Hi Don. Just a small comment that is very important and appreciated in all of your very informative and professional video. I personally really appreciate the calm and collected fashion you use to address your audience. Almost all the video I can find on the Net have what seem to be overexcited, loud and very rapid succession of words that are not always efficient in a technically sound description of the matter discussed. I suspect that the audio is sometimes compressed (accelerated), just like the TV or radio commercial. It is not your case and I find it very enjoyable to listen. You have the ability to transmit the information in a very efficient, respectful (non agressive) manner and it is conducive to a relaxed state of mind vs what seem to be cramming many words (not all useful) in the least amount of time. This may not be much but I appreciate your professional work and I am always looking forward to your next video. Great job mate, keep it up!
Roger, thank you so much for the great feedback...much appreciated. I work really hard to make the material digestible and understandable...there is often SO much to pass along...so it's great to hear that my approach is working.
@@DonJoyce Sometimes I need to have a redbull before watching your videos. It's not because they're boring - they're NOT! It's because your tone and pace are soooo soothing. :) You do an amazing job of taking the complex subjects and presenting them in a straightforward way. Simplifying without dumbing down - that's a real talent.
@@DonJoyce In mentioning the speed of the video, to speed up the video, look for the 'gear' icon on the bottom right of the screen beneath where the video location red line is and select 'Playback Speed'. Note that the video may be sped up to 2x faster or slowed down to .2 x to allow for multi graphic absorption and detailed analysis to soak in. Dragging that little red dot may also help to rewind or skip certain sections. Interestingly, Don is still understandable at 1.5 to 2x normal speed. My compliments, Don!
@@DonJoyce thanks Don, will get the app for sure. I passed the advanced exam so Im preparing for my review, I paid $200 for a 4 hour flight review preparation but it wasnt great. I will contact someone from your list. Thanks a lot!
Good information Don and well presented as usual! The Miramichi location looks like it's more trouble than it's worth to fly. The proximity to the airport does not allow for basic operation. As an advanced pilot, I'd first contact the airport to determine if they would allow flight here at all. If it were a commercial job, I'd be charging a premium for a flight like this. Parking seems to be on the outer perimeter so flight would be best in the middle of the complex to avoid pedestrian and vehicle traffic (it's also the prettier view). Take off and landing would be best from the southeast corner of the site (isolated). Wires are on the east and west sides of the site so staying in the middle would be an advantage also.
Don. I want to thank you for all of the content you create and the occasional feedback you’ve provided. Today, Milestone 3 accomplished. Passed my Flight Check and now I’m Advanced Certified! Thanks Don!!!
Hi Don - that was a fun exercise! Class G; lots of wires; notify people in the building what to expect and approx time of filming. A higher aerial view would help mitigate the bystander issue as well and give a different perspective.
Excellent information as always! This is going to be a great help when I book for my flight review. Thanks! By the way, the last syllable of Miramichi sounds like 'she', not 'chi'. :) 1) - Class C - Certified airport is VERY nearby. 2) - Power lines - hydro right-of-way at entry road, at south east end long the north-east side of the development. 3) - Send out a flyer announcing free food at McDonalds. Seriously, though, knock on a few doors on either side of the specific building. Let the occupants know that you are doing the shoot and ask them to either stay inside for the 15 minutes you'll need, or invite them to come out and watch - tell them the risks and invite them to be participants, rather than bystanders, maybe even get a group picture. So many ways that you could avoid the bystanders problem.
Thanks Kevin. Keep chanting the words Air, Ground, Weather, People and you'll be able to conduct a Site Survey quite efficiently! Good luck with your Flight Review!
Aha...now I see your answers to the challenge! On item 1, however, it is NOT class C airspace. Despite the proximity of the certified airport, it does not in fact have any controlled airspace....it is Class G! Good spotting of the hydro lines, and great ideas for bystander handling!
@@DonJoyce Drone Pilot Canada app shows it as NFZ for Basic ops. The NRC drone site selection tool shows the same. I can't figure out how the area is Class G. Please enlighten. 🙂
Hi Don, I tried to find the answers to your challenge. This location is within a certified airport in class G airspace. Advanced drone pilot can fly there without authorization, but basic drone pilots cannot fly in this area. 2. There are power lines, and cable lines surrounding parts of the area. 3. To avoid bystanders, I would fly around the patch of houses, not above, preferably at a time when most people would be at work. The latter measure worked best in a pre-covid world. ;)
Great job, Laure!! One slight refinement: An advanced pilot flying near a certified airport in class G airspace DOES need to coordinate their flight with the airport operator. You are correct that no authorization is required, but the are still expected to attempt a congenial coordination.
Answers to your challenge at the end of your video, 1. Class G air space, there’s an airport a stone throw away! 2. There is an electric pilon nearby with cables running perpendicular to complex NW of site, there’s also some large trees, 3. As for bystanders I would send a notice so anyone in area is aware of drone taking real estate footage, roughly 120ft would be sufficient for footage.
