MAAC and Transport Canada - June 1, 2019 Updates

[retiredVTT]

If there is any confusion regarding this topic, we (MAAC members) have a definitive source on high upon which we can source the correct info...he resides in St John, NB.

[JohnOSullivan]

Fact 1. Transport Canada will permit us to fly off MAAC registered fields with owners permission as long as we obey MAAC rules.

Fact 2. MAAC rules do NOT permit us to fly in areas that are not specifically MAAC sanctioned.

Bottom line is that no matter what TC says we are stymied my MAAC rules.

Maybe MAAC has something to learn from Transport Canada.

[JohnOSullivan]

After much haggling on RCCanada Forum it looks like we have the final say from Keith Morrison.

.............................................................................................................
RCC Senior Contributor

I am: Keith Morison
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Calgary AB

Re: Update on Regulatory Process
Quote:
Originally Posted by John O'Sullivan View Post
TC Document comes into force but no changes have been made in MAAC's policy. Only a directive from MAAC can change that. The limitations on where we can fly have aways been issued without any reference to Transport Canada and appear to be more insurance related.

.................................................................................................................................................
I recommend you, and your club President, contact your zone director for clarification.
I was recently sitting in on the Board meetings just before the MAAC AGM in Kamloops. The Insurance Advisory Board representatives there were clear that with landowner permission, and following MAAC rules, members are covered flying from non-MAAC sanctioned locations.
__________________
Keith Morison
MAAC 24909L
VA6 PIX
Morison Communications - Publishers of Model Aviation Canada
................................................................................................................

Looks like we NOW have the all clear to fly on Non-MAAC fields with owners permission under TC Exemptions.

[waxman]

This shouldn't effect flights at MAAC sanctioned fields in controlled airspace but as of tomorrow difficulty increases in flying RPAS in class C, D, or E airspace. This time its NAV Canada's input.

https://www.navcanada.ca/EN/products-an ... fault.aspx

[JohnOSullivan]

Does MAAC membership give us exemptions in Class C,D,and E Airspace? Indications from MAAC seem to indicate so. However, nothing less than a clear and definitive official declaration from MAAC will clarify this and we await with eagerness a clarification on this point.

[waxman]

Does MAAC membership give us exemptions in Class C,D,and E Airspace? Indications from MAAC seem to indicate so. However, nothing less than a clear and definitive official declaration from MAAC will clarify this and we await with eagerness a clarification on this point.

It depends on which airspace you are referring to. The only fully uncontrolled airspace is Class G. The MAAC exemption only allows flights at unsanctioned fields in uncontrolled airspace. Keep in mind that the further you are away from a control zone the higher the range of uncontrolled airspace.

Paragraph 14 of the Conditions in the MAAC exemption states: (The key words are outside of controlled airspace.)

14. The member of MAAC operating a RPAS within 3NM of an aerodrome outside of controlled airspace and identified in the Canadian Flight Supplement (CFS) or the Canadian Water Aerodrome Supplement (CWAS) shall, take-off, launch, land, or recover from either
a) a field sanctioned by MAAC; or
b) a field which is not sanctioned by MAAC and establish procedures to ensure that RPAS do not conflict with or pose a hazard to other aircraft in the vicinity.

[retiredVTT]

I saw this today on the RC Canada site, in a forum called "MAAC". I assume ALL MAAC members are to receive this message.

Bill




Re: Requirements - Clubs in Controlled Airspace

Just recejved this

This message was sent from the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada website.

Name: Peter Schaffer
MAAC Number: 44429
Email: pschaffer@kmts.ca
Subject: update to flying in controlled airspace

-- Start of Message --

To all Clubs within a Controlled airspace;
On June 1, MAAC operations in controlled airspace will continue status quo within their present locations in controlled airspace.
MAAC and NAV CANADA agree to meet by June 14, to agree to a way forward for allowing MAAC members access to controlled airspace for the existing 58 affected locations.
Enjoy your flying weekend

Peter Schaffer
President
Model Aeronautics Association of Canada

-- End of Message --

__________________
Lead, follow or get out of the way!

[waxman]

An interesting take on all this is the official definition of controlling agency in paragraph 12. Paragraph 12 states.

"The member of MAAC operating a RPAS in Class C, D, E, F, or any other type of restricted airspace shall take-off, launch, land, or recover from a field sanctioned by MAAC or, in the case where the field is not sanctioned by MAAC, the member of MAAC shall obtain, prior to entering the airspace, an authorization from the appropriate controlling agency or user agency;"

The key words here being "controlling agency". I had interpreted controlling agency as being Transport Canada. After seeking clarification of that term I learned that Controlling Agency is essentially the Tower. So, based on that, MAAC flights are allowed at unsanctioned fields inside controlled airspace with permission from the tower. Sounds great? Unfortunately getting permission from the Shearwater Tower, for example, may well be a separate challenge all in its own. After speaking with Shearwater we have found that they are still trying to figure out how to handle these new regulations themselves and you could find your inquiries/requests resulting in a run-around with DND and NavCanada both pointing back and forth with each other. We can only hope this improves over time.

The simple answer; fly at a MAAC field.

[retiredVTT]

On this very rainy Thursday, six days after the implementation of the new Canadian Drone Rules, time to hear the viewpoint from our crusty modeller friend from "down-under"..!
If this video is felt to be out of place on this thread, I shall remove it; but I felt we needed some humor today..!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWDD1VhqdTM

(PS ...thank you MAAC, for that "exemption clause"..!)

[JohnOSullivan]

Worth watching.
A good video and a factual assessment of the mindless and unnecessary minutia required in flying outside MAAC mandate.
Are we required to keep logs of every trip made in our cars and how often we change our oil or brake at a stop sign?

If an elevator pushrod comes loose or we have a low battery power off do we have to record that?
It is obvious TC regard model flying as a hazardous and life threatening activity.

We can only hope that with the passage of time common sense may prevail.

We can be thankful for the concessions that have been granted to MAAC flying, but the truth is that less than 5% of model fliers in Canada belong to MAAC. Are car drivers required to belong to a national car organization to operate their vehicles?