By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 23 Dec 25 The Global Drone Universe 1. The "DJI Ban" Becomes Reality The biggest news of the week—and perhaps the year—dropped on December 22, 2025 . The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially added foreign-made drones and their critical components to its "Covered List." The Impact:  This effectively bans the import and sale of new models from Chinese manufacturers like DJI  and Autel  in the United States. The

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 22 Dec 25 The drone industry is entering its most significant period of hardware and software integration to date. For pilots in the UK—and those watching from Canada—2026 is the starting line for a major regulatory overhaul. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is replacing simple weight categories with a sophisticated Class Marking  and Direct Remote ID (RID)  framework. While these rules are UK-specific, they provide a road

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 19 Dec 2025 If you have ever looked up at a drone buzzing overhead and thought, "Can I actually make a living doing that?" you are not alone. For a long time, the answer was a hesitant "maybe," reserved for a few niche photographers. But in 2025? The answer is a resounding YES. The Canadian drone industry has matured from a "cool gadget" phase into a critical industrial tool. You are not just destined to film weddings (unless y

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 19 Dec 25 If you fly a drone in Canada—whether for commercial inspections, filming, or advanced BVLOS operations—you need to keep your eyes on the horizon. While most of the chatter regarding airspace regulations usually comes from Transport Canada, a new study by NAV CANADA  could fundamentally reshape the low-level airspace we share with manned aviation. NAV CANADA is currently conducting its Level of Service Study (2025 Nati

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 19 Dec 25 Transitioning from military service to civilian life is about finding a new mission—one that leverages your discipline, technical aptitude, and precision. One of the most exciting and rapidly growing industries for Canadian Veterans today is the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)  sector. Whether you want to fly commercially in urban environments or take on complex missions like Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLO

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 19 Dec 2025 Your journey to becoming a professional drone pilot in Canada has likely led you to a confusing intersection of terminology: Advanced Operations  vs. Level 1 Complex Operations . While they sound similar, they are two distinct tiers of certification with different study paths, exam requirements, and Transport Canada (TC) publications (TPs). This guide clears up the confusion, breaks down exactly what you need to stu

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 18 Dec 25 [Your Name/Organization] There is a dangerous paradox in the modern drone industry. You can walk into a big-box store, buy a high-performance aircraft for a few hundred dollars, and fly it with an interface that looks like a video game. It feels like play. But when we view a 25kg aircraft—or even a sub-250g micro-drone—through a "Toy Filter," we invite disaster. We start to view safety procedures as "overkill" and che

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, December 17, 2025 Introduction We are writing today to share a significant update directly from the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC). Transport Canada has officially announced that the Third Edition of Annex 19 – Safety Management  has been adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council. For the broader aviation community, this is a procedural update. However, for Canadian RPAS pilo

By:  Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 17 Dec 25 If you are a Canadian RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) pilot planning to travel to Europe with your drone, you are likely aware that the rules are different across the Atlantic. However, one specific document—and a tiny label on your drone—has become the golden ticket for flying legally and freely in the EU: the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) . Here is what this information is, why it is critical for your

The Canadian drone industry is maturing rapidly. As operations become more complex—moving beyond simple visual line-of-sight (VLOS) flights into advanced and complex missions—the margin for error shrinks. While technical skills are crucial, history in manned aviation tells us that the human element is often the weakest link in the safety chain. This article outlines a comprehensive Train the Trainer  program designed specifically for Canadian RPAS operators. Based on proven a

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 17 Dec 25 You have the right radios for complex operations. Now, you need the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to satisfy regulators and ensure safety. Here are sample templates for your Operations Manual. In our previous article, we explored the evolution of RPAS communication hardware—from simple full-duplex headsets for VLOS to hybrid Cellular/UHF radios for BVLOS and Level 1 Complex Operations. But acquiring the gear is

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 16 Dec 2025 Check-Check. Do you read me? Good communication is the backbone of safe aviation, and it is no different for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Whether you are flying a basic operation with a helper 50 feet away, or a complex Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) mission under the new Level 1 Complex Operations (L1CO) certificate where your observer is 2 miles away, the link between the Pilot in Command (PIC) a

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks: 15 Dec 25 A pilot is required to cease operations immediately following any incident or accident. If you operate a drone under CARs Part IX  (small RPAS, 250g–25kg), you already know the importance of flying safely. But when things go wrong, do you know exactly what to do? Many pilots are confused about whether to call Transport Canada (TC) or the Transportation Safety Board (TSB)—or if they need to call anyone at all. This gui

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 15 December 2025 Introduction: The Shift to Safety Culture In the rapidly evolving landscape of Canadian drone operations, checking boxes is no longer enough. Whether you are conducting basic VLOS inspections or preparing for complex BVLOS delivery routes, the difference between a grounded fleet and a successful mission often comes down to one thing: Safety Management Sy

By [Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks: 15 December 2025] The rules of engagement for drones in North America just shifted dramatically. While hobbyists and commercial pilots have been focused on staying compliant with registration and flight path rules, a massive legislative change in the United States is about to deputize thousands of local officers with the power to take drones down. A recent report from CUAS Hub  highlights a pivotal inclusion in the U.S. Nationa

By:  Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, December 14, 2025 To:   The Honourable Steven MacKinnon Minister of Transport), The Honourable Mélanie Joly Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development) CC: The Minister of National Defence, The Prime Minister of Canada Imagine a search for a missing child in dense woodland. The clock is ticking, and the temperature is dropping. A volunteer Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) team launches a thermal-equipped drone

By [Colonel Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks: 14 December 2025] The vast, rugged wilderness of Canada is a point of national pride. It is also one of the most challenging environments on earth for first responders. From the dense, towering coastal forests of British Columbia to the freezing, snow-filled ravines of Northern Ontario, traditional ground searches can take days—time that missing persons often don’t have. Much like our neighbors to the south, Canadian agencies are tur

Date:  December 14, 2025 Category:  RPAS Regs / Safety News by: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks For years, Canadian DJI pilots have operated with a digital safety net. If you tried to take off near Pearson International, a military base like CFB Trenton, or near an active wildfire, your drone likely refused to leave the ground. That era is officially over. In a major policy shift that began in Europe and reached full global implementation—including Canada—as of la

In the modern airspace, drones are becoming ubiquitous, from delivering packages to conducting military surveillance. But as we fill the skies with autonomous vehicles, a sophisticated threat has emerged that doesn't just stop drones—it hijacks them. This is Navigation Spoofing , a technique that, as the attached infographic illustrates, is essentially "making a drone think it's somewhere else." While "jamming" simply blasts noise to block a signal, spoofing is a far more ele

Welcome back to your weekly aerial update.  It’s been a landmark week for the industry, arguably one of the most significant of 2025. We have massive hardware drops from the global leader, and here in Canada, the regulatory landscape has finally shifted to unlock the true potential of the skies. Here is everything you need to know from the drone world this week. International News 1. Heavy Lifting: DJI Unveils the FlyCart 100 (FC100) Just as we thought the delivery sector was