CSA Online Drones can also help people seeking to learn about more local spaces which they haven’t yet explored in person. With speeds as high as 113 kilometres (or 70 miles) an hour, drones can quickly cover a lot of ground. Real-time real estate Drones have long been taking appealing photos and videos of properties listed for sale, including key location overheads. As well, developers or construction managers needing to know more about new projects or sites use drones to gather the pictures, videos and data that they require without having to travel to the site in person. Of course, privacy considerations may apply here, forbidding drones from flying too close and snooping on unsuspecting people. Drone users must make sure that they understand and follow the law. Celebrating special occasions Drones are changing festivities that light up the sky. In the U.S., Salt Lake City, Utah and Pasadena, California, for example, have shifted from traditional fireworks displays to drone light shows to mark special occasions such as July 4th – Independence Day. As a result, these municipalities have eliminated the risks and environmental impact of setting off explosives. Tracking the weather Meteorologists are rocketing specially designed weather drones into the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, the boundary layer. These weather drones have special sensors which gather information about temperature, humidity and wind, all with the aim of improving forecasting models. Putting out fires In a world increasingly on fire, drones are coming to the rescue yet again. These nimble devices can circle the flames and help firefighters pinpoint and assess hotspots, as well as monitor the fire’s perimeters. Drones can also help firefighters study thermal imaging of the flames to help them douse the fire more quickly and more efficiently. Checking on crops Farmers are getting high-tech help for understanding how their crops are faring. Drones can make a difference from afar by helping to monitor crop health and assess irrigation needs. Drones can also spray fertilizers and pesticides with greater precision than traditional crop dusters. Delivering needed supplies Drones can carry food, clothing, medicine and other critical supplies to people in need expeditiously, potentially eliminating the requirement for costlier delivery or courier services that also might not be able to get through. One company with this specialization employs drones to carry as many as eight pounds of supplies, flying as far as 193 kilometres (about 120 miles) per round trip. Aiding search-and-rescue missions Drones are helping first responders and other emergency services workers find missing people in storms, disaster areas and remote places. Drones equipped with special cameras and thermal sensors are helping rescuers spot and aid victims more quickly than ever before, offering urgent relief and helping them get home safely. Monitoring infrastructure Engineers, utility workers and others use drones to safely and efficiently zoom in on hard-toreach, potentially hazardous locations to ensure that bridges, tunnels, pipelines, power lines and other critical infrastructures are operating properly. Drones help them diagnose problems and point the way to repairs. Given this initial list of uses, it’s important to understand that drones are still relatively young, requiring all of the same oversight and attention as any new technology introduced in society. For most everyday users, the biggest concerns would be safety and privacy. How safe are drones? That depends. In the wrong hands – whether well-intentioned or not – these gadgets can cause mayhem and harm. Commonplace risks of drone use include accidental collisions with people, pets, wildlife, trees, bridges and even larger aircraft. Then there’s the not-insignificant fact that the radio frequencies on which they operate can interfere with other air traffic. Already, there have been publicized instances in which drone users are warned away from airports. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, drones flying too close to buildings or people risk breaking privacy laws and committing outright trespassing. Toronto police drove this message home in October when they fined nine people for illegally flying drones over the Rogers Centre during the Blue Jays’ playoff games. The overzealous fans were charged with violating Canadian Aviation Regulations concerning federally designated no-fly zones. Then, of course, there’s the weather. Nor surprisingly, harsh conditions such as rain, snow, sleet and heavy winds can wreak havoc with drones in flight. That’s a key reason drone users must undergo proper training and receive supervision before attempting to fly the equipment on their own. Finally, another potential challenge is that drones require line-of-sight at all times for proper operation. Without that, drone users could lose control of their craft, leading to all sorts of other problems. Clearly, as with all emerging technologies, drones have their pros and cons. People will find more uses for drones…and then drone use will raise more issues. The main point remains: Drones are much more than toy planes and, as they take off like their crewed counterparts, they have the potential to significantly change our world. Licensing To operate a drone in Canada, you will need to obtain a basic pilot licence from Transport Canada if your device weighs 250 grams or more. You will also need to register the drone with the agency. For more information, see: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/ drone-pilot-licensing Similarly, in the U.S., you will need to get a basic remote pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if your drone weighs more than 250 grams. You will also need to register your drone with the agency. For more information, see: www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_ operators/become_a_drone_pilot CSANews | WINTER 2025 | 53
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