Tag: <span>SFOC</span>

AIM News

Latest resource for Canadian RPAS pilots

The Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) has been around for a long time.  It has always been one of the first references for operating pilots in Canada, and as such, is on a continual update cycle.

The most recent revision includes a new section for RPAS pilots.  In addition to highlighting relevant sections of the Canadian Aviation Regulations Part IX, there is good technical information relevant to operating an RPA in Canadian Domestic Airspace. Definitely give it a read if you are about to write your advanced exam.

Regulations

Drones and NOTAMS

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) have been used in aviation since the days of the original teletype. Sending data across wireless was once upon a time a costly process, where only the alphanumeric characters critical to the message were transmitted. That’s how NOTAMs become messages full of abbreviations, half words, and words without vowels.

While NOTAMs serve a specific purpose to manned aviation, unmanned aviation is still trying to determine how to best use the tool. Around 2013, when cost and reliability of consumer grade drones allowed for their proliferation, regulators sought to notify manned aviation of potential aviation hazards. The quickest tool to use was the NOTAM. For example, airplanes and cranes do not generally mix well together, especially in low visibility weather. As a temporary crane will not be illustrated on aeronautical charts, pilots are officially notified of the hazard through the publication of a NOTAM.

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