Transport Canada Fines Drone Pilot $2,750

Transport Canada has fined a drone pilot $2,750 for operating a drone over two downtown Toronto events earlier this year, the regulator announced last week. It alleges the violations occurred during celebrations following the NBA Championship on June 13 and four days later during a victory celebration for the Toronto Raptors basketball team.

In all, Transport Canada alleged the pilot committed 11 violations of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. They include operating a drone that’s unregistered; in controlled airspace; at a distance of less than 100 feet from another person; at an event without a special flight operations certificate; at a distance of less than 3 nm from the center of an airport; and 1 nm from the center of a heliport. The pilot also operated a drone without possessing a certificate for either basic or advanced operations of a small, remotely piloted aircraft.

“Transport Canada is committed to enhancing aviation and public safety while encouraging innovation and economic growth in the drone sector, but operating a drone in Canadian airspace is a regulated activity and the department will enforce the regulations to ensure compliance,” said Canadian Minister of Transport Marc Garneau.