Flying an unmanned aircraft?

You may need permission from Transport Canada

tc.gc.ca/safetyfirst

No Yes

It weighs more than 35 kg

No Yes

You don’t

need permission,

but you do have to

fly safely

Yes

No

You don’t need

permission, but 

you must meet the

exemption

requirements 

No

You must apply

for a Special Flight

Operations

Certificate

No Yes

You don’t need

permission, but you

must meet the exemption

requirements and give 

Transport Canada: 

I can meet the exemption 

requirements for 

UAVs 2 kg or less

Yes No

I can meet the exemption 

requirements for UAVs 

between 2.1 kg and 25 kg 

It weighs 2 kg or less

1. Contact information

2. UAV model

3. Description of operation

4. Geographical 

boundaries 

of operation

• Fly during daylight and in good weather

• Always keep your aircraft in sight 

• Respect the privacy of others

• Don’t fly close to airports, in populated areas,

 near moving vehicles, or higher than 90 metres 

Tips to fly safely

I use my aircraft

for work or research

Yes

It weighs more than 25 kg
Exemption requirements for operating UAVs

without permission

THIS INFOGRAPHIC IS FOR EASE OF REFERENCE ONLY. YOU MUST CONSULT THE OFFICIAL EXEMPTIONS.

tc.gc.ca/safetyfirst

UAVs 2 kg or less UAVs between 2.1 kg and 25 kg

• Be safe, well trained and know the rules of the sky

• Be 18 years old, or at least 16 years old to conduct 

research under academic supervision 

• Have at least $100,000 liability insurance

• Be alert—not tired or under the influence of alcohol 

or drugs

• Inspect your UAV and site before flight to ensure 

they are safe 

• Get permission before you go onto private property

• Inform Air Traffic Services if your UAV enters 

controlled airspace 

• Give right-of-way to manned aircraft 

• Fly during daylight and in good weather 

• Keep your aircraft in direct line of sight and always be able 

to see it with your own eyes

• Verify that radio frequencies/transmissions won’t affect 

control of your UAV

• Have an emergency plan ahead of time

• Carry a copy of your UAV exemption, proof of 

liability insurance, contact information, and aircraft 

system limitations

• Follow the manufacturer’s operating and emergency 

procedures, including those if the remote control loses 

contact with the aircraft

• Respect laws from all levels of government

• Operate only one UAV at a time, with a single 

remote control

• Immediately stop all operations if you can no longer meet 

the exemption requirements or if the safety of a person, 

property or other aircraft is at risk

• Stay at least 30 metres away from people, animals, 

buildings, structures, and vehicles not involved in 

the operation

• Be safe, well trained and know the rules of the sky

• Be 18 years old

• Have at least $100,000 liability insurance

• Be alert—not tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Inspect your UAV and site before flight to ensure 

they are safe 

• Get permission before you go onto private property

• Carry a copy of your UAV exemption, proof of liability 

insurance, contact information, and UAV system limitations

• Respect laws from all levels of government

• Keep your UAV in direct line of sight and always be able to 

see it with your own eyes 

• Operate only one UAV at a time, with a single 

remote control

• Give right-of-way to manned aircraft

• Fly during daylight and in good weather (no clouds, snow 

or icy conditions)

• Create and follow procedures for landing and recovering 

your UAV and for contacting emergency responders and air 

traffic control. 

• Have an emergency plan ahead of time

• Follow the manufacturer’s operating and emergency 

procedures, including those if the remote control loses 

contact with the aircraft

• Verify that radio frequencies/transmission and eletronic 

devices won’t affect control of your UAV

• Assess the risk of losing connection with the UAV and 

decide when to use the flight termination setting 

• Have a fire extinguisher on site

• Inform Air Traffic Services if your UAV enters 

controlled airspace 

• Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance/assembly instructions 

• Ensure the UAV does not have an emergency 

locator transmitter

• Report accidents to Transport Canada and stop operations 

until you have addressed the risks 

• Immediately stop all operations if you can no longer respect 

the exemption requirements or if the safety of a person, 

property or other aircraft is at risk

• Stay at least 150 metres away from people, animals, 

buildings, structures, and vehicles not involved in 

the operation

 

• Fly closer than 9 km from forest fires, airports, 

heliports, aerodromes, or built-up areas

• Fly over military bases, prisons or in controlled or 

restricted airspace

• Fly over crowds or higher than 90 metres 

• Participate in special aviation events, air shows or 

system demonstrations

• Carry dangerous goods or lasers

DO NOT:

Catalogue No. T86-5/2014E-PDF ISBN 978-1-100-25401-2
You’re responsible to use your 

unmanned aircraft safely and legally

tc.gc.ca/safetyfirst

Always:

• Fly during daylight and in good 

weather (not in clouds or fog).

• Keep your aircraft in sight where you 

can see it with your own eyes.

• Make sure your aircraft is safe for 

flight before take-off.

• Know if you need permission to 

fly and when to apply for a Special 

Flight Operations Certificate.

• Respect the privacy of others – avoid 

flying over private property or taking 

photos or videos without permission.

• Closer than 9 km from an airport, 

heliport, or aerodrome.

• Higher than 90 metres.

• Closer than 150 metres from people, 

animals, buildings, structures, or 

vehicles.

• In populated areas near large groups 

of people – such as beaches, sporting 

events, outdoor concerts, festivals, or 

firework shows.

• Near moving vehicles – avoid highways, bridges, busy streets or anywhere you could endanger or distract 

drivers.

• Within restricted airspace, including 

near or over military bases, prisons, 

and forest fires.

• Anywhere you may interfere with 

first responders.

Do not fly:

Catalogue No. T86-6/2014E-PDF ISBN 978-1-100-25402-9