The head of London's airport is applauding new rules that limit recreational drone use and levy hefty fines against those caught in violation.
Mike Seabrook, president of the London International Airport, believes the strict measures announced Thursday by federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau will force recreational drone operators to put safety first.
"This is going to be educational for those people who are selling drones and people who are buying drones for recreational purposes. They are going to have to get educated about where they can use it or suffer the consequences," said Seabrook.
Under the new restrictions, recreational drone operators are not allowed to fly within 9 km of any airport, higher than 90 m in the air, or within 75 m of any buildings, vehicles, animals, or people. Controlled or restricted airspace is also off limits, as is flying at night or during cloudy periods. Drones must remain in the operator's sight at all times and their name, address and phone number are now required to be clearly marked on the unmanned air vehicle.
Anyone caught in violation of the new rules could be fined up to $3,000.
"It really gives enforcement officers the teeth if someone is using a drone irresponsibly to level some degree of enforcement on them," said Seabrook. "It is fairly stringent when you think 9km from where aircrafts take off or land, or within 75 m of a building , vehicles, vessels, animals, or people. That limits a lot of London. It is a lot of protection and I think it is good news for airlines and passengers."
The regulations are in response to a near miss in Toronto that saw a Porter Airlines flight take evasive action after almost colliding with an object thought to be a drone in November. Weeks later, a drone was spotted operating in a reckless manner near Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport.
Seabrook said London's airport has had reports of drones flying nearby but at this point has not experienced any significant incidents as a result.
"Where it can get dangerous is when somebody who doesn't know the regulations or doesn't know why they are in place happens to take one of these drones up to a high altitude or close to an airport," said Seabrook. "If one went through an aircraft's windshield, if it went through the propeller, it could cause significant damage."
The new restrictions do not apply to commercial or research drones, which require a special Flight Operations Certificate from Transport Canada to fly.
