I was reading an article about a Canadian company that sells a flight control module for Radio Controlled aircraft that makes it essentially a UAV. With the associated software you program a flight path using GPS coordinates and set the altitude for each waypoint. When ready, you upload the route to the module, launch the plane and the module does the rest....
Does anyone know if these are regulated in Canada? With the potential risk this could pose in the wrong hands, surely Transport has some sort of control over who can buy and operate this type of thing...
Tried to search TC site, but get only network errors since Sat PM - nothing on UAV in the alphabetic site index though...
UAVs
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog
Don't quote me on this but i believe r/c airplanes are limited to 400 AGL. Those who attempt altitude records usually seek approval from whatever agencies first.
"602.45 No person shall fly a model aircraft or a kite or launch a model rocket or a rocket of a type used in a fireworks display into cloud or in a manner that is or is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety."
"602.45 No person shall fly a model aircraft or a kite or launch a model rocket or a rocket of a type used in a fireworks display into cloud or in a manner that is or is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety."
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The Old Fogducker
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Just a point of clarification, there is no height restriction on model airplanes. The 400 foot mention is an FAA advisory meant to limit potential conflicts with "full-sized airplanes" and is not a regulation.
The CAR has it well described .... don't create a hazard and use common sense.
I've been a model airplane guy since I was about 4 or 5 years old and its been a great hobby for over 50 years.
At one time I was heavily into competition flying of high performance RC sailplanes and it was not uncommon to hit 3,000 AGL on the right day with a model large enough to see and a bright paint scheme ... something around 12 to 14 feet span is still easily visible at that range ... at least it was when my eyes were 30 years younger.
My days of long range, high altitude, and cross-country flying are behind me now and I rarely get above 1,500 feet on a good day and most of the time is below about 800 ft.
A modern high performance sailplane can come off the winch line at around the 600 ft level before it even begins to hunt for thermals and gain altitude.
Obviously this doesn't take place off the end of the runway at YYZ at 4 in the afternoon.
Now I'm into electric powered models and slope soaring where the excitment is in flying fast and close as opposed to being far away.
Fog
The CAR has it well described .... don't create a hazard and use common sense.
I've been a model airplane guy since I was about 4 or 5 years old and its been a great hobby for over 50 years.
At one time I was heavily into competition flying of high performance RC sailplanes and it was not uncommon to hit 3,000 AGL on the right day with a model large enough to see and a bright paint scheme ... something around 12 to 14 feet span is still easily visible at that range ... at least it was when my eyes were 30 years younger.
My days of long range, high altitude, and cross-country flying are behind me now and I rarely get above 1,500 feet on a good day and most of the time is below about 800 ft.
A modern high performance sailplane can come off the winch line at around the 600 ft level before it even begins to hunt for thermals and gain altitude.
Obviously this doesn't take place off the end of the runway at YYZ at 4 in the afternoon.
Now I'm into electric powered models and slope soaring where the excitment is in flying fast and close as opposed to being far away.
Fog
Fog, I also used to fly sailplanes, but now fly just electrics - found this thing interesting as I have been also thinking of trying aerial photography from RC.
The only rule I know of (and I think it may be a MAAC rule) is no flying within 5nm of an airport.
I find it hard to believe that TC hasnt stomped a big dirty boot down on these modules... or maybe they just havent caught up with the technology yet.
The only rule I know of (and I think it may be a MAAC rule) is no flying within 5nm of an airport.
I find it hard to believe that TC hasnt stomped a big dirty boot down on these modules... or maybe they just havent caught up with the technology yet.
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The Old Fogducker
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Carb:
TC does regulate UAVs but planes used for recration are outside of their sphere of influence at this time.
One of my flying buddies is heavily into the developing world of inexpensive UAVs and it is a real going concern.
I've taken digital pix from my electric converted Goldberg Gentle Lady and its a real hoot.
There's lots of aerial photo info available at:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=128
The el-cheapo camera I use is:
http://www.2fidelity.com/
Great fun.
Fog
TC does regulate UAVs but planes used for recration are outside of their sphere of influence at this time.
One of my flying buddies is heavily into the developing world of inexpensive UAVs and it is a real going concern.
I've taken digital pix from my electric converted Goldberg Gentle Lady and its a real hoot.
There's lots of aerial photo info available at:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=128
The el-cheapo camera I use is:
http://www.2fidelity.com/
Great fun.
Fog
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Clothesliner
- Rank 1
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- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:05 pm
The company I used to work for is using UAVs. I'm not sure where the regs appear, but to fly a UAV you need an SFOC (special flight operations certificate). The airspace used for the flight becomes restricted, and a notam with the details of the restricted airspace to be used is put out.
