MAAC RPAS Exemption Issues

 Due to recent events pertaining to the loss of MAAC’s exemption governing RPAS, the team has taken the proverbial half full view of the glass and continues to plan and prepare for the World Championships.

For those unfamiliar, RPAS stands for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System and incorporates any unmanned aircraft operating within Canadian Domestic airspace. It provides guidance on certification, registration and rules governing the operation of RPAS.  Where you are located and what type of flying you are doing will determine the level of compliance required. 

Since 2019, MAAC had an exemption from these limitations, based on the longstanding safety record and governance in the modelling community.  That exemption was removed by Transport Canada.

For most flyers in Canada you will now need 1) a Basic RPAS Pilot Certificate 2) registration of your aircraft 3) permission from the land owner and 4) a record log for both the pilot & aircraft.  You can now fly up to 400' AGL. 

If your flying site is located within 3nm of an airport, 1.5nm within a heliport or in Controlled Airspace, you are even more restricted with higher qualifying criteria to operate your aircraft.

Both Chad and Henry are flying/practicing in this Basic category but unfortunately our local club, the VRCMS, is located within controlled airspace. Michi's only work around is to travel to another field (a two hour drive each way!)  The biggest restriction at this point is with the altitude limit of 400' but, in consultation amongst the team members, we feel it is well worth continuing to practice and prepare. Is it ideal? Far from it but we will do our best.

We are hopeful that negotiations between Transport Canada and MAAC will soon have us back under the exemption and we can return to more normal, less restrictive operations.  

 On to other news... the team has submitted the preliminary entry form to the organizing folks and is now awaiting Bulletin #2. 

We also ran another auction for a couple planes last night and would like to congratulate Mitchell St George as the winning bidder on the Big Stick ARF. Unfortunately the Sukhoi kit did not meet the reserve so it will be auctioned off next month.  There were also several other donated items (engines etc) that garnered funds towards the trip.