Drone Group Asks Pilots to Contact Canadian Lawmakers

The Network of Drone Enthusiasts, NODE, is asking drone operators to lobby Canadian lawmakers for changes in Canada’s restrictive Interim Order on drone use.

The NODE is a grass-roots organization of pilots and manufacturers – the initial sponsor is DJI – dedicated to acting as a voice to ensure fair legislation.  While promoting safe and legal flight, the group makes members aware of pending legislation and provides information and tools for communicating with lawmakers.

Now the campaign is underway in Canada.  NODE tweeted today that over 2,100 people have already contacted Canadian lawmakers to ask for changes to the Interim Order enacted without warning this spring.

In March of this year, Canada’s Minister of Transport Marc Garneau announced strict drone laws, immediately effective.  The new ruling was a response to complaints about drone safety and reports of drones interfering with passenger aircraft.  The restrictions severely curtail drone activity, prohibiting flight under a number of conditions including:

The ruling was a surprise to the drone community, who were not given time to respond.

Now, NODE says it has “learned that the federal government is considering making changes to Transport Canada’s recent Interim Order on drone use.”

“As many of us know, this hastily issued order does little to promote safety, and improperly restricts your ability to fly safely and responsibly,” says the campaign announcement.

Candian drone operators can sign up to support the campaign here, where they will be given information to contact lawmakers.  The campaign emphasizes that the purpose is not to complain about the previous ruling but to encourage change based on operator input.