Thanks for the excellent video and challenge. It's class C airspace as it is within the close vicinity of the Miramichi chatham airport. The ground hazard is the power line at the north-west side of the complex (even though a red car is definitely present). I would avoid bystanders by scheduling my operation during a time when most people are likely at work, or even early on a Sunday morning when people aren't getting up yet. A place like that is likely to have some traffic all the time as so many families live there. Ideally I'd hang out there for a week and find out when it's most quiet, but then I'd have to charge a lot of money to whoever wants those photos or footage. I'm sure they wouldn't mind 😃👍
Ha ha. Yes, be sure to paid by the hour. One catch: This is Class G airspace, even though it is close to Mirimichi Airport. CYCH is a certified airport, but does not have a Control Zone. I recommend you watch my Airports and Airspace video for clarification. ruclips.net/video/hAr0GQ86lLA/видео.html
Thank you for letting us see this precious video👍 I hope your channel will develop gradually and become a very big channel, always having good luck with your channel. I like your videos. 🙌😍Joined You here. ✌️👍 I give praise and my genuine support to your channel.✌️
Thanks, Eric...it's a very complete video. BTW, the Drone Pilot Canada now offers a 'Site Survey' feature, and allows you to associate that with a flight record, for those cases where a site survey document is truly required...which is pretty rarely.
@@DonJoyce Thanks Don, but I am model airplane fixed wing, so I won't be moving around - flying sites for us are like hens teeth. Anyway I got the ARPAS basic certificate and a lot of that was down to your videos, thanks again. How about taking up fixed wing and expanding your scope ?
Don - Another informative video which will certainly assist those of use that Plan Our Flights and Fly our Plans. One thing Don. You mentioned your Drone Pilot Canada App in this Video was 2.2 . I cannot find the drop down the words Assess Airspace. Can we download an up grade to the App? Thank you Don
@@DonJoyce Thanks very much Don. I appreciate your work in improving the way we can plan our flights and to make it easier in order to complete the applications both for both Nav Canada and for an SFOC.
Thanks Don for the excellent video. Seems FAA will kick off the new ways, after June 2021, to provide very practical and convenient ways, to the common owner to have the certificate to fly. Do you think Canada will follow afterwards to easy the procedure?
The challenge is the Hydro lines across the back of the property, which wander from the trees right over to the edge of the parking lot. And low down, there are a couple of dumpsters to run into if you are flying there to avoid a shocking situation. You'd better confine your flight to the central loop road, which seems to be far enough from the nicer frontages to avoid people sunning themselves since flyovers aren't usually permitted in the airport's restricted airspace.
Noted, but not expressed in my original reply. Your videos wee a great help in my Basic piloting exam, wherein I scored 85%, and am encouraged to write the Advanced sooner rather than later. ;-) @@DonJoyce
Hi Don, I'm looking for some clarification on advanced operations. If you're in controlled airspace you need to apply with NAV Canada in order to get an RPAS Flight Authorization to conduct an advanced operation. Do you also need to get permission from an airport if you are within the 3NM of it or is that covered by the NAV Canada Flight Authorization? Does contacting the airport only apply to certified airports in class G airspace? To use Toronto as an example, flying near Mt Pleasant cemetery would only require the NAV Canada Flight Authorization, but to fly near Yonge and Dundas Square within 3NM of Billy Bishop airport, 1NM of St. Michael's Heliport and 1NM of Sick Kids Heliport (all in the same control zone) would that also require separate permissions from the airport and the 2 heliports? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Don, thanks for that video. Hope I'm not asking an already answered question but: If there is a hign risk of bystanders walking between the parking lot and the entry, why did you choose to take-off/land from the parking lot? What would've been a safer way to mitigate that, in your example? Thanks
Hey Eric! That's a really good question! Honestly, it was a fictitious flight example, but based upon a recent visit I had made to the bunker. I picked the launch site arbitrarily based upon where I had parked...then thought of the pedestrian traffic later as something to point out on the survey. I would have been much better to have suggested launching from north of the entrance. Good catch and good thinking!
Hi Don, great video! Helping me quite a bit in the preparation for my flight review! I have a question for you. If your flight review is happening at a MAAC (Model Aeronautics Association Canada) location, are you required to call for their approval to fly? Or since this a membership association, your flight reviewer has done this and you are not required to do so. or Are you required to apply for membership to the club to technically gain access to the area for the flight review? The location its self is a public park , with a separate building in the back of the park for radio flyers. Any insight you could give to this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance Don! Your content is an incredible study resource! Badia
Thanks for the kind feedback, Badia! Regarding the MAAC field, if it is a public park, then you do not need the MAAC organization's permission to fly there, although I recommend you consult your civic bylaws to ensure drone operations are permitted there. The MAAC club may have secured permission to operate at that location, and you would not be covered by such an allowance unless you are part of their club. I recommend you check the bylaws and talk to the MAAC club.
Hi Don! Final part of my advanced exam is coming this weekend, instructor assessment! I'm back into your detailed videos once again and absolutely loving the Drone Pilot Canada app! I have one question and I'm not sure where to direct it, hope it's okay to post here. When I try to Export Airspace Assessment, I get the message : "You do not have a default email account selected (in your device settings) or your device has restrictions." I'm on iOS14.6 on an iPhone 12 pro Default email is checked, set to Yahoo. I've also tried toggling to gMail as default. All settings in my email are toggled to on, and I don't see a setting in the app to link an email address - could you possibly advise me on what might be happening, or direct me to the app instructions? Thanks for your efforts and info! The app is bound to be an invaluable tool!
