Three days after a commercial passenger plane had a close encounter with a drone in Winnipeg airspace, the federal transport ministry launched a drone safety campaign in Ottawa.
Minister of Transport Marc Garneau kicked off the ‘No Drone Zone’ national safety campaign which reminds drone or unmanned aerial vehicle operators to only use their aircrafts in approved zones.
“As anybody could tell you, the damage would likely be worse than a bird strike and the outcome could be tragic,” he said. “While it's difficult to control where birds fly, it's entirely possible for us to control where drones are used in order to keep our air space safe.”
Garneau also re-announced the government’s intention to bring forward new regulations for drones, which could include drone categories and simplify the registration process for operators.
“There are a growing number of incidents where drones are flying too close to airports and aircraft,” said Garneau.
“In 2014, Transport Canada investigated 61 incidents. Last year, we investigated 96 incidents and this year, we expect those numbers to rise again.”
Winnipeg police said a passenger plane had a close encounter with a drone near the Winnipeg airport Saturday afternoon.
NAV CANADA employees working at James Richardson International Airport contacted police after a pilot saw the drone near the aircraft while it was in flight.
Police said the passenger plane was about 900 metres high when the drone was observed about 25 metres away from it.
Officers searched the areas where the drone was believed to have come from, but they were not able to locate it or the person operating it.
Police said the plane was able to land without incident.
They are reminding members of the public that a significant portion of Winnipeg is controlled airspace, which means commercial unmanned air vehicle operators must be in possession of a Special Flight Operations Certificate.
Police are asking anyone with information to call them at 204-986-622 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.
Aviation expert David Duval, who works at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business, said Monday drones being launched from backyards are a big concern.
“Any object that can come into contact or has the potential to come into contact with an operating aircraft is very, very dangerous,” he said.
“The landing or takeoff phase in the flight is critical and if it hits another object it can affect how the aircraft operates.”
The national safety campaign is using the hashtag #NoDroneZone to spread awareness social media.
More information on safe drone use is available at Transport Canada’s website.
