New Rules - Flying outside MAAC sanctioned clubs and events (REVISED)

[Michael O'Bree]

Further to a question from a WIMAC member as well as my own wish to fly at a location close to an uncontrolled aerodrome, I have researched the MAAC rules and TC Part IX regulations for specific scenarios.

The scenarios are:

1) Flying as a MAAC member at locations not sanctioned by MAAC

2) Flying close to an uncontrolled aerodrome

I also have researched how to unlock the GeoFencing in a DJI drone when the GeoFencing prevents take-off in an area where RPAS flight is allowed by the regulations.

I attach separate explanations for each of these three situations.

Let me know if you have any questions bearing in mind I have only researched these specific scenarios.

[Luke088]

Thank you very much Michael for this post! Great information.

I am now even more proud to be part of Wimac and MAAC !

Those documents clarify that when I will get my Solo wings, I will be able to fly at my brother in law location in Lac-aux-Sables on his small size land (175x325x350m triangle of 25,470squ foot or 274 000 sq meter) in rural zone without having to pass a Basic Drone exam. I check the interactive map at
https://cnrc.canada.ca/fr/outil-drone/
and no regulated airspace is near that area!

I see that MAAC suggests all member to write on the plane, our Name, MAAC# and the 800 number for MAAC. I would like to do it. Are all our members doing it?
I found this number: 1-855-756-MAAC (1-855-756-6222) Is this the good number to use, so I write the right one ??

And finally, a suggestion...
Do you think it would be possible to be lent a water access for a special Wimac On float event? Is this something possible?

Thank you again for the time you take to make the club a great place to practice our hobby safely.
Regards, Luc

[Michael O'Bree]

Thanks Luc.
Regarding the MAAC rules for marking information on members’ aircraft, all members should be doing it.
Regarding a WIMAC water access/float event, I am not aware of any such event since I have been a member (2015). However, if there is sufficient interest and someone who volunteers to organize it ( :) ) it may be possible. I know Richard Piche regularly flew on water close by before the floods - I suggest you speak to him.
Thank you very much Michael for this post! Great information.

I am now even more proud to be part of Wimac and MAAC !

Those documents clarify that when I will get my Solo wings, I will be able to fly at my brother in law location in Lac-aux-Sables on his small size land (175x325x350m triangle of 25,470squ foot or 274 000 sq meter) in rural zone without having to pass a Basic Drone exam. I check the interactive map at
https://cnrc.canada.ca/fr/outil-drone/
and no regulated airspace is near that area!

I see that MAAC suggests all member to write on the plane, our Name, MAAC# and the 800 number for MAAC. I would like to do it. Are all our members doing it?
I found this number: 1-855-756-MAAC (1-855-756-6222) Is this the good number to use, so I write the right one ??

And finally, a suggestion...
Do you think it would be possible to be lent a water access for a special Wimac On float event? Is this something possible?

Thank you again for the time you take to make the club a great place to practice our hobby safely.
Regards, Luc

[Michael O'Bree]

Luc -

Regarding your question “I found this number: 1-855-756-MAAC (1-855-756-6222) Is this the good number to use, so I write the right one ??” No - the correct MAAC number to mark