Glad you are loving Drone Pilot Canada, James! A few other people have reported the email issue, and the following steps fixed them up: How to set a default email account on your iPhone and iPad 1. Launch Settings from your Home screen. 2. Tap Mail. 3. Scroll down and tap Default Account. 4. Tap the account you would like to use as your default mail account. If you still have problems, contact me at DonDronesOn@gmail.com
Wow! Another excellent video Don. I'm learning so much from these. Thank you. Curious as to your background. How did you become so knowledgeable on this stuff?
Hi Don! Love your videos, going for my advanced and your helping me more than you could ever appreciate. I do have one question about parks and thought I would ask here. Can I fly my DJI Mini under 250 g in Banff? Drones are “prohibited”.... but does that include micro RPAS? Thanks 🙏
Yes, even sub250g drones are not allowed in National Parks without a permit. I would love to hear what happens if you actually politely ask permission though! (And I'm glad to hear my videos are helpful!)
@@DonJoyce According to albertaparks.ca recreational filming is prohibited. One could film commercially IF they have minimum $2,000,000 liability insurance, and SFOC, $1,000 deposit for "site clean up and restoration" and much more. I am going to apply for permission to fly my sub250 without all the hoops and see what they say :)
Hey! Thanks so much for this. Loving the app it's amazing! I'm from Ottawa coincidently so I'm following along with your Diefenbunker demonstration but I don't seem to have the Assess Airspace button shown at 27:35 has it moved? I know this video is from 2020 but any help would be great! Thanks!
Hey Don... fantastic video! It sure filled a void for me! One question though... you mention checking Kp index during a survey... but you left out the how. So how does one check this? Thanks in advance. John
Thanks John! You're right, I didn't mention where to find the Kp index! The first place, of course, is the Drone Pilot Canada app...it's part of the regular weather info. The other place is spaceweather.com .
@@DonJoyce Hey Don, I've been using a different app to get the Kp value, but if I can get it all in the Drone Pilot Canada app, that's less clicking.... but I'm missing something... I can't see in the app where to pull up the weather/Kp info.
@@MapleGoodness When you hit 'New Flight', there is a weather button. It displays a wide variety of weather info, including the Kp. Also, you will be given a warning if the Kp is over 5, even if you don't tap the weather button. BTW, all the weather data is also stored with your Flight Log.
I always recommend preparing your "package" for a flight review, sending it in advance to the reviewer. Printing is a good idea to save time and reduce the risk of screwing up!
Hi Austin. You definitely need to prepare a full site survey in advance. That said, there are some elements that should be refreshed or re-checked at the time of the flight (NOTAMs, ground hazards only visible 'in person', weather (especially micro climate potentially), and of course bystander locations).
Hi Don, question about the NOTAMS, I looked at some of them but I never seen a flight restriction. As you said, it is not often drone that is mentioned in the text. Any other example where it can be found in the notams for flight restriction. just to be sure if I don't see a drone, doesn't mean we can fly. Please advise. or maybe another Notams video :) Thank you !
Hi there. There are many notams that apply to "all acft ", meaning all aircraft including drones. Examples are forest fires and airshows. There are key words such as "section 5.1" that usually precede these all inclusive restrictions. We are working on a new feature in Drone Pilot Canada to display these on the map, and an accompanying video.
@@DonJoyce I knew it existed, it was the worst kept secret even when they built it. But it was amazing to actually see the formerly ultra secret place.
Thanks for the detailed videos! 11:29 - Many Canadian cities have most of their land under controlled airspace of some kind. Assuming this situation, what happens if I just want to fly my $50 non-FPV foam propeller park flyer plane that is over 250-grams in weight at my local empty park early morning? I will need to (a) pass advanced online exam (b) pass a flight review with my park flyer foam plane -- I hope the instructor don't ask me to hover my plane! (c) register my foam plane with NavCan/NavDrone (d) do a site survey of my empty park (e) use the NavCan drone website/app to request a flight plan before I fly. But -- wait -- actually, after all that, I can *not* even fly my foam plane LOS (non-FPV) at all at my park because (1) it's still considered an RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) and (2) my $50 foam parker flyer plane isn't on Transport Canada's accepted drone list.
morning Don! may i make a suggestion to your app?! i really like the lay out but i also like to manually write things down. so my suggestion is for all of your steps and checks, it would be AWSOME if you added a print page option!! currently i’m typing out your lists so i can print out. again really like it but it would be nice for a print page button so we can put in a binder 🤙🤙 hope all is well.
Thanks Dennis! If you export the checklists via hamburger menu / data management/ export checklists, you'll be able to print them easily. Let me know if that helps via dondroneson@gmail.com.
Thank you Don. On the Drone pilot Canada app it shows Basic pilot no fly zone. This is a Class G airspace, should Basic pilot be allowed to fly (drone)?
If flying near an airport (within 5km) I need to obtain NAV Canada RPAS authorization through their website application AND call the airport on the day I'm flying? Or is calling the airport not necessary if I have the NAV Canada authorization? Taking the flight review exam soon and not sure wether both steps are required. If I need to call the airport, can I call several days in advance? Thanks for the video.
