New Mavic Mini and Mini 2 Guidelines for Canada! Sub 250 Drone Rules
New Mavic Mini and Mini 2 Guidelines for Canada! Sub 250 Drone Rules
On October 8, 2020, Transport Canada published new guidelines for sub-250g drones like the Mavic Mini, including rules of thumb and clarifications of no-fly-zones. Let’s discuss.
Here’s a link to the RPA chapter of the Oct 8, 2020 version of the Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM): https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2020-10/aim-2020-2_rpa-e.pdf
A DonDronesOn production.
See all my favourite Drone and Camera products on Amazon:
http://amazon.ca/shop/donjoyce
Drone Pilot Canada is the app of choice for Canadian drone flyers! It provides the features you need to meet all the procedural requirements of the 2019 Canadian RPAS regulations.
Drone Pilot is available for purchase here:
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/drone-pilot-canada/id1455291540
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myappatory.dronecanada
Data can now be transferred between platforms but each platform (Apple or Android) requires a separate purchase. Videos are available on my channel, DonDronesOn.com, with demos and training for all capabilities in Drone Pilot Canada. Contact me at DonDronesOn@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions.
All my DonDronesOn Exam Study Guide PDFs and Soft Copy Log Books are available for purchase here:
Drone Study Guides
Please join the Drone Pilot Canada Exam and RPAS Regulation Discussion Group on Facebook. The group focuses on discussing information required to pass the basic and advanced exams and preparing for your flight review. The new 2019 Canadian drone regulations are also discussed in the group. The group supports flying in compliance with the 2019 Canadian RPAS regulations:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/592682344571622/
I use CyberLink PowerDirector 365 to edit my videos. PowerDirector now includes free access to Shutterstock stock footage! Here’s a referral link:
https://membership.cyberlink.com/event/trace.jsp?linkId=329057&e=27628485&affid=2581_1464_926_auto-content-pack-notification_20200731_en_CA&traceLink=https%3A%2F%2Fmembership.cyberlink.com%2Fl.jsp%3Flang%3DENU%26event%3D4435%26e%3D646F6E6A6F79636533343340676D61696C2E636F6D
Choosing the right music for a video is important. I use music from Epidemic Sound. You can join Epidemic Sound from the link below and enjoy a free month:
https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/4jk9fj/
#dronepilotcanada #dondroneson #canadiandronelaws
Thank you so much.
I wonder, nowadays, many cities (like Montreal) have implemented laws that prohibit drones take off and landing in their parks. Do you think these kind of rules apply to sub 250 gramms drones? Where are we supposed to fly drones, if it is illegal to take off or land in a park?
Great video, Don. Thanks for taking the time to explain the rules. Your video was and is very helpful.
It says don’t fly over 400ft, what to do if I want to fly in a downtown and take pictures about buildings higher than 400ft?
Thanks for the valuable unfo Don 🙂 i have mavic mini2 and sitting in the cabnet now at least i can fly with precautions.
Thanks for that video Don! Still not clear for me if you can fly sub 250g drone over National Parks or Reserves or you still have to get a permission from the superintendent of the park? Thank you
Thank you for clarifying the government’s regulations, it is so simple with you. Good job. Keep us updated
Planning to be in Québec in a couple of weeks. Can you give some advice on how to pack the batteries for the Mavic Mini? Are there different regs for U.S. and Canada? Thank you.
Can we fly in parks?
Don, you won me with this video. You are both thorough and concise and that really helps. Cheers!
The next week I want go to Canada 🇨🇦 I have the mini 2, I am from Mexico 🇲🇽 I can fly my drone there, or I need make a course or something more?
I just got my first drone (DJI Mini 2) and your videos have been an immense help, thank you!
Great video! Wish I knew how many likes and dislikes this got. This has helped me tremendously!
Hi Don, do you know what the laws are for British Columbia? We are from Australia and are a little confused with the regulations specifically around BC provincial parks and tourist places of interest. We have a micro drone (249 grams) – mavic mini 2.
You are the best
I learn many thing from you
Huge thanks again for your detailed explanation.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Be always safe and healthy
I have my house inside an Authorization zone. Can you say whether I can fly or not? New to the drone community.
Hi Don, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I’m wondering if we’re allowed to use sub 250 dtones( I have mini 2) in British columbia parks as I see tons of footage from the parks but It’s mentioned in BCparks websites that it’s prohibited. Thank you again and keep up the good work man 🌺
Does this include restrictions on National Parks for sub 250g drones?
I honestly get so confused about the areas to which i can and cannot fly. I live 4km from Waterloo Regional Airport, and until watching this video, I hadn’t flown anywhere in my area because I was thinking I was too close to the airport to even take off at super low altitudes. Thank you for showing me that I can put it up, but with an eye for anything in my area.
"Don’t do anything stupid, but you can, if you’d like, we’re not going to stop you"
Don for Prime Minister!!!! Thank you I’m buying my mini 2
Another Mini 2 owner here. Very very helpful and re-enforces what I was thinking.
