Drone BVLOS and Medium RPAS Rules

Summary#

These are the final rules titled Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (RPAS – Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight and Other Operations) (SOR/2025-70) that update how many drones can be used and who can fly them. They let some medium‑size drones and routine beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) flights happen without a case‑by‑case permit, add new pilot and operator certificates, and introduce or change several fees. The rules start on April 1, 2025, with some parts delayed until November 4, 2025.

What it does#

• Allows routine operations for drones up to 150 kg:

  • Permits some medium drones (over 25 kg up to 150 kg) to fly within visual line‑of‑sight (VLOS).
  • Permits certain BVLOS operations for drones weighing 250 g up to 150 kg over sparsely populated areas, below 400 feet above ground, and in uncontrolled airspace.
  • Removes the need for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for the types of BVLOS and medium‑VLOS flights covered by the new rules.

• New people and organization rules:

  • Creates an RPAS operator certificate (RPOC) for organizations doing BVLOS. Fee: $125.
  • Introduces a new pilot certificate, Level 1 Complex Operations (for lower‑risk BVLOS):
    • Ground school minimum 20 hours.
    • Exam fee $50; certificate fee $125.
    • Pilot must be at least 18 years old and meet recency rules every 24 months.
  • Keeps and updates the existing Advanced and Basic pilot rules and who can act as visual observers or flight reviewers.

• Product and manufacturer rules:

  • Expands registration so every drone of 250 g and above must be registered. Registration fee: $10 (up from $5).
  • Sets up a Declaration process and a stronger Pre‑Validated Declaration (PVD) path for manufacturers who want their models cleared for higher‑risk or near‑people operations. PVD acceptance fee: $1,200.
  • Requires manufacturers with PVDs to run a service‑difficulty reporting system and submit annual reports.

• Equipment and operating rules:

  • New technical and operational rules (site surveys, contingency procedures, detect‑and‑avoid and communications requirements).
  • BVLOS flights must avoid populated areas and remain clear of cloud with ground visibility at least 3 miles for most cases.
  • BVLOS drones must have anti‑collision lights meeting specified visibility and flash‑rate requirements (visible from one mile; flash 40–100 cycles/minute).

• Fees, penalties and administrative changes:

  • Introduces or updates many fees and a fee‑adjustment rule (annual CPI adjustment on April 1, applied only if change ≥ 1%).
  • SFOC fees by complexity: very low $20, low $75, medium $900, high $2,000; amendment fee $60. Emergency response and certain government emergency work are exempt from some fees.
  • Adds or raises administrative monetary penalties (examples: some violations now $3,000 for individuals and $15,000 for corporations; the Act’s maximum remains $5,000 individual/$25,000 corporate where applicable).

• Timing:

  • Most online services (registration, new exams, declarations) are available from April 1, 2025 (or on publication if later).
  • Many operational permissions and related provisions do not apply until November 4, 2025, giving operators time to train and certify.

Who's affected#

• Drone manufacturers and service‑system suppliers (those who make or support detect‑and‑avoid or command‑and‑control systems). They may choose to use the PVD path and will have to run reporting systems.
• Commercial drone operators (delivery, inspection, surveying, utilities, film, first responders when not acting under emergency exemptions). Many will need new certificates or an RPOC to do BVLOS.
• Recreational pilots and hobbyists — registration expands to more drones and fees rise (registration now $10). Microdrones at advertised events now require an SFOC.
• Training providers, flight reviewers and ground schools — new course and declaration requirements, and flight‑review standards.
• Small businesses in the drone sector (many operators are independent contractors) — they face some upfront costs for certificates and RPOCs but may gain access to more routine work.
• NAV CANADA and air‑traffic services — more airspace access requests and coordination in some areas.
• First responders and government agencies — emergency operations are specifically exempted from some fees, but higher‑risk operations still need SFOCs or RPOCs as appropriate.

If any group is affected in a particular way (for example a specific type of manufacturer or local club), the final rules or guidance may be needed to see the exact impact.

Why it matters#

• Makes some drone missions easier and more routine. Tasks like infrastructure inspections, environmental surveys, and deliveries in remote areas can be done more often without slow, case‑by‑case permissions.
• Opens the market for medium drones (up to 150 kg) and certain BVLOS flights, which can increase business opportunities and wider use of drones.
• Shifts some costs from taxpayers to users. New and higher fees (for registration, certificates, PVDs, and SFOCs) mean operators will pay more to access the system, but Transport Canada expects to recover more program costs.
• Raises safety and oversight expectations. There are new technical standards, operator‑level safety systems, reporting duties for manufacturers, and higher penalties to discourage risky behaviour.
• Gives industry time to adapt. The delayed start for many rules (until November 4, 2025) and online services (from April 1, 2025) aim to let people get training, declare systems, and update operations before the new permissions take effect.

If you want to know how the rules affect a specific drone model, job, or business, the regulations and Transport Canada guidance explain which flights need registrations, declarations, certificates, or SFOCs.