In the US it is legal to fly over someone’s property or into a state or federal park as long as your operation point (where you stand and takeoff/land is outside the area restricted. Is that similar in Canada?
It is similar in Canada, with additional stipulations regarding privacy and disturbing wildlife. But essentially, the landowner has no rights over the airspace.
Hi Don, unfortunately in the app, when I check the airspace after tapping on the search target around heritage road - or even right on the airport, I get that its class G. The pop up, when I tapped there, showed the certified airport but not its class.
Hi Greg! Yes, you are correct that it is a Certified Airport and yet the airspace is Class G. One of the points of this exercise was to demonstrate that aerodrome type (Registered vs Certified) and airspace class are independent, and you can have a Certified Airport in Class G airspace! Please watch my Airspace and Aerodromes videos for a complete explanation: ruclips.net/video/hAr0GQ86lLA/видео.html
@@DonJoyce ah I see. I had thought that was true of aérodromes but I obviously I missed the something there. Thanks for the explanation! I’ll check the video.
Hi there. Many people find that my videos, which cover all the required knowledge areas, are quite sufficient to pass either the Basic or Advanced exam. Here's a Training Roadmap to help guide you through the videos: www.pocketwatchpurveyor.com/collections/drone-study-guides/products/dons-rpas-training-roadmap . I offer a list of Flight Reviewers in the Drone Pilot Canada app, available on both iOS and Android. The Flight Reviewers in the app give 5-20% discounts to candidates who mention they found them in the app!
How about instead of (or in addition to) a video, a visual display of drone applicable notam zones right on the Drone Pilot Canada map?! Coming soon! With some decoding even...
NOTAMs are definitely tricky to fully decode, but the ones affecting drones are usually fairly easy to spot: first, they will be associated with a FIR Centre rather than a 'regular' aerodrome, and crucial words like 'forest fire' or 'airshow' will be spelled out fully. Their location is given with lat/long, but normally they also reference the nearest aerodrome ("AD") so you will be able to relate that to your area of operation. Hope that helps for now!
Hi Don. Just a small comment that is very important and appreciated in all of your very informative and professional video.
I personally really appreciate the calm and collected fashion you use to address your audience. Almost all the video I can find on the Net have what seem to be overexcited, loud and very rapid succession of words that are not always efficient in a technically sound description of the matter discussed. I suspect that the audio is sometimes compressed (accelerated), just like the TV or radio commercial. It is not your case and I find it very enjoyable to listen. You have the ability to transmit the information in a very efficient, respectful (non agressive) manner and it is conducive to a relaxed state of mind vs what seem to be cramming many words (not all useful) in the least amount of time.
This may not be much but I appreciate your professional work and I am always looking forward to your next video. Great job mate, keep it up!
Roger, thank you so much for the great feedback...much appreciated. I work really hard to make the material digestible and understandable...there is often SO much to pass along...so it's great to hear that my approach is working.
@@DonJoyce Sometimes I need to have a redbull before watching your videos. It's not because they're boring - they're NOT! It's because your tone and pace are soooo soothing. :) You do an amazing job of taking the complex subjects and presenting them in a straightforward way. Simplifying without dumbing down - that's a real talent.
@@DonJoyce
In mentioning the speed of the video, to speed up the video, look for the 'gear' icon on the bottom right of the screen beneath where the video location red line is and select 'Playback Speed'. Note that the video may be sped up to 2x faster or slowed down to .2 x to allow for multi graphic absorption and detailed analysis to soak in.
Dragging that little red dot may also help to rewind or skip certain sections.
Interestingly, Don is still understandable at 1.5 to 2x normal speed. My compliments, Don!
Great job as always Don. Completely comprehensive as always. Here supporting you brother! 🇨🇦
Thank you, Doug! Glad you enjoyed!
you're a gem for making all these videos Don!
Thank you, Elijah! Kind words!
Excellent presentation Don. Thank you for all you do for droners.
Thank you, CeCe! I hope you give the challenge a try!
@@DonJoyce thanks Don, will get the app for sure. I passed the advanced exam so Im preparing for my review, I paid $200 for a 4 hour flight review preparation but it wasnt great. I will contact someone from your list. Thanks a lot!
Your content is very informative and easy to follow. Thanks for your wonderful work!!
Thank you! Much appreciated!
Your Videos are pretty much like a Drone Encyclopedia! Thanks Don.
Thank you!
Good information Don and well presented as usual!
The Miramichi location looks like it's more trouble than it's worth to fly. The proximity to the airport does not allow for basic operation. As an advanced pilot, I'd first contact the airport to determine if they would allow flight here at all. If it were a commercial job, I'd be charging a premium for a flight like this. Parking seems to be on the outer perimeter so flight would be best in the middle of the complex to avoid pedestrian and vehicle traffic (it's also the prettier view). Take off and landing would be best from the southeast corner of the site (isolated). Wires are on the east and west sides of the site so staying in the middle would be an advantage also.
Thanks Gary, and good analysis of the mission! I knew you would spot the wires...eventually LOL. What about the class of airspace?
