Drone Sales Expected To Soar During Holiday Season; Users Reminded To Prioritize Safety

With retail drone sales expected to soar during the holiday season, Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) is teaming up with aviation partners to launch a drone safety campaign aimed at highlighting the risks associated with flying unmanned aircraft near airports.

“Innovation and safety are two of YVR’s core values,” said Steve Hankinson, Vice President, Operations, Vancouver Airport Authority. “We recognize the amazing potential for drones to improve a variety of processes, but we’re asking the public to prioritize safety and never fly one near an airport.”

Flying any unmanned aircraft within 9 km (approx. 5 nautical miles) of an airport is extremely dangerous and could pose a serious threat to other aircraft.

“YVR’s campaign is helping to create awareness about the very real dangers and consequences of flying a drone near an airport,” said the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport. “This holiday season, I encourage all new drone users to learn the rules of the sky on our website.”

Investigations of incidents involving improper drone use are on the rise in B.C. Since the beginning of 2015, nearly half of all incidents investigated by Transport Canada have been in British Columbia.

YVR’s public-education campaign is designed to remind the community of the potential catastrophic consequences of flying drones in a restricted airspace. Components of the campaign include “No Drone Zone” signage at key locations across YVR’s Sea Island home, advertising and community outreach at public events.

“The safe operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), more commonly known as drones, is a community responsibility,” said Cpl. Dennis Hwang, Richmond RCMP. “We have the luxury of having a world-class international airport in our community. Let’s keep our community safe.”

(Source: VYR news release. Images from file)

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca/SafetyFirst