< Previous10 | www.aerialevolution.ca body capable of certifying compliance with ISO 21384-3. ISO 21384-3 represents a ground- breaking standard designed to address these challenges by establishing a framework for safe and reliable drone operations. An ISO standard focused on remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) operations for the first time this standard outlines best practices for: • Operational procedures • Maintenance protocols • Risk assessment methodologies • Data security measures ISO 21384-3 provides organizations with a clear roadmap to achieve operational excellence and compliance, mitigating risks while unlocking new opportunities for growth. By offering detailed guidelines, the standard ensures that operators can implement uniform protocols, reducing errors and improving reliability. It also helps businesses meet regulatory requirements, facilitating easier approvals for commercial drone use and building trust with stakeholders. For example, an RPAS service provider can apply ISO 21384-3 principles and best practices for operators and manufacturers alike. With industries relying more heavily on drones for inspections, urban environ- ment missions, surveys, and environmental monitoring, the introduction of ISO 21384-3 has established a foundation for growth and sustainability. This standard not only reduces risk but also helps businesses scale operations confidently, knowing they adhere to proven safety frameworks. Drone solution However, there was one significant challenge: despite the release of these standards, there were no certification bodies available to validate compliance. Without third-party verification, many businesses struggled to demonstrate adherence to safety protocols, leaving gaps in accountability and limiting the adoption of drones in regulated industries. In 2020, when the demand for drone inspections slowed during the COVID- 19 pandemic, Altomaxx pivoted towards becoming a certification body and seized the opportunity to fill a critical need within the industry. This strategic move positioned Altomaxx as the first and only accredited T he drone services industry is experiencing exponential growth. That said, however, this rapid expansion has revealed a critical issue: the lack of consistent operational safety standards. While drones promise improved efficiency and cost savings, their widespread use introduces new risks – mid-air collisions, data breaches, and equipment failures – that demand proactive rather than reactive awareness. Without clear safety benchmarks, businesses face regulatory hurdles, insurance challenges, and operational inefficiencies, and public distrust limiting the industry’s potential. In 2019, the International Standards Organization (ISO) took an important step forward by introducing ISO 21384- 3 – Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This was the first globally recognized set of standards specifically designed to ensure the safe operation of modern drones. The new ISO 21384-3 standard set a high bar, encompassing guidelines for both consumer and enterprise-grade drones, covering essential safety protocols FEATURE By Steve Priestley, COO, Altomaxx Technologies Inc. ISO 21384-3: The Path to Sustainable Growth in Our IndustryAerial Evolution Magazine | 11 industry. As more businesses prioritize compliance, we can expect: • Broader acceptance of drones in regulated industries such as energy and transportation. • Expanded insurance options and reduced premiums for certified operators. • Greater public trust in drone technology, opening doors for urban air mobility and delivery services. ISO 21384-3 is more than just a safety standard; it’s a blueprint for sustainable growth in the drone industry. By addressing operational risks and enabling scalable solutions, it paves the way for safer skies and more profitable operations. As pioneers in accreditation, organizations like Altomaxx are leading this transformation, ensuring that innovation and safety go hand in hand. Steve Priestley has 24 years in the environ- mental and innovation sector as well more than 10 years of C-level management expe- rience. He has worked with municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada, assisting communities with their water and wastewater needs prior to cofounding Alto- Maxx in 2018. Steve loves the travel and education that comes along with this career and learning from first-hand experience in the field. He is passionate about his work, and loyal and dedicated to his employees, customers and external stakeholders. assessments and certifications, Altomaxx helps businesses align with global safety standards, reducing liability and boosting credibility. The value of ISO compliance extends beyond individual businesses. It builds trust across entire industries, encouraging regulators, insurers, and investors to support drone technologies. The ISO approach illustrates how standardized practices open new opportunities while maintaining focus on safety, corporate responsibility and continuous improvement. Canada has emerged as a global leader in drone safety and compliance, setting a high standard for the industry. Altomaxx, a Canadian company, is the first and only certification body for ISO 21384-3, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to advancing drone operations through rigorous certification processes. Similarly, AVSS, another Canadian organization, became the first company worldwide to achieve ISO 21384-3 certification, further solidifying Canada’s position at the forefront of innovation and safety in unmanned aerial systems. This