@@DonJoyce Even though it's a certified airport, it appears to be Class G airspace on the charts.
@@BrantAerials That is correct! People are often confused by this...but you nailed it.
Don. I want to thank you for all of the content you create and the occasional feedback you’ve provided.
Today, Milestone 3 accomplished. Passed my Flight Check and now I’m Advanced Certified! Thanks Don!!!
Fantastic, Dean! Congratulations on achieving your Advanced Certification!!!!
Hi Don - that was a fun exercise! Class G; lots of wires; notify people in the building what to expect and approx time of filming. A higher aerial view would help mitigate the bystander issue as well and give a different perspective.
Thanks! Glad it was fun! Good analysis. I would suggest caution due to the proximity of the airport, despite being in Class G.
Excellent information as always! This is going to be a great help when I book for my flight review. Thanks! By the way, the last syllable of Miramichi sounds like 'she', not 'chi'. :)
1) - Class C - Certified airport is VERY nearby.
2) - Power lines - hydro right-of-way at entry road, at south east end long the north-east side of the development.
3) - Send out a flyer announcing free food at McDonalds. Seriously, though, knock on a few doors on either side of the specific building. Let the occupants know that you are doing the shoot and ask them to either stay inside for the 15 minutes you'll need, or invite them to come out and watch - tell them the risks and invite them to be participants, rather than bystanders, maybe even get a group picture. So many ways that you could avoid the bystanders problem.
Thanks Kevin. Keep chanting the words Air, Ground, Weather, People and you'll be able to conduct a Site Survey quite efficiently! Good luck with your Flight Review!
@@DonJoyce Thanks Don! I edited a bit after your comment - to add my answers.
Aha...now I see your answers to the challenge! On item 1, however, it is NOT class C airspace. Despite the proximity of the certified airport, it does not in fact have any controlled airspace....it is Class G! Good spotting of the hydro lines, and great ideas for bystander handling!
@@DonJoyce I guess I'd better look at the CFS.
@@DonJoyce Drone Pilot Canada app shows it as NFZ for Basic ops. The NRC drone site selection tool shows the same. I can't figure out how the area is Class G. Please enlighten. 🙂
Hi Don, I tried to find the answers to your challenge. This location is within a certified airport in class G airspace. Advanced drone pilot can fly there without authorization, but basic drone pilots cannot fly in this area. 2. There are power lines, and cable lines surrounding parts of the area. 3. To avoid bystanders, I would fly around the patch of houses, not above, preferably at a time when most people would be at work. The latter measure worked best in a pre-covid world. ;)
Great job, Laure!! One slight refinement: An advanced pilot flying near a certified airport in class G airspace DOES need to coordinate their flight with the airport operator. You are correct that no authorization is required, but the are still expected to attempt a congenial coordination.
@@DonJoyce Thank you for the clarification.
@@DonJoyce How would you do that coordination ?
@@Kai-nv4cg call the airport and agree on a safe time and maximum altitude.
@@DonJoyce Thanks!
Answers to your challenge at the end of your video, 1. Class G air space, there’s an airport a stone throw away! 2. There is an electric pilon nearby with cables running perpendicular to complex NW of site, there’s also some large trees, 3. As for bystanders I would send a notice so anyone in area is aware of drone taking real estate footage, roughly 120ft would be sufficient for footage.
Correct! Full marks!
Thanks for the excellent video and challenge. It's class C airspace as it is within the close vicinity of the Miramichi chatham airport. The ground hazard is the power line at the north-west side of the complex (even though a red car is definitely present). I would avoid bystanders by scheduling my operation during a time when most people are likely at work, or even early on a Sunday morning when people aren't getting up yet. A place like that is likely to have some traffic all the time as so many families live there. Ideally I'd hang out there for a week and find out when it's most quiet, but then I'd have to charge a lot of money to whoever wants those photos or footage. I'm sure they wouldn't mind 😃👍
Ha ha. Yes, be sure to paid by the hour. One catch: This is Class G airspace, even though it is close to Mirimichi Airport. CYCH is a certified airport, but does not have a Control Zone. I recommend you watch my Airports and Airspace video for clarification. ruclips.net/video/hAr0GQ86lLA/видео.html
@@DonJoyce Wow, interesting. thank you for clarifying.
Thank you for letting us see this precious video👍 I hope your channel will develop gradually and become a very big channel, always having good luck with your channel. I like your videos. 🙌😍Joined You here.
✌️👍
I give praise and my genuine support to your channel.✌️
Thank you!
Thank you Don for all the amazing content you post and for the best drone app out there. I just passed my flight review!!!
Congratulations on becoming a fully certified Advanced drone pilot, Mike! Glad my stuff helped!
Getting ready to get my advanced certification and your videos have proved invaluable!
Good luck
Hi Don! Great Video and VERY Detailed thank you! you covered everything I went thru on my flight review last week!
Thanks, Gerald! Looks like the video hit the mark!
Well done Don. An excellent very informative detailed guide to drone site surveys. Full view and like. Thank you for sharing my friend.
Thanks, Dave! Glad you enjoyed it!
Another great video in an outstanding series of enormous help to the community...thank you..
Thank you, Mike. I think this one is really important for people to grasp.
