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Flying drones near YOW

The sky over and around an airport is controlled airspace.

Knowing and following the rules when piloting a drone is an important part of keeping the skies safe for all aircraft to navigate.

Drones are considered aircraft under the Aeronautics Act and Canadian Aviation Regulations and are therefore prohibited to enter certain zones without the proper authorizations.

Getting started

Transport Canada governs drone use in Canadian skies with the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Part IX — Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems).

Learn about drone safety

Flying safely and legally, drone registration, drone pilot certification, where and where not to fly, reporting a drone incident.

Learn more

Getting a drone Pilot Certificate

There are two types of pilot certificates, basic and advanced. Drone pilots must carry a valid drone pilot certificate at all times while operating their drone.

Learn more

Registering a drone

All drones between 250 g and 25 kg in weight must be registered. Conditions apply to drones under 250 g or over 25 kg.

Learn more

Before you fly your drone near YOW

In addition to having a pilot certificate, registering a drone (if applicable), and planning to respect the flying distances, altitude and visual line of sight to fly near YOW, you must also notify NAV CANADA and the Airport Authority. 

Register your flight with NAV CANADA

You must request authorization from NAV CANADA to fly your drone in controlled airspace.

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Notify the Airport Authority

Drone pilots must notify an airport operator of their intent to operate a drone near the airport. Drone operators should notify the Ottawa Airport Authority using the RPAS Wilco app.

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The National Research Council has created this interactive map to help drone operators understand airspace and find out where to – or not to – fly their drone.

NAV Drone

NAV CANADA is a private, not-for-profit entity that controls air traffic in Canadian airspace and guides millions of aircraft to safely navigate the skies each year.

NAV Drone is a free app that remotely-piloted aircraft system (RPAS) pilots must use to safely and legally request permission to fly a drone in airspace controlled by NAV CANADA.

From the web or a mobile device, professional and recreational drone pilots and operators can easily see where they can and cannot fly with interactive maps and, when needed, submit requests to fly in controlled airspace. 

RPAS Wilco

The Airport Authority uses the RPAS Wilco tool to view drone operations around YOW and the Ottawa-Gatineau area. 

This tool simplifies the requirement for drone pilots to notify the airport operator of their intent to operate a drone near the Ottawa Airport. 

When users submit their site survey through the free RPAS Wilco app, the Airport Authority is instantly notified, requiring no direct communication between the pilot and the Airport.

If you require advanced features for enterprise-level operations, please reach out to RPAS Wilco directly to unlock the necessary capabilities for your daily operations.