Canadian Aviation Regulations

903.02 (1) For the purpose of an application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS, the operation, other than for the purpose of providing a commercial air service, of a remotely piloted aircraft system that includes a remotely piloted aircraft that is not registered in accordance with Division III is a very low-complexity operation.

(2) For the purposes of an application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS, the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system at an advertised event is a low-complexity operation.

(3) For the purpose of an application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS, the following operations are medium-complexity operations:

• (a) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft having an operating weight of more than 150 kg (331 pounds);

• (b) the operation by a person described in subsection 900.09(2) of a remotely piloted aircraft system for the purpose of providing a commercial air service;

• (c) the operation, for the purpose of providing a commercial air service, of a remotely piloted aircraft system that includes a remotely piloted aircraft that is not registered in accordance with Division III;

• (d) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft at an altitude greater than one of the altitudes referred to in subsection 901.25(1), unless the operation at a greater altitude is authorized under subsection 901.71(2);

• (e) the operation of more than five remotely piloted aircraft at a time to conduct a VLOS operation, or the operation of more than one remotely piloted aircraft at a time to conduct an operation that is not a VLOS operation, from a single control station; and

• (f) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft outside of Canadian Domestic Airspace.

(4) For the purpose of an application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS, the following operations are high-complexity operations:

• (a) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system without the pilot or a visual observer having the aircraft in visual line-of-sight if the operation is not a sheltered operation or an extended VLOS operation conducted under Division V or a BVLOS operation conducted under Division VI;

• (b) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft to transport any of the payloads referred to in subsection 901.43(1);

• (c) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a BVLOS operation within five nautical miles of an aerodrome that is listed in the Canada Flight Supplement or the Water Aerodrome Supplement;

• (d) the operation, in weather conditions that do not meet the conditions set out in section 901.34, of a remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a BVLOS operation or of a medium remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a VLOS operation;

• (e) the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft that carries persons on board; and

• (f) any other operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system for which the Minister determines that a special flight operations certificate — RPAS is necessary to ensure aviation safety or the safety of any person.

(5) If the application for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS is in respect of several operations, the highest complexity level applies except in the case of an application in respect of two or more medium-complexity operations, in which case the application is deemed to be in respect of a high-complexity operation.

(6) A person who proposes to operate a remotely piloted aircraft system to conduct very low-complexity or low-complexity operations shall apply to the Minister for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS by submitting the following information:

• (a) the legal name, trade name, if any, address and contact information of the applicant;

• (b) the means by which the person responsible for the operation can be contacted;

• (c) the operations for which the application is made;

• (d) the manufacturer and model of the system and the registration number, if any, referred to in paragraph 900.16(3)(a);

• (e) the pilot certificate number issued to any crew member; and

• (f) any other information requested by the Minister pertinent to the safe conduct of the operations.

(7) A person who proposes to operate a remotely piloted aircraft system to conduct medium-complexity or high-complexity operations shall apply to the Minister for a special flight operations certificate — RPAS by submitting the following information:

• (a) the legal name, trade name, if any, address and contact information of the applicant;

• (b) the means by which the person responsible for the operation can be contacted;

• (c) the operations for which the application is made;

• (d) the manufacturer and model of the system and the registration number, if any, referred to in paragraph 900.16(3)(a), as well as a complete description of the remotely piloted aircraft that is an element of the system, including its performance, operating limitations and equipment;

• (e) a detailed plan describing how the operations are to be carried out;

• (f) a risk assessment for the operation that accounts for both ground and air risks;

• (g) the pilot certificate number issued to any crew member or a description of the means by which the applicant will ensure that all crew members hold the necessary certificates and qualifications;

• (h) the standard procedures for crew members in the case of operations requiring more than one crew member;

• (i) the instructions for maintaining the system in a state that is fit and safe for flight;

• (j) the type, manufacturer, model and operating limitations of the detect and avoid system to be used, if any, and the procedures respecting the detection and avoidance of conflicting air traffic and other hazards; and

• (k) any other information requested by the Minister pertinent to the safe conduct of the operations.