In Canada, flying drones – known legally as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) – have evolved from hobbyist toys into tools of industry over the last decade. Today they are common tools of researchers, construction companies, government officials and public safety teams (just to name a few). Whether you’re flying a small quadcopter for fun or using a heavier lift RPAS for commercial work, Canada’s regulatory regime has a few lines of text that will likely cover your flight in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs). Here’s what you should know before flying a RPAS in Canada in 2026.
How RPASs Are Regulated in Canada
The major factors that determine the legality of a specific flight are:
- RPAS Sizes: RPAS over 250g must be registered with Transport Canada. RPAS above 25kg will require obtaining additional permission by having a Special Operations Flight Certificate (SFOC). Microdrones (249g and below) are handled differently so they have their own point at the bottom of the list.
- Location: Usually anything is possible with RPAS if you obtain the correct permission from the authorizing body; however, the more complicated the location, the more requirements you will have to meet. These additional requirements could be things like additional safety equipment, permission from regional aircraft control towers for a certain window of time, or additional restrictions to altitude. What is needed will be specific to the mission you want to fly, but experienced Advanced Certified Operators should understand how to navigate these requirements from the training they receive to become certified.
- Operators Certificates: An RPAS Advanced Operators Certificate might be required regardless of the equipment or location. Most airspace in Canada's urban areas is legally locked to RPAS operators without a certificate. Having a certificate alone will not guarantee you can fly in a specific location; however, it greatly improves the possibility that you will get legal authority to fly your RPAS in a specific location.
- Microdrones (<250g): Generally, Canadians do not need to register or be certified to fly microdrones within Canadian airspace. This is unless the microdrone is used at public events (concerts, parades, etc.) or while doing work(Like capturing images to put on a website for a relator). In these cases, specific permits like a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFCO) may be required, or the RPAS would need to be treated as one in a higher weight bracket. It is also important to make sure you are using a legally recognized microdrone though, as some RPAS (like DJI's Mini 5) are marketed in the same way as the previous RPAS in the mini-series, but is above the 250g weight limit for a microdrone in Canada.
If you're a foreign pilot looking to operate while in Canada, different requirements may apply — and a Special Flight Operation Certificate might be necessary even for recreational flights.
Key 2025 Regulation Changes
On November 4, 2025, Transport Canada fully rolled out updated RPAS rules that make Canada one of the more flexible places to innovate with unmanned aircraft.
What’s New for Canadian RPAS operators? Well now it is possible for:
- EVLOS (Extended Visual Line-of-Sight): Under specific conditions, qualified pilots using spotters can fly RPAS beyond their visual range — opening doors for agriculture mapping, long-range inspections, and surveys.
- Medium-RPAS Operations: RPAS weighing up to 150 kg can fly under visual line-of-sight without an SFOC in some scenarios, provided the RPAS is added to Transport Canada's Safety Assurance Declaration list.
- New Pilot Levels & Standards: The new "Level 1 Complex Operations" certification giving access to fly BVLOS flights in low risk environments without having to submit paperwork for an SFOC.
- Microdrone Event Rules: Operating sub-250g RPAS at advertised events now have stricter requirements and will likely require an SFOC issued by Transport Canada.
Where You Can and Can’t Operate
Even with evolving regulation, there are clear limits where RPAS simply are not allowed without special permission:
No-Fly Zones will be off limits unless you can prove to Transport Canada that you have a relevant reason to fly there, and that you can complete the work safely. These spots are not limited to, but always include:
- National Parks and Historic Sites: Recreational RPAS are prohibited across all Canadian park locations and Historic sites unless special permits are issued for approved work (e.g., research, filming).
- Government Offices: No matter the government (federal, provincial, municipal), most of the government office across the county will be off-limits to RPAS operators until that governing body provides approval.
- Airports and Aerodromes: Transport Canada rules require you to stay well clear of manned aviation unless you have special authorization. This obviously includes all classifications of airports; however, it would also include less obvious locations like the helicopter landing pads for hospitals, or aerodromes for sea-planes.
Where you can fly with almost no permission:
- Uncontrolled rural airspace and open fields far away from people
- Outside restricted proximity to airports in uncontrolled airspace
- Areas outside federal or provincial parks in uncontrolled airspace
Unless you fly with an Advanced Certification, you will likely only have the legal authority to fly in extremely rural and remote locations that are rarely traversed by man. Even operators with the Advanced Certification will have limitations, but those limitations are drastically reduced compared to those experienced by operators who stopped at the Basic Certification, or those who have no certification at all.
Tips for New Canadian RPAS Pilots
Whether you’re just starting or are already flying regularly, it is always best to ensure you have:
- Register your RPAS and mark it clearly using the Transport Canada guide for marking your RPAS as a reference.
- Completed all required Advance Operator training and keep your certificate up to date every 2 years under the recency requirements documented in CARs section 9
- Check the restrictions of the airspace or equipment you are using before every flight.
- Respect the privacy of citizens and local laws even outside Transport Canada restrictions. Municipal bylaws may apply, so check with the local governing body before flying.
- A complete understanding of potential penalties for flying where you should not. These penalties can range from significant fines to jail time in some cases.
Training & Next Steps for Advanced Operations
Looking to operate drones commercially or expand into advanced operations? Connect with our team to explore certified training, regulatory guidance, and enterprise drone solutions.
For pilots ready to move beyond basic operations, professional training is essential. Our advanced programs help you meet Transport Canada requirements while building the real-world knowledge needed for complex missions.
Advanced RPAS Ground School Bundle (Online Course + Flight Training + Flight Review) Sign up here
A comprehensive training program designed to help pilots achieve their Advanced RPAS certification in Canada. It combines in-depth online ground school training with hands-on flight instruction and culminates in the required Transport Canada Advanced Flight Review.
TP 15530 Level 1 Complex Ground School (Online) Sign up here
Is an online training course focused on the fundamentals of advanced drone operations in Canada. It covers key topics like airspace, regulations, risk management, and operational procedures to prepare pilots for the Transport Canada Advanced RPAS exam. Designed for self-paced learning, this course gives aspiring advanced pilots the core knowledge they need to fly confidently and safely in complex environments.
Whether your goal is urban operations, controlled airspace access, or preparing for emerging BVLOS opportunities, structured training ensures you can operate safely, legally, and with confidence.
Conclusion
Canada’s RPAS landscape is maturing fast: the regulatory environment is becoming more enabling and complex, especially with new rules supporting complex and BVLOS operations, while still guarding safety and public interest. Whether you’re a hobbyist capturing stunning landscapes or a professional providing commercial services, understanding where you fit into Canada’s RPAS ecosystem is key to flying both safely and legally.