collective effort highlights Canada’s role in shaping the future of drone technology, ensuring that safety, efficiency, and reliability remain central as the industry continues to grow. Conclusion The adoption of ISO 21384-3 marks a turning point for the drone services across diverse applications, from visual inspections of bridges and coastlines to confined space inspections and fugitive emissions methane detection. This demonstrates how the standard enables advanced, high-risk operations while maintaining safety and consistency. The benefits of ISO 21384-3 compliance There are a variety of benefits for RPAS service providers in ISO 21384-3 compliance, such as: • Streamlined operations: Achieving ISO 21384-3 accreditation streamlines operations by standardizing procedures and maintenance protocols. Com- panies adopting the standard report fewer maintenance issues and reduced downtime, resulting in more efficient workflows. RPAS-based inspections, including LiDAR surveys and photo- grammetry, highlight how consistent methodologies reduce errors, improve data accuracy, and speed up project completion timelines. • Enhanced safety measures: Stan- dardized safety protocols minimize human error and equipment failure. For instance, RPAS-based confined space inspections rely heavily on ISO-man- dated checklists and pre-flight verifica- tions, ensuring reliability in hazardous environments where human entry is dangerous or impossible. By following ISO 21384-3 guidelines, drones reduce the need for manual labor in risky con- ditions, improving worker safety and lowering incident rates. • Financial advantages: Consistency and reliability lead to greater customer satisfaction and repeat business. Com- panies that adhere to ISO 21384-3 often see improved reputation and opera- tional efficiency. • Environmental benefits: ISO-compli- ant operations often emphasize sustain- able practices. By replacing traditional inspection methods that rely on heavy machinery, RPAS services help reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Appli- cations like bathymetry surveys provide accurate data without disturbing eco- systems, aligning with modern sustain- ability goals. While the benefits of ISO 21384-3 are clear, widespread adoption depends on certification bodies to ensure compli- ance. As the first certification body for this standard, Altomaxx plays a pivotal role in setting the benchmark for drone safety on a global scale. By providing rigorous UAV-borne geophysics, particularly with magnetic field sensors, offers superior resolution over traditional heliborne systems. However, UAV-based electromagnetic (EM) methods using controlled primary field sources face limitations in depth of investigation (DOI). Integrating natural EM fields as a primary source has proven to be a game changer in mineral exploration. Exploiting natural EM fields extends DOI significantly and aligns with the industry’s evolving needs. UAVs offer key advantages, including low-speed operations for collecting data with higher density and with reduced motion noise, which enhance the quality of data and expand the low-frequency range crucial for deep exploration. Additionally, UAVs can operate after sunset, leveraging heightened natural EM field intensity benefit traditional helicopter systems lack. In 2024, Expert Geophysics introduced MobileMTd, a drone-based EM technology tested over known targets in Western Australia. The system outperforms traditional heliborne EM methods, offering higher resolution and greater DOI. Its ability to gather data over a wider low-frequency range is critical specifically for exploring conductive regions and overburdens. MobileMTd, with the ability to deploy multiple UAVs, assures maximum productivity, especially during peaks of natural electromagnetic activity. The system’s wide resistivity detectability range, extended DOI from near-surface to over 1 kilometer, making it suitable for diverse tasks, from identifying mineral systems to exploring geothermal energy sources and CO 2 storage sites. Its adaptability to different tasks instills confidence in its versatility. MobileMTd represents a significant leap forward in UAV-borne geophysics, combining drone precision with natural field EM sensing for deeper, more effective subsurface exploration. REVOLUTIONIZING SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION: UAV-BORNE GEOPHYSICS www.expertgeophysics.com • 647-657-4774 • info@expertgeophysics.comAerial Evolution Magazine | 13 T here are currently an estimated 1.5 million undoc- umented oil and gas wells in North America, which were left behind as oil and gas fields depleted, with many being drilled in the last 150 years, in surroundings that are far different than when originally drilled. What’s more, many of these wells are still emitting hazardous gases and / or hydrocarbon fluids, which pose a threat to the public and the surrounding environment, and often at levels undetectable by satellite or traditional planes. In addition, according to the Canadian government, there are 10,000 orphaned and abandoned mine sites in the country. Finding this infrastructure over a vari- ety of landscapes that can include prairies, forests, and hilly terrain is difficult to do via ground technicians and cost-prohibitive by helicopter, making remotely piloted air- craft system (RPAS) platforms an attractive approach. As seen in Southern Ontario and other provinces, the rapid spread of municipalities has resulted in private residences being located nearby and – in some instances – on top of historical oil and gas wells, as well as mining