Thanks for the video, very informative!
I’m wondering if I should purchase a Mini 2 or any sub-250g drone. Is it completely exempt from all NFZs except for the ones listen in the AIM that you covered today, or do restrictions still apply for any NFZs?
Is your recommendation for staying under 30 metres in most NFZs “official”, or should we try to avoid flying in these zones anyway, even if we stay under 30 metres?
Thanks again!
F&T Cheers!!!
Very informative. Great video thank you.
I suppose we should be looking at the Canada NAV maps instead of the DJI supplied maps for warning zones then?
Thank you so much for this! Got my mini yesterday and needed a touch up on the regs
Pirate’s Code…..more like a guidelines…sorry could not help it. 😀 1:48
So… basically your saying if I have a mavic mini or any other drone under 250g i dont need to follow the other regulations (Like getting a license or maintaining flight records…etc) except for the ‘dont do anything stupid’ rule? Awesome video btw!
Hi Don, what type of lighting is required to fly a mini 2 at night? Is just a lume cube strobe enough, or is position lighting also required? Love your videos!
What is the legal meaning of Stupid ? …. and how many does it take to Screw in a Lightbulb ?
It would seem the deliberate vagueness of some of these new micro drone rule additions can lead you to being ticketed and have to defend yourself in court. It leaves too much interpretation for the ticketing officer.
I’ve been trying to find an answer to this question with no luck: Do you need a license for commercial drone photography/videography in Canada? I have a Mini 2 and I’d love to film some stock footage, but I just learned you need a license to sell your drone footage? Anyone have an answer to this?
thank you!
Hi; I just move to canada and I bring with me my Mavic 2 Pro. I’m looking and trying to find how I can get the permit to fly here in Canada. I really need help please. Thank you for any help in advance.
Thanks Don for the clarity on the sub 250 class done. You always do a great job. I just picked up a mini 2 and am having a great time.
I recently purchased a Mavic Mini 2, primarily for taking footage of my sailboat in various anchorages throughout the BC Sunshine Coast and the Gulf Islands. I feel safe that these areas are all far away from major airports, "critical infrastructure," etc… but float planes do operate throughout most of these areas. Am I generally safe to fly if I observe the guidelines you pointed out in the video? Most notably the 400ft rule? I downloaded the Nav Drone app but I’m finding it difficult to interpret the various shades of red and what constitutes a "warning" vs where drones are forbidden to fly. Thanks in advance – any help/clarity is appreciated!
With our large bodies of water, please take note a float plane could arrive at any moment at a low altitude. Use common sense and look out for single engine aircraft!
The new craze is these stol tundra tire flyers like to fly low and slow and increase risk with tire skipping the water.🙄
I fly rc aircraft and in the aviation Industry. Use common sense and adapt to your surroundings where you fly!
What about regular parks national and provincial?
thanks for your advice,i’m waiting for my new nini 2 and tablet,make my certificat worth it!!!
Great info here. Thank you 👍🇨🇦
all good. now they should increase weigh from 250 to 500gr and everyone going to be happy.
Hi Don! Ive just arrived to Canada from the UK and im living in Vancouver. Am I aloud to fly my mavic mini around beach and seaside areas such as kitsilano, so long as im not in the close proximity of people? Thanks!
An interpretation of the new rules included rules for non- Canadian citizens no matter what designation of drone. An American flying a Mavic Mini in Canada has to do something different than a Canadian citizen? Can you clarify?
Awesome video. I currently own a mavic pro. And will be getting a second drone. The mavic mini 2 or mavic air 2. I have my pilot certificate. But I’ve been looking for another drone that my girl can fly with me. I’m in British Columbia
Very very helpful! Thanks for sharing your insight Don.
you know the funny thing, if you’re a member of MAAC in Canada, you are exempt from part IX in the Canadian aviation regulations! As it says in the letter written to the president of MAAC you can fly anything above 250 g to 25 kg legally with your good standing account! No need to register, no logbooks, no pilots license or training! If I am wrong about this please correct me but from what I’ve read on the Canadian aviation regulations website there’s a link right to the MAAC information! I also even have the letter from Canadian aviation regulations to MAAC Regarding this exemption that started June 1, 2019.
Canada is off it stick!!
this explains why the DJI mini 2 does not have waypoints function. it could let you take the drone outside of your controllers radio signal.
I have a mavic mini 2 (249g) and I’m having difficulty to figure out if I need a license to use it for commercial use. I would like to use it for some of my clients.
I just got one the other day and I JUST LOVE IT! I never crashed it so far, It’s legal and super easy to fly. I’m practicing every day on it, except on windy days or rain, thunder. I failed the exam TWICE! But I didn’t give up, I just had to save up to fly one, I could fly. I’m Hooked. My big one still works, but nowhere to fly that one.. I’m a Droner now. lol