Sheltered operations allow drone pilots to fly close to buildings or structures for low-risk commercial and recreational activities without the additional requirements of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. These operations are beneficial for tasks that require proximity to structures while maintaining compliance with safety regulations.
Common Use Cases for Sheltered Operations
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Building, bridge, or tower inspections
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Real estate photography (without requiring a visual observer)
What is Required to Fly a Sheltered Operation?
To legally conduct a sheltered operation, a pilot must meet certain requirements regarding certification, drone registration, and operational procedures.
1. Pilot Requirements
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Must hold an Advanced Pilot Certificate
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Be at least 16 years old
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Pass an online exam and flight review (same as current Advanced process)
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Existing Advanced Pilot Certificate holders can conduct sheltered operations as long as new Product and Procedures rules are followed
2. Product Requirements (Drone Regulations)
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Must use a Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) (250 g - 25 kg)
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The drone must be registered and marked with a registration number
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If flying in controlled airspace, a Standard 922 Declaration must be submitted (follows the current process)
3. Operational Procedures
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Controlled Airspace: Authorization from NAV Canada or DND is required
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Distance from People: Must remain more than 100 ft (30 m) away from individuals not involved in the operation
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Flying Close to Structures: The drone must:
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Stay within 200 ft (60 m) horizontally from the structure
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Fly at an altitude no greater than 100 ft (30 m) above the structure
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Extended VLOS and Sheltered Operations Regulations
According to CARs Section 901.74, pilots conducting Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS) or Sheltered Operations must adhere to the following:
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The pilot and control station must be at the take-off site
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The drone must stay within two nautical miles from the pilot and control station
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The operation must maintain at least 100 ft (30 m) distance from any uninvolved persons
For EVLOS operations, an additional visual observer is required to maintain awareness of surrounding air traffic and other hazards to ensure safe operations.
Why Sheltered Operations Matter
The proposed changes to Part IX of the CARs allow Advanced Pilot Certificate holders to conduct sheltered operations more efficiently, making it easier to perform building inspections, real estate photography, and infrastructure monitoring without unnecessary restrictions.