sites. In some cases, these wells have also leaked hazardous gases that have led to a loss of life in the subsequent explosion(s). That is why finding and remediating these wells leads directly to a safer and cleaner environment and reduces liability for the company and / or landowners. A drone solution Using a high-endurance RPAS platform capable of up to two hours of flight time, while carrying various and multiple third-par- ty sensors and automating the processing of collected data, presents an attractive solu- tion for addressing the undocumented well problem and overcoming the challenges pre- sented by other methods. FEATURE By Neil Keown, P. Tech (Eng.), Founder, Sawback Technologies Improving Oil / Gas Well and Underground Infrastructure Detection with RPAS Integrating geophysical, LiDAR, and gas sensors into a RPAS can be a challenge, made increasingly more complicated by the need for sensors to have accurate telemetry to ensure proper flight parameters are met and to ensure data integrity is not compromised. Having an agnostic hardware platform module to provide a common power / data connection point for multiple sensors and onboard telemetry allows for any suitable RPAS to be configured and operational within minutes. While in flight, the same hardware platform module can use its onboard instrumentation to monitor flight parameters and send warnings to the pilot if issues arise with how the sensors are being flown, while also being fused with the collected sensor data. The data can then either be stored locally or optionally streamed to a cellular network during the flight. As with all data collection, how to con- vert the data quickly and efficiently into actionable decisions is of primary concern. Solutions that have developed approaches using machine learning to automatical- ly identify abandoned well locations and other underground items of interest, such as pipeline leaks, delivers results faster, with the additional benefit of being delivered Minimizing time and effort, RPAS allows companies to efficiently survey large areas while achieving higher data quality. Photos courtesy of Sawback Technologies and Pegasus Aeronautics.14 | www.aerialevolution.ca hundreds of previously unknown wells, as well as associated greenhouse gas level measurements. This allowed the customer to then deploy field crews to specific locations, shaving months and years from their anticipated schedule and providing savings in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Quantifying the number of these undocumented wells, many of which were emitting greenhouse gases, empowered the customer to work with appropriate regulators to remediate these locations, and address environmental and public safety concerns. At the conclusion of the project, the customer saved 12 weeks from their project schedule and were able to deploy field crews months ahead of projected schedule to ground truth the findings of the magnetic data. The RPAS operators were able to deliver twice as much data per flight, increased their area coverage by 30 per cent and reduced time spent in configuration and setup by 1.5 hours per day. Conclusion This RPAS solution was shown to enable users (i.e. RPAS service companies) to efficiently survey large areas while achieving higher data quality. It minimizes the time and effort required to manage multiple sensors, such as geophysical or other specialized technologies. By reducing the need for extensive data processing, specialized technicians, and complex software, this solution directly lowers the overall costs of such projects. Industries that rely on geophysical sensors – such as mining, infrastructure (e.g., assessing the condition of concrete structures and roads), and defense – can benefit significantly. Traditionally, RPAS applications often require separate flights for each sensor type, however, this solution allows multiple sensors to be deployed simultaneously. As a result, RPAS companies can deliver greater value to customers by maximizing flight time, collecting high-quality, consistent data, and streamlining operations. Neil Keown has spent the last 23 years working in the manufacturing, automotive, and the oil/gas sector, as an electrical technologist. In 2016, he moved on from the oil / gas sector, and into the remote sensing field, where he founded Sawback Technologies to address a market gap in minimizing the environmental footprint while collecting, visualizing and analyzing near- surface data. by Sawback Technologies and Pegasus Aeronautics, units were equipped with hardware module and multiple sensors. This solution reduced the level of com- plexity in handling the LiDAR, magne- tometer and gas sensors, flight telem- etry, data management and processing, typically pain points for RPAS operators. On average, the RPAS could be setup and collecting data within 15 minutes after arrival at the flight area. By deploying multiple RPAS units, the area was covered in 18 days and the customer was able to ground-truth suspected wells within hours of the completed flights, with automatically detected locations identified. The RPAS pilots were also able to ensure that the sensors were placed correctly to reduce the chances of bad data and re-work, which was critical due to the tight schedule constraints. As the project unfolded, the customer was able to see the visual results from the areas that were flown, with the software platform automatically identifying into easy-to-read formats that are compat- ible with GIS and other reporting packages. Impact and business case In a recent project, an area of 12,500 acres (50 