is that now?), but in the U.S., sales taxes are added at point of sale. Whether this is a good price for this little drone only you can decide but you should decide based on what other products cost in your country in your currency rather than comparing it to another.
I might make sense to wait a few month. For one the prices will come down. More importantly they will iron out all the problems of newly designed mechanics, electronics and firmware. You likely get a more reliable toy that's less likely to crash on a tree or rooftop.
They don't fly over cities at below 300 feet around 50+ storey skyscrapers. The airport is 1km from the tallest building in the western hemisphere. There are no flight plans over land from that airport.
I don't think you're quite grasping how big an exclusion zone we're talking about.
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And the airspace regulations or so asinine, you basically can't fly it.
Uh-huh. You think you are an instant expert in aviation and airspace when in reality you are a walking talking advertisement for the need for regulating UAVs.
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Subtract the UK VAT of 20% makes the net price around 420 GBP. Nothing to complain about, in actuality.
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I think the point was that we can't fly this in Canada the way it is portrayed. Not within 75' of people - that's a long way for a selfie
Yes, you can. Apply for an exemption. You will be required to learn about and observe airspace regulations. Not at all an inappropriate requirement, and not so difficult to accomplish.
As far as what these regulations require, in both the U.S. and Canada, the goal is similar: You are going to be piloting an aircraft in the national airspace, so you need to understand how airspace is used and managed at some minimal level. I suspect these regulations will change over time as the UAV technology changes (and the numbers flown increase), but I would not count on them become more lax.
A couple of things about your response
1) you must apply in advance at least 90 days before you intend to fly with a fight plan
2) you cannot fly within 75' of any group of people
Both of these requirements make flying to capture family moments pretty much impossible wouldn't you say?
Not many of us plan family outings 90 days in advance let alone within the precise geographical area required by Transport Canada
And if we are required to ask everyone around us to stay 75' back including our own family members it won't really be much of an interactive experience
You need to read this:
https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/getting-permission-fly-drone.html#qualifying
It looks like qualifying for an exemption is almost trivially easy, and once you have done so, the rules are substantially less restrictive than in the U.S. where commercial UAV operations at least requires being licensed by the FAA taking and passing a knowledge test.