CANADA
Regulatory oversight for remote piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) is rapidly evolving to meet today’s demands for the use of unmanned aircraft systems in every sector. FulcrumAir’s team stays up-to-speed on all of the latest regulatory developments and is well-positioned with regulators, allowing us to react to any regulatory changes quickly. Our company currently has regulatory approval to fly our E2500 and E7500 systems Canada-wide within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS). Approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) applications is being actively pursued and Fulcrum expects to be successful in receiving this exceptional qualification to support our industrial partners.
Canadian RPAS regulations are governed by Transport Canada under two categories:
1. Canadian Aviation Regulations (Part IX)
Applies to VLOS machines under 25kgs.
In order to fly an RPAS under Part 9 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, a pilot’s certificate is required, the machine must be registered, and the machine must be in compliance with applicable regulations.
2. Special Flight Operation Certificates (SFOC)
Applies to all operations not covered by Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
U.S.A.
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) are enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). RPAS regulations in USA and Canada were developed jointly along with other nations. Transport Canada (TC) and the FAA have agreed to collaborate for the foreseeable future in the area of aviation safety, with a specific focus on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the United States and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Canada.
FULCRUMAIR HAS:
CANADA:
The ability to fly the E2500 under Part 9 anywhere in the Canada (subject to some restrictions).
Approval to fly the E7500 with slung loads under an SFOC, anywhere in the Canada (subject to some restrictions).
SFOC applications are being prepared to submit for BVLOS approval for the E2500 for two specific applications. Additional applications will be filed in the upcoming months.
USA:
FulcrumAir has the ability to fly the E2500 VLOS in the United States under Part 107 of the FAR.
FulcrumAir is actively pursuing a waiver to fly the E7500 VLOS above 55 lbs in United States.
COMMON TERMS USED IN THE INDUSTRY:
BVLOS – means Beyond Visual Line of Sight, meaning the aircraft can not be seen with the human eye, for example behind a building or over a hill
VLOS – Visual Line of Sight, meaning the aircraft is within sight of the pilot.
EVLOS – Extended Visual Line of Sight, meaning once the aircraft is out of sight of the pilot, it is being observed by a visual observer and this person is in radio contact with the pilot.