Thanks for all the great info. Has cleared up a few of the questioned I have pondered over the past monthS.
Great! Thanks, Stew...I'm glad to hear you found it helpful!
Great Don, thanks, just what I needed. Thanks for putting this together, it must have taken a lot of work.
Thanks, Eric...it's a very complete video. BTW, the Drone Pilot Canada now offers a 'Site Survey' feature, and allows you to associate that with a flight record, for those cases where a site survey document is truly required...which is pretty rarely.
@@DonJoyce Thanks Don, but I am model airplane fixed wing, so I won't be moving around - flying sites for us are like hens teeth. Anyway I got the ARPAS basic certificate and a lot of that was down to your videos, thanks again. How about taking up fixed wing and expanding your scope ?
@@ericwillis777 OMG...don't tempt me! LOL
Very informative. Thanks for putting it together, Dan.
Glad you found it helpful, Paul!
Great stuff Don!
Your fellow Ottawa Friend!
Thanks for helping me pass my Advanced Drone License! 🔥🙏
Hey fellow Ottawan! Congratulations on achieving your Advanced! Safe and happy flying!
Thank you so much Don! These videos are so useful
Thanks! I'm glad you are finding them helpful!!
Don - Another informative video which will certainly assist those of use that Plan Our Flights and Fly our Plans. One thing Don. You mentioned your Drone Pilot Canada App in this Video was 2.2 . I cannot find the drop down the words Assess Airspace. Can we download an up grade to the App? Thank you Don
Thank you, Paul! Drone Pilot Canada v2.2 will be released in early October, and will include the Assess Airspace function.
@@DonJoyce Thanks very much Don. I appreciate your work in improving the way we can plan our flights and to make it easier in order to complete the applications both for both Nav Canada and for an SFOC.
Thanks Don for the excellent video. Seems FAA will kick off the new ways, after June 2021, to provide very practical and convenient ways, to the common owner to have the certificate to fly. Do you think Canada will follow afterwards to easy the procedure?
Thanks, Jin! Transport Canada seems to have it's own direction in mind, but I guess we'll see.
The challenge is the Hydro lines across the back of the property, which wander from the trees right over to the edge of the parking lot. And low down, there are a couple of dumpsters to run into if you are flying there to avoid a shocking situation. You'd better confine your flight to the central loop road, which seems to be far enough from the nicer frontages to avoid people sunning themselves since flyovers aren't usually permitted in the airport's restricted airspace.
Note also that this area is within the NFZ for Basic Operations, but an Advanced pilot could fly there.
Noted, but not expressed in my original reply. Your videos wee a great help in my Basic piloting exam, wherein I scored 85%, and am encouraged to write the Advanced sooner rather than later. ;-)
@@DonJoyce
Hi Don, I'm looking for some clarification on advanced operations. If you're in controlled airspace you need to apply with NAV Canada in order to get an RPAS Flight Authorization to conduct an advanced operation. Do you also need to get permission from an airport if you are within the 3NM of it or is that covered by the NAV Canada Flight Authorization? Does contacting the airport only apply to certified airports in class G airspace?
To use Toronto as an example, flying near Mt Pleasant cemetery would only require the NAV Canada Flight Authorization, but to fly near Yonge and Dundas Square within 3NM of Billy Bishop airport, 1NM of St. Michael's Heliport and 1NM of Sick Kids Heliport (all in the same control zone) would that also require separate permissions from the airport and the 2 heliports?
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Yes you require both airport permission and NAV CANADA flight authorization.
Hey Don, I'm interested in your app. Is your app up to date? How often are you updating the info on it?
Drone Pilot Canada is kept up to date with the regular 56-day updates to the CFS and DAH.
Yes, the app is current and amazing to use, saves SO much work.
@@PictureChasers can I just use the site surgery generated from the app for my flight review?
@@ryidgilani8987 I am for my review on Saturday, it's also what my reviewer uses personally. Contact your reviewer in advance and mention the app.
Hi Don, thanks for that video. Hope I'm not asking an already answered question but: If there is a hign risk of bystanders walking between the parking lot and the entry, why did you choose to take-off/land from the parking lot? What would've been a safer way to mitigate that, in your example? Thanks
Hey Eric! That's a really good question! Honestly, it was a fictitious flight example, but based upon a recent visit I had made to the bunker. I picked the launch site arbitrarily based upon where I had parked...then thought of the pedestrian traffic later as something to point out on the survey. I would have been much better to have suggested launching from north of the entrance. Good catch and good thinking!
Hi Don, great video! Helping me quite a bit in the preparation for my flight review!
I have a question for you.
If your flight review is happening at a MAAC (Model Aeronautics Association Canada) location, are you required to call for their approval to fly? Or since this a membership association, your flight reviewer has done this and you are not required to do so.
or
Are you required to apply for membership to the club to technically gain access to the area for the flight review?
The location its self is a public park , with a separate building in the back of the park for radio flyers.
Any insight you could give to this would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance Don! Your content is an incredible study resource!
Badia
Thanks for the kind feedback, Badia! Regarding the MAAC field, if it is a public park, then you do not need the MAAC organization's permission to fly there, although I recommend you consult your civic bylaws to ensure drone operations are permitted there. The MAAC club may have secured permission to operate at that location, and you would not be covered by such an allowance unless you are part of their club. I recommend you check the bylaws and talk to the MAAC club.
