New rules for Canadians flying ‘larger’ drones. When you fly a drone of a certain size (250 grams to 55 Lbs) you will have to pass an online exam and get a pilot’s certificate. These new drone rules were announced today by federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau. The new rules will come into effect on June 1 and will apply to all drone operators, regardless if they fly for fun or for work.

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Canadian authorities are looking into a suspected drone collision with a Cessna 172 that caused $4,000 USD in damage. The drone incident occurred near an airport in  British Columbia. During a training flight, the Cessna 172, owned by Abbotsford-based Chinook Helicopters, was making its final approach at Chilliwack Airport when its left wing collided with the suspected unmanned aerial vehicle. The collision “left blue bits on the wing” of the Cessna, according to the flight school owner Cathy Press.

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Transport Canada granted permission to the company Drone Delivery Canada to start testing drone deliveries in the Northern Canadian Communities of Moose Factory and Moosonee, Ontario. Toronto based Drone Delivery Canada made its first successful flights earlier this month in a partnership with Moose Cree First Nation. The partnership aims to establish a drone delivery service that would bring food, medical supplies and other necessities to the island of Moose Factory in the Moose River.

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DJI just released an official statement on the report of a plane striking a drone in Quebec that we wrote about earlier today. Currently, it is not known (or at least not officially) what kind of drone and what brand exactly has collided with the commercial airliner. However with DJI being the largest drone manufacturer, chances are, it may have been one of their products. DJI states that they are ready to assist the Canadian aviation authorities. The collision took place at about 1500 feet of elevation and DJI’s drones are programmed by default to not exceed 4oo feet. In their release, DJI stresses that many people are using drones safely and responsibly and that DJI is pioneering new technologies such as geo-fencing and AeroScope to allow for safer sharing of the airspace.

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On Sunday the Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau said that for the first time in Canada a drone had collided with a passenger airplane. The commercial Skyjet plane was struck as it was approaching Jean Lesage airport in Quebec City on Thursday. Garneau confirmed that the airplane only sustained minor damage and was able to land safely. He was extremely relieved that nobody got hurt. He continued to say:

“This should not have happened. That drone should not have been there. It could have been much more serious. If the drone had collided with the cockpit or the engine, the incident could have been catastrophic.”

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