square kilometres) with a deep history of oil and gas activity was suspect- ed of having a large number of undocu- mented wells present. The customer had previously explored using helicopters and ground-based field technicians to cover the area, which encompassed hilly and heavily forested terrain, using magnetic and gas detectors. However, the terrain precluded the use of helicopters due to safety and landowner concerns. Field technicians would have taken 12 weeks to accomplish the task, while being exposed to a variety of hazards (environmental, landowners, and difficult terrain) and at a high risk of delays due to hunting season and winter. The RPAS solution was found to be more cost-efficient to cover the proj- ect area, while avoiding the above con- cerns. Using a turnkey RPAS solution Sawback combines RPAS technology and software innovation to identify unknown wells and associated GHG emissions, saving the client both time and money.Aerial Evolution Magazine | 15 to be equipped with a heavy payload for aerial applications of both dry and liquid products. Its quad-copter design offers a versatile machine to complete high clear- ance spraying, spraying in tight areas, propeller down wash for canopy pen- etration, with exceptional coverage. With leaders using intuitive automatous flying, it’s as easy as drawing a boundary map with your finger on the app, press a but- ton to start and/or resume the mission then all the pilots must do is watch the drone and refill it. Spray drone leaders equip their drones with small features which make a big difference in productivity, such as: • Terrain following and obstacle avoid- ance radars. • Semi-rigid (teeter toter) rotors for in- flight stability and motor longevity. • GPS/RTK for more precise application. tasks. Depending on the field size, turn- around time for an output map is also relatively quick after flying, which makes it easy to visit and analyze the data on location. But mapping drone usage extends beyond just data collection and now has added uses in creating boundaries, spot spraying, and more variable application maps to utilize the spray drone technol- ogy. First the drone collects data to make an informed decision on how to apply products on the terrain and then, once informed, it can carry out the application accurately with a spray drone. You can also take it a step further by implementing sys- tems like auto-steer and automated irriga- tion valves, so that from planting to harvest there is a fully integrated level of automa- tion, accuracy, and technology. Application spray drones are designed S mart farming, like any technology, changes every year – so let’s look at where smart farming is for drones in 2025. Smart technologies are implemented to create a more holistic approach when completing a task with the end goal of making life easier, promoting efficiency, increasing productivity, thereby resulting in higher production. Mapping drones are already used in many industries to capture high resolution images and data. Today, mapping aids the agriculture sector with monitoring crop health, weed / pest management, variable rate application, and drainage /irrigation planning. These drones collect high value data with cameras, such as the multi- spectral, and have become a standard and cost-effective option for a wide range of FEATURE By Lucas Weber, Technical Agriculture Specialist, Ag Business & Crop Inc. How Drones Are Shaping the Future of Farming Drones today are benefiting the agriculture sector in many ways: getting to the field easier, safer, and more cost-effectively than many traditional methods. Photos courtesy of Ag Business & Crop Inc.16 | www.aerialevolution.ca weigh the non-monetary benefits such as operator health, environmental protection, and timing of application. Other notable opportunities include pre-harvest cover crop broadcasting to get an earlier germination in hopes of a better stance. The use of downwash spraying applications functions like an air assist sprayer, where it opens the canopy to get better penetration and capture the product where it needs to go to be more effective. Spray drones broaden your application timing possibilities in that you do not have to stop because of weather like rain. They also have zero yield trampling, which may cause between 2 to 8 per cent – or even more – yield loss, depending on the field size, shape, and other factors. Flying up to 18 metres per second, drones can spread both seed and dry fertilizer very quickly. These drones also allow us to move from a large $1,000,000 helicopter or ground rig to a smaller drone costing around $45,000 depending on the package. This puts the pilot on the ground and makes it easier and cheaper to repair. Rules of the air In terms of regulations, Transport Canada has made it easier for agriculture drone operators to become certified to fly legally in airspace as of 2025. Currently, operators are required to get the advanced drone license and Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for spray drones. The only current major holdback is getting crop protection products legalized with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). While we wait for crop protection products to be made legal, drone mapping and aerial application work together to revolutionize precision farming, which aids custom operators and farmers alike. Modern drones offer many current opportunities, and these horizons will only broaden as the technology and laws develop. If you’d like to learn more about spray or mapping drones, please reach out to Aerial Evolution or the author of this