Transport Canada Regulations Limit Model Aviation Activities

Model Aeronautics Association of Canada

Rodger Williams, President
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+1 418 564-5225
www.MAAC.ca

March 16, 2017
Burlington, ON

For Immediate Release

Transport Canada Regulations Limit Model Aviation Activities

MAAC Members and Clubs See Exemptions
 

Transport Canada’s announcement of interim regulations for drone use will impact model aviation enthusiasts across the country that are flying any model aircraft between 250g and 35kg. The regulations place restrictions on how high model aircraft can be flown, and minimum distances from people and buildings when flying that will severely limit how and where people can enjoy the hobby. The announcement states that not only must recreational users put their contact information on drones, but also that they may not fly higher than 90 metres, within 150 metres of buildings, vehicles or people, or within 9 kilometres of the centre of any aerodrome.

However, within the regulations is an exemption for Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) Members flying at MAAC sanction fields and/or events. The exemption granted to MAAC members and sanctioned events is crucial to the continued operation of hundreds of clubs across the country.

The Transport Canada Advisory group of MAAC and the Board of Directors on behalf of The Model Aeronautics Association of Canada acknowledges Transport Canada's safety concerns and is appreciative for the clear recognition of the long history of safe operations by our membership. One of MAAC’s primary goals is keeping our members informed and educated on how to enjoy the hobby while keeping safety in the forefront, and that effort has paid off with this exemption.

One of the results of the regulations will be a surge of people looking to find a home within MAAC and MAAC member clubs. If we want this exemption to continue, it is crucial these new members be made to feel welcome and that they are educated on safe model operations. MAAC encourages members, clubs, and club executives to welcome these new members and/or actively assist them in forming their own interest specific clubs.

The interim regulations also call for active enforcement by local police forces, which may create issues for some members and clubs. MAAC recommends clubs contact their local authorities and ensure they are aware of the club’s existence, MAAC affiliation, and the Transport Canada exemption.

About The Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC):
MAAC is Canada’s internationally and federally recognized model aviation sanctioning body. Additionally, MAAC is a sitting member of Canadian Aviation Regulatory Advisory Council (CARAC), holds corporate membership with Unmanned Systems Canada (USC) and is a voting member of the FAI and the Aero Club of Canada.

For over 65 years the association has provided leadership, safety guidelines, and liability insurance to individual members, clubs, and field owners. MAAC serves over 11,500 members and more than 350 clubs across Canada. MAAC members are active in all disciplines of model aviation from free-flight models through radio controlled turbine powered models, including multi-rotor aircraft RC boating and rocketry.

For more information contact your zone director, the MAAC Office (maac.ca) or
Rodger Williams, President
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +1 418 564-5225

Devil 380 mini build review

Winter Update

Hello all, hope things are Good !!

Went down today at the pit at my shooting range but I had a look at our field !!!

Well Mr. Winter has done a little number on it !!!!!!

1--- The front support on the shelter has given way and the roof has fallen in / the roof panel still good so far ??

2--- Wacor has taken back one of the culvert boxes we used as a table, this is no big deal.

       It is the one farthest from the shelter and now there is a small pile of snow and sand built up there from them plowing for use.

       It will melt and we can smooth it out later, again no big deal !!.

3---The nails down the middle of the runway has popped up ( about a 1/2" to 1 " ) like last year due to the water under the landing strip freezing and lifting them up / plus there maybe more ???

4--- There is a bit of sand, dirt, and mud all over the runway etc.

Now all this can be fixed easy, so if you guys have a little time over the next while and have some old long 2x4's, screws and nails or a blower/brooms etc and you have the expertise in doing these things. I know your help would be appreciated !!!

I plan as things dry out a bit ( it is still very wet )  to hammer the nails back in with my mini hand sledgehammer as Peter and I did last year.

Hope to see some of you down at the field flying etc. over the next while, weather permitting !!!!

Take Care

Woody

Winter Flying!

Just wanted to share a couple of pictures of the flying field. Put some skis on my RV-8. It was amazing! About a foot of snow out there still. Bumped into a guy in a front end loader clearing the gravel road. He said he would go up and clear our parking lot! The roof on the shelter held up under the snow load. Cheers Bob

RC Glow airplanes FOR SALE & Acc. Update

Sale has gone very successful, most items are sold. I still have a HawkPro helicopter left with OS 32 engine. YS120 pumped motor (4Stroke), YS61 pumped motor(2Stroke).

Some airframes, some airplanes with motor and servos.

Ph. (250) 923 6641

Lots of RC Glow airplanes FOR SALE & Acc.

Dr. Brodie generously donated quite a bit of RC Stuff to our club. Contact me to come by and have a look, make an offer. Some of the items are a Goldberg Extra 300 ready to fly comes with YS120 and smoke, 60 size pattern plane (61), something Extra (OS61FX), several brand new kits, Tracer, Birdie and f15 eagle also several partially built kits (Spitfire, F14 tomcat). Many 40 size sport planes that have been stripped of components (any offer accepted!). Also a box of two stroke thunder tiger engines various sizes, bearings, compression are good (Any offer accepted!). My number is 250 923 6641, or text me at (250) 203 6334

Please note No electric stuff for sale, Glow planes only and one glow powered helicopter.