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BVLOS Drone Regulations in Canada: A Guide to Autonomous UAV Operations

  • Active Drone Solutions
  • Sep 15
  • 3 min read


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Introduction

The future of commercial drones in Canada is moving rapidly toward Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and autonomous drone operations. These capabilities are transforming industries such as oil and gas, utilities, mining, and infrastructure inspection, where drones can replace costly ground patrols and risky manned flights.

But to unlock these advantages, organizations must navigate the Transport Canada drone regulations that govern BVLOS and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

In this guide, we’ll break down:

  • What BVLOS means in practice.

  • The Transport Canada requirements for BVLOS drone approvals.

  • The role of Drone-in-a-Box systems in enabling autonomy.

  • How Canadian companies can prepare for scalable, compliant drone operations.

What is BVLOS and Why Does it Matter?

Most commercial UAV flights in Canada today are restricted to Visual Line of Sight (VLOS). This means the pilot must see the drone with their own eyes — no binoculars, no camera feed.

For short-range projects this is fine, but for industries with long corridors (pipelines, transmission lines, railways) or remote facilities, VLOS is a major limitation.

Benefits of BVLOS drone operations in Canada include:

  • Greater coverage: Drones can fly far beyond the operator’s line of sight.

  • Cost efficiency: More kilometers covered per mission with fewer crews.

  • Improved safety: Reduce or eliminate the need for workers in hazardous or remote areas.

  • Faster response: Real-time monitoring and rapid deployment when issues are detected.

Transport Canada’s Regulatory Framework for BVLOS

Drone operations in Canada are regulated under CAR Part IX – RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems).

  • VLOS operations require a Basic or Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate.

  • BVLOS operations require a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC).

Key BVLOS Drone Requirements in Canada

To secure BVLOS approval from Transport Canada, operators must demonstrate:

  1. Detect-and-Avoid TechnologyThe UAV must be able to identify and avoid manned aircraft and other aerial hazards. Systems like DeTect Harrier Radar, ADS-B, and optical sensors are common solutions.

  2. Comprehensive Risk AssessmentApplicants must submit a detailed safety case, including hazard analysis, mitigations, and contingency planning.

  3. Operational ProceduresClear manuals, emergency checklists, and communication protocols are mandatory.

  4. Airspace Integration with NAV CANADACoordination is required to ensure safe integration of UAVs in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

Autonomous Drone Operations in Canada

The next step beyond BVLOS is autonomy — drones that can launch, fly missions, land, and recharge automatically.

Drone-in-a-Box (DIB) systems like DJI Dock 2 and Dock 3 are already enabling remote operations in Canadian pilot projects. These systems are game changers for:

  • Pipeline and right-of-way inspections

  • Tailings pond monitoring

  • Utility and powerline inspections

  • Site security and surveillance

Challenges for Autonomous Drone Operations

  • Incremental approvals: Operators often move from VLOS → Extended VLOS → BVLOS before autonomy.

  • Reliability: Regulators want documented performance data from real missions.

  • Redundancy: Multiple layers of communication, sensors, and fail-safes increase approval chances.

The Future of BVLOS Regulations in Canada

Transport Canada is actively working with industry stakeholders to expand the regulatory framework for routine BVLOS operations.

Future regulations are expected to streamline approvals, allowing more companies to scale drone operations across Canada.

How Active Drone Solutions Helps

At Active Drone Solutions, we specialize in guiding clients through the BVLOS approval process. Our services include:

  • SFOC application support for Transport Canada BVLOS approvals.

  • Integration of detect-and-avoid systems like radar and ADS-B.

  • Deployment of Drone-in-a-Box systems for autonomous inspections.

  • Data management, analytics, and compliance support for long-term scalability.

Whether you’re in oil & gas, utilities, or industrial infrastructure, our team helps you safely transition from traditional inspections to BVLOS and autonomous drone operations in Canada.

Conclusion

BVLOS and autonomous drone operations are no longer a distant vision — they’re here today. Canadian companies that move early will gain a competitive edge with safer, more efficient, and scalable operations.

If your organization is ready to explore BVLOS drone inspections in Canada, reach out to Active Drone Solutions to learn how we can help you navigate regulations and deploy cutting-edge UAV solutions.

 
 
 

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