@@DonJoyce Thank you Don! I will have a look at those bylaws and contact the MAAC facility!
Hi Don! Final part of my advanced exam is coming this weekend, instructor assessment! I'm back into your detailed videos once again and absolutely loving the Drone Pilot Canada app!
I have one question and I'm not sure where to direct it, hope it's okay to post here.
When I try to Export Airspace Assessment, I get the message : "You do not have a default email account selected (in your device settings) or your device has restrictions."
I'm on iOS14.6 on an iPhone 12 pro
Default email is checked, set to Yahoo. I've also tried toggling to gMail as default.
All settings in my email are toggled to on, and I don't see a setting in the app to link an email address - could you possibly advise me on what might be happening, or direct me to the app instructions?
Thanks for your efforts and info! The app is bound to be an invaluable tool!
Glad you are loving Drone Pilot Canada, James! A few other people have reported the email issue, and the following steps fixed them up:
How to set a default email account on your iPhone and iPad
1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap Mail.
3. Scroll down and tap Default Account.
4. Tap the account you would like to use as your default mail account.
If you still have problems, contact me at DonDronesOn@gmail.com
@@DonJoyce Thank you, Don - sent an email!
Wow! Another excellent video Don. I'm learning so much from these. Thank you. Curious as to your background. How did you become so knowledgeable on this stuff?
Thanks, Garfield! I'm an engineer and had an intense interest in paper airplanes as a kid... somehow the two have come together!
Hi Don! Love your videos, going for my advanced and your helping me more than you could ever appreciate. I do have one question about parks and thought I would ask here. Can I fly my DJI Mini under 250 g in Banff? Drones are “prohibited”.... but does that include micro RPAS? Thanks 🙏
Yes, even sub250g drones are not allowed in National Parks without a permit. I would love to hear what happens if you actually politely ask permission though! (And I'm glad to hear my videos are helpful!)
@@DonJoyce According to albertaparks.ca recreational filming is prohibited. One could film commercially IF they have minimum $2,000,000 liability insurance, and SFOC, $1,000 deposit for "site clean up and restoration" and much more. I am going to apply for permission to fly my sub250 without all the hoops and see what they say :)
Hey! Thanks so much for this. Loving the app it's amazing! I'm from Ottawa coincidently so I'm following along with your Diefenbunker demonstration but I don't seem to have the Assess Airspace button shown at 27:35 has it moved? I know this video is from 2020 but any help would be great! Thanks!
Oh never-mind I found it! There is an Airspace button now!
Great! I see you found it!
Hey Don... fantastic video! It sure filled a void for me!
One question though... you mention checking Kp index during a survey... but you left out the how. So how does one check this?
Thanks in advance.
John
Thanks John! You're right, I didn't mention where to find the Kp index! The first place, of course, is the Drone Pilot Canada app...it's part of the regular weather info. The other place is spaceweather.com .
@@DonJoyce Hey Don, I've been using a different app to get the Kp value, but if I can get it all in the Drone Pilot Canada app, that's less clicking.... but I'm missing something... I can't see in the app where to pull up the weather/Kp info.
@@MapleGoodness When you hit 'New Flight', there is a weather button. It displays a wide variety of weather info, including the Kp. Also, you will be given a warning if the Kp is over 5, even if you don't tap the weather button. BTW, all the weather data is also stored with your Flight Log.
@@DonJoyce Ahah! Got it! Thanks.
Hey Don. Can all this be done on your app or should we still print out everything and bring it to the flight review ?
I always recommend preparing your "package" for a flight review, sending it in advance to the reviewer. Printing is a good idea to save time and reduce the risk of screwing up!
For my flight review, should I prepare the sight survey partially or completely prior to arriving to the flight review?
Hi Austin. You definitely need to prepare a full site survey in advance. That said, there are some elements that should be refreshed or re-checked at the time of the flight (NOTAMs, ground hazards only visible 'in person', weather (especially micro climate potentially), and of course bystander locations).
@@DonJoyce Thanks Don!
Thanks Don, great video
Thanks, Al!
Hi Don, question about the NOTAMS, I looked at some of them but I never seen a flight restriction. As you said, it is not often drone that is mentioned in the text. Any other example where it can be found in the notams for flight restriction. just to be sure if I don't see a drone, doesn't mean we can fly. Please advise. or maybe another Notams video :) Thank you !
Hi there. There are many notams that apply to "all acft ", meaning all aircraft including drones. Examples are forest fires and airshows. There are key words such as "section 5.1" that usually precede these all inclusive restrictions. We are working on a new feature in Drone Pilot Canada to display these on the map, and an accompanying video.
@@DonJoyce fantastic thanks
LOL - I used to live on the other side of the highway from the Diefenbunker. Went there the first week it opened to the public.
Cool! That must have been strange to discover what you were living so close to!
@@DonJoyce I knew it existed, it was the worst kept secret even when they built it. But it was amazing to actually see the formerly ultra secret place.
Thanks for the detailed videos!
