Going to the Abbotsford International Airshow? Leave your drones at home, organizers and police warn

Aircraft enthusiasts will be out in full force this weekend for the annual Abbotsford International Airshow, which kicks off today. But there’s one type of aircraft that's unwelcome.

The Abbotsford International Airshow and Abbotsford Police Department (APD) are asking drone-users to leave their drones at home and keep them away from the Abbotsford International Airport (CYXX), located about 50 kilometres east of Vancouver off the Trans-Canada Highway.

This year, the airshow, which will be held at the airport from today (August 9) to August 11, will be using drone-detection equipment to notify onsite police if a drone is detected so that the operator can be located.

Drones post a significant safety risk to aircraft, pilots, and airshow attendees, and have been identified at several airshows across Canada.

According to the APD, to operate a drone in a controlled airspace, an operator must have a Transport Canada Pilot Certificate (Advanced Operations) and a written Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Flight Authorization from NAV Canada—but such authorization is rarely granted.

On January 9, Transport Canada published new rules for operating drones in Canada enforced by Transport Canada and RCMP. Individuals or corporations can face fines or jail time for endangering aircraft or people, operating without a drone-pilot certificate, or flying unmarked or unregistered drones.

More information about flying drones legally and safely is available at the Transport Canada website.