Manitoba RCMP are reminding those with drones to be careful of how and when the operate them following an incident earlier this month.
RCMP Media Relations Officer, Sgt. Paul Manaigre says that on September 3, a crash on Provincial Road 210 in the RM of Saint Anne prompted STARS air ambulance to be called in. However, due to a drone flying over the scene, the air ambulance was delayed and could not land. Ultimately, the collision ended fatally for a 42-year-old motorist.
"As STARS approached the site, a drone was observed in the air, and STARS couldn't land at that point. In the end, the ambulance wasn't needed, so it was rerouted back to Winnipeg. But the concern around this was brought up to us. We looked into some of the issues surrounding drones and some of the information that we can provide to the public for those that do operate drones on a recreational basis."
Mounties say that they have yet to identify the operator but want to outline some points of stress for drone owners in areas where police and first responders are attending, which could interfere with life-saving measures and result in a fine of up to $1,000.
The use of remotely piloted aircraft systems, or "drones," is regulated by Transport Canada under the Canadian Aviation Regulations. These regulations include that the drone must be operated:
- below 90 m above the ground
- at least 30 m away from vehicles, vessels, and the public (if your drone weighs more than 250 g up to 1 kg)
- at least 75 m away from vehicles, vessels, and the public (if your drone weighs more than 1 kg up to 35 kg)
- at least 5.5 km away from aerodromes (any airport, seaplane base, or areas where aircraft take-off and land)
- at least 1.8 km away from heliports or aerodromes used by helicopters only
- outside of controlled or restricted airspace
- at least 9 km away from a natural hazard or disaster area
- away from areas where operation could interfere with firefighters, police or first responders
- during the day and not in clouds or smoke
- within your sight at all times
- within 500 m of yourself or closer
"In an emergency, it is imperative that all necessary resources are able to respond," says Corporal Ryan Cadotte of the Manitoba RCMP Remotely Piloted Aircraft System unit.
Manaigre notes that as drones become more popular, people must familiarize themselves with the rules.