article. Having grown up in agriculture, Lucas Weber is deeply passionate about revolutionizing farming through precision techniques. Constantly driven to explore innovative solutions, he strives to push boundaries, explore and implement cutting- edge technology, and seeks to create a more efficient, sustainable, and future-ready ag-industry that benefits both farmers and the environment. Many of the benefits of drones appear in what they prevent. Take environmental impacts for example – using drones means you are not compacting your soil. You are typically burning around 90 liters of fuel from the generator and trucking, including a three-hour commute. This is comparable to a self-propelled sprayer which could burn around 175 to 250 litres of fuel a day for the same 500 acres. If you are spot spraying or using variable rates, you waste less product and are more environmentally responsible with drones as it applies the product only on what needs it. From a health perspective, drones help the operator in that they are not stuck in the cab all day breathing in the substances that the filter is not catching. You can also boost productivity in that a single person can pilot the drone and truck with all their spraying / spreading product (including water), and a drone with a 60-litre liquid tank to accomplish roughly 50 acres per hour for each drone. When looking at spray drones you must consider both the cost per acre for your current operation and • Plug and play maintenance/repair sys- tems. • Modular frame to change tanks quickly. • Larger tanks for efficiency (+10L makes a big difference). • Pressure washer rated. • Aluminum frames with large piping, keeping it light and heavy duty. Opportunities for agriculture As many farmers may already know, the big opportunity for using spray drones will be battling fungus, such as white mold and tar spot, as well as micro-dosing fertilizers, biologicals, and cover crops. However, there are many other opportunities that farmers and operators should consider that may be frequently overlooked. Spray drones can also be utilized by other sectors such as forestry, greenhouses, energy, oil and gas, public health initiatives and even infrastructure upkeep. Examples include tree-planting, vegetation management, clearing right of ways, mosquito / pest control and painting greenhouse roofs. Application spray drones are designed to be equipped with a heavy payload and are able to spread both seed and dry fertilizer very quickly for the farmer. “As many farmers may already know, the big opportunity for using spray drones will be battling fungus, such as white mold and tar spot, as well as micro-dosing fertilizers, biologicals, and cover crops. However, there are many other opportunities that farmers and operators should consider that may be frequently overlooked." Aerial Evolution Magazine | 17 Members of the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada are invited to submit article proposals to aeacmagazine@aerialevolution.ca. Articles can't be company or product promotional, but rather should showcase how drones are benefiting major industries. Authors and their companies will be identified as experts on the article byline and will have an author bio included at the end of their piece. Submissions that are accepted will be contacted with fur- ther details, including deadlines and word counts. Write for Aerial Evolution Magazine! Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 Aerial Evolution THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AERIAL EVOLUTION ASSOCIATION OF CANADA SPRING 2025, ISSUE #1 Magazine AGRICULTURE FIRST RESPONSE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION FORESTRY OIL & GAS ENERGY MINING & RESOURCE EXPLORATION SPECIAL ADVERTISER: DRONE SCHOOLS & TRAINING18 | www.aerialevolution.ca and training requirements. Advanced Operations require prior approval from NAV CANADA when flying in controlled airspace. For activities that exceed these categories, such as flying drones heavier than 25 kilograms, operating above 122 meters, or conducting complex missions, operators must obtain a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC). This certificate provides flexibility for innovative and higher risk use cases. These regulations form the backbone of Canada’s thriving drone ecosystem, enabling safe and structured opera- tions while encouraging businesses to adopt drone technology in their workflows. This approach has already shown significant impact across indus- tries, particularly in infrastructure inspections, land surveying, and moni- toring in resource-rich sectors. Current regulatory framework: Operating under VLOS Canada’s regulatory framework for drones ensures a balance between safety, innovation, and accessibility. Since 2019, all drones weighing between 250 grams and 25 kilograms must be registered with Transport Canada, and their operators are required to hold a valid pilot certificate. The two primary types of pilot certificates are Basic Operations and Advanced Operations: • Basic Operations allow drone flights in uncontrolled airspace and at least 30 meters horizontally from bystanders. Pilots must keep their drones within visual line-of-sight and under 122 meters (400 feet). • Advanced Operations enable flights in controlled airspace, near or over bystanders, provided that the drone and operator meet additional safety T hanks to its robust regula- tory framework, Canada has emerged as a global leader in integrating drone technolo- gy into commercial, industri- al, and public operations. The introduction of Part IX of the Canadian