11:29 - Many Canadian cities have most of their land under controlled airspace of some kind. Assuming this situation, what happens if I just want to fly my $50 non-FPV foam propeller park flyer plane that is over 250-grams in weight at my local empty park early morning?
I will need to (a) pass advanced online exam (b) pass a flight review with my park flyer foam plane -- I hope the instructor don't ask me to hover my plane! (c) register my foam plane with NavCan/NavDrone (d) do a site survey of my empty park (e) use the NavCan drone website/app to request a flight plan before I fly.
But -- wait -- actually, after all that, I can *not* even fly my foam plane LOS (non-FPV) at all at my park because (1) it's still considered an RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) and (2) my $50 foam parker flyer plane isn't on Transport Canada's accepted drone list.
Yeah, I think you summed it pretty well, unfortunately.
Very good Information thanks for sharing big like
Thank you for watching and glad you enjoyed!
morning Don! may i make a suggestion to your app?! i really like the lay out but i also like to manually write things down. so my suggestion is for all of your steps and checks, it would be AWSOME if you added a print page option!! currently i’m typing out your lists so i can print out. again really like it but it would be nice for a print page button so we can put in a binder 🤙🤙 hope all is well.
Thanks Dennis! If you export the checklists via hamburger menu / data management/ export checklists, you'll be able to print them easily. Let me know if that helps via dondroneson@gmail.com.
@@DonJoyce appreciate the response and this is perfect! guess i just had to look a little deeper😅 thanks a lot this really helped me out
Thank you Don. On the Drone pilot Canada app it shows Basic pilot no fly zone. This is a Class G airspace, should Basic pilot be allowed to fly (drone)?
It is class G, BUT you are near the CYCH certified airport...so Basic Pilots CANNOT fly there!
Thank you very much for your answer.
If flying near an airport (within 5km) I need to obtain NAV Canada RPAS authorization through their website application AND call the airport on the day I'm flying? Or is calling the airport not necessary if I have the NAV Canada authorization? Taking the flight review exam soon and not sure wether both steps are required. If I need to call the airport, can I call several days in advance? Thanks for the video.
The latest guideline is that NAV Canada will do the coordination with airports in the control zones...so you don't need to call them.
@@DonJoyce Thats great news. Thank you for the quick response!
In the US it is legal to fly over someone’s property or into a state or federal park as long as your operation point (where you stand and takeoff/land is outside the area restricted. Is that similar in Canada?
It is similar in Canada, with additional stipulations regarding privacy and disturbing wildlife. But essentially, the landowner has no rights over the airspace.
@@DonJoyceI believe that you cannot fly over a Federal or Provincial Park even if your flight originated outside of those parks.
Hi Don, unfortunately in the app, when I check the airspace after tapping on the search target around heritage road - or even right on the airport, I get that its class G. The pop up, when I tapped there, showed the certified airport but not its class.
Hi Greg! Yes, you are correct that it is a Certified Airport and yet the airspace is Class G. One of the points of this exercise was to demonstrate that aerodrome type (Registered vs Certified) and airspace class are independent, and you can have a Certified Airport in Class G airspace! Please watch my Airspace and Aerodromes videos for a complete explanation: ruclips.net/video/hAr0GQ86lLA/видео.html
@@DonJoyce ah I see. I had thought that was true of aérodromes but I obviously I missed the something there. Thanks for the explanation! I’ll check the video.
You’ve about sold me on that app of yers
Well, you better make the leap! Lol
Hi Don, do you know a good drone training school or flight reviewer in Montreal?
Hi there. Many people find that my videos, which cover all the required knowledge areas, are quite sufficient to pass either the Basic or Advanced exam. Here's a Training Roadmap to help guide you through the videos: www.pocketwatchpurveyor.com/collections/drone-study-guides/products/dons-rpas-training-roadmap . I offer a list of Flight Reviewers in the Drone Pilot Canada app, available on both iOS and Android. The Flight Reviewers in the app give 5-20% discounts to candidates who mention they found them in the app!
Mira mish shee. :-)
Oh dear! I may have offended all the residents of Miramichi with my mispronunciation! Sorry!
@@DonJoyce I'm kind of thinking they are used to it. The emphasis is on the Shee by the way. So it could also be phonetically spell mira mi shee
And BTW it'll be Class G
Correct. Made slightly tricky by the presence of a certified aerodrome nearby.
Hi everyone, we need a video how to decode notams for drone operation.
How about instead of (or in addition to) a video, a visual display of drone applicable notam zones right on the Drone Pilot Canada map?! Coming soon! With some decoding even...
@@DonJoyce it will be amazing, thank you Don , i appreciate your fast response .
@@DonJoyce actually i have a flight review exam, and the part of notams is not clear enough for me .
NOTAMs are definitely tricky to fully decode, but the ones affecting drones are usually fairly easy to spot: first, they will be associated with a FIR Centre rather than a 'regular' aerodrome, and crucial words like 'forest fire' or 'airshow' will be spelled out fully. Their location is given with lat/long, but normally they also reference the nearest aerodrome ("AD") so you will be able to relate that to your area of operation. Hope that helps for now!
@@DonJoyce thank you very much for the information.
Diefenbunker:)
Yep. Real name for a very cool place...and piece of history.