Some Hobbyists Say They May Give Up Their Aircraft

When Transport Canada announced new strict regulations for non-commercial drone operators March 16, many hobbyists began to wonder if it was ever worth having the aircraft.

The Canadian regulations prohibit flight within about 250 feet of any building, above about 300 feet, or five miles of anywhere an airplane or helicopter might take off or land. In major cities, that puts most large parks, beaches and even open fields off limits for hobbyists to fly their drones.

Motherboard reports that Canada's draconian regulations are making U.S. hobby drone pilots nervous. An American advocacy group called the Network Of Drone Enthusiasts (NODE) ... backed by drone manufacturer DJI ... has launched a campaign to push for drone flight freedom in the U.S. They began organizing earlier this month in an effort to prevent similar regulations from being imposed in the United States.

Transport Canada says that hobby drone operators can apply for a special flight operations certificate, or join the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada. Flying fields sanctioned by MAAC are exempt from some of the regulations. Membership in most clubs is about $80 (Canadian) per year, which includes insurance.

According to Motherboard, MAAC is fine with the new rules. Association president Rodger Williams said that safety is the top priority. "If these guys' noses are out of joint because they don't feel that they come under the umbrella of safety, then I guess it's just too bad," he said.

The drone industry, not surprisingly, has a different view. NODE says that the Canadian regulations are based on an "unfounded" fear of UAVs, and that is not a great motivator. Adam Lisberg, the principal U.S. spokesman for DJI said on behalf of NODE that the "overwhelming evidence is that people are flying safely and responsibly."

The group is already expanding into Canada.

(Image from file)

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