CSA Online by Alan Breznick DRONES A Bird’s-Eye View Forget AI for a minute. Drones are the other hot, new technology and one that is literally seen around the world. And Canada is no exception. The skyscape is changing rapidly thanks to drones – or UAVs: uncrewed (in older parlance, unmanned) aerial vehicles. Indeed, a staggering range of individuals and organizations are turning to these remotely controlled miniature aircraft to carry out all sorts of tasks. An incomplete list includes everyone from aviation buffs to land-based experts such as realtors, ranchers, farmers and housing developers; creatives from videographers to wedding planners; government agencies, the military, relief organizations and scientific researchers; and (of course) commercial enterprises such as security and package delivery services. The ever-growing list of drone-related duties includes snapping photos, shooting films, gathering research data, delivering packages, monitoring livestock, checking on crops, conducting geological surveys, aiding search-andrescue missions, and – technology never being overlooked in conflict and combat – spying on others and dropping bombs. Some drone tasks may involve connecting to computer networks via the Internet of Things; others are independent. Drones are taking off Indeed, industry research firm Statista estimates that more than 337,000 drones are roaming through Canadian skies at one point or another. That number has jumped more than seven times (700 per cent) over just the past three years. Of that estimated total, Transport Canada – the government agency which regulates what it terms “remotely piloted aircraft systems” (RPAs) – reports that it has registered nearly 115,000 drones and issued about 125,000 basic pilot certificates (pilot licences), plus nearly 19,000 advanced pilot certificates for the larger, heavier drones that meet certain regulatory requirements. Those numbers equate, if divided equally among them, to more than 10,000 licensed drones per Canadian province or territory. And those numbers are still soaring, thanks to the multiplicity of uses for drones. (Note: the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regulates that country’s drones.) Statista also estimates that more than 1,000 Canadian companies are now operating drones, including nearly 200 startup firms. As a result, the research firm projects that drones will generate a handsome $2 billion for the Canadian economy by 2030, up nearly 40-fold from an estimated $50.6 million in 2024. Not surprisingly, then, the Canadian government is also bullish on drones. “The economic benefits for Canada are meaningful, as drones have rapidly become part of the business operations of key commercial sectors,” a Transport Canada official wrote in an email response to questions. “Drones have also changed how many services are delivered and provide practical benefits to Canadian society, such as improving the efficiency and reach of Canada’s transportation system, connecting rural and remote communities and modernizing our supply chain.” What exactly is a drone? As defined by Transport Canada, drones are simply crew-free aircraft that are remotely controlled by human pilots. These flying contraptions come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from pint-sized micro drones that can fit in the palm of one’s hand to super-sized industrial drones that can be as big as a passenger bus. Why are drones growing so quickly? Drones are gaining in popularity for two main reasons. First, they are versatile, with many uses. Second, they are relatively easy to buy and operate. In Canada, operators adhering to certain safety standards can obtain a basic drone pilot licence at the age of 14. Given the rapid rise of drone use for such purposes, regulatory frameworks are rapidly adapting. It is essential to respect current law, in this case, recently updated Canadian Aviation Regulations. Transport Canada posts essential information, including new rules that just came into effect. So, what’s possible with a drone? And how are various professionals already using them for everything from sales to public safety? At the risk of ‘droning on’ here, let’s run through some ways in which these UAVs are already making an impact. Virtual visiting and trip planning Although drone range used to be a major limiting factor, some of the latest drone models can fly as far as 96 kilometres (around 60 miles) from their base location. As a result, drones can create enticing videos of remote, exotic locales. For footage of hard-to-reach places and spaces, drones can swoop in and perform aerial photography and videography, offering both broad overhead views and tight close-ups. As a result, drone footage is a great way to figure out travel destinations and preview coming attractions. YouTube users, for example, can find many drone-based videos featuring virtual trips to such alluring destinations as Hong Kong, Sydney, Paris, London, Rome, San Francisco, the Great Wall of China and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, among many other sites. 52 | www.snowbirds.org
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