Avia- tion Regulations (CARs) in 2019 established foundational rules for operating remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) within visual line-of-sight (VLOS). Looking ahead, the next transformative step will involve the development of Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) regulations, expected to roll out by late 2025 or early 2026. This article examines the current regu- latory landscape, the immediate opportuni- ties under VLOS operations, and the future potential of BVLOS regulations to drive inno- vation and expansion across sectors such as mining, oil and gas, forestry, transportation, and cargo delivery. FEATURE By Declan Sweeney, Executive Director, Aerial Evolution Association of Canada An Overview of Canadian Drone Regulations and Upcoming BVLOS OpportunitiesAerial Evolution Magazine | 19 Key features and benefits of BVLOS regulations include: • Expanded operational range: With BVLOS, drones can be used for long- distance deliveries and large-area sur- veys. For example, companies could transport medical supplies to remote communities or monitor hundreds of kilometers of pipelines in a single mission. • Increased efficiency and cost savings: BVLOS operations reduce the need for multiple deployments or pilot relocations, making missions more cost-effective. Autonomous flight capabilities could further lower operational expenses. • Enhanced data collection: Equipped with advanced sensors, larger BVLOS drones can gather more comprehensive data in a single flight, providing actionable insights for industries such as mining and forestry. • New business models: BVLOS paves the way for services like drone-based logistics, aerial mapping for smart cities, and even passenger transport using air taxis, offering significant operational and efficiency gains. Regulatory developments and R&D initiatives Transport Canada is taking a phased approach to BVLOS regulations. Initially, the focus is on lower-risk environments such as rural and remote areas. These regulations will be informed by ongoing pilot projects and research, including: • Development of Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems to enhance safety. • Trials of drone traffic management networks to enable seamless airspace integration. become mainstream as technology advances and the approval of chemicals by health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is accelerated. The relatively low barrier to entry under VLOS rules – including the ease of obtaining pilot certificates and affordable drone technology – makes this an ideal starting point for businesses exploring RPAS adoption. The BVLOS revolution: Unlocking the future Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations represent the next significant leap in drone technology. BVLOS capabilities allow drones to travel further, cover larger areas, and perform tasks without requir- ing a pilot to maintain visual contact. These advancements are especially relevant for industries such as cargo delivery, large-scale resource monitoring, and environmental management. However, it is important to note that while BVLOS operations expand operational range and efficiency, they do not inherently make the tasks being com- pleted more complex or improve the qual- ity of the data collected compared to VLOS operations. Opportunities within VLOS operations Although BVLOS regulations are on the horizon, the current VLOS framework offers substantial opportunities for industries looking to integrate drones into their operations. Drones are already transforming the way businesses operate by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing safety in hazardous environments. Below are some key use cases illustrating how drones are being utilized effectively under VLOS regulations: • Mining and oil and gas: Drones equipped with sensors and cameras provide rapid assessments of mining sites, pipelines, storage facilities and drilling operations. They can detect leaks, assess structural integrity, and monitor environmental impact, reducing the need for human inspectors to enter dangerous zones. • Forestry: Drones assist in monitoring forest health, tracking deforestation, and assessing the aftermath of natural disasters such as wildfires. They provide critical data for sustainable resource management. • Transportation and critical infrastructure: Drones are being deployed to inspect dams, bridges, highways, and railways, offering detailed data and visual evidence of wear and tear without disrupting traffic or requiring costly scaffolding. • Environmental monitoring: From wildlife tracking to habitat assessments, drones offer cost-effective ways to gather data in remote or inaccessible areas, ensuring faster responses and improved conservation strategies. While the agricultural application of spray-drones is still in its infancy in Canada, it holds promise for future adoption. This includes using drones for precision farming, such as monitoring crop health and optimizing irrigation, which could “Drones present an opportunity to enhance the efficiency and reach of our transportation system, connect our communities, and modernize our supply chain networks. The proposed regulations, with a focus on mitigating safety risks while also supporting economic growth and innovation, would provide direct benefits to Canadians and unlock significant economic opportunities in Canada.” – Omar Alghabra, former federal Minister of Transport Drone Pilot Certificate Growth in Canada 2019 27,361 46,559 62,302 76,917 97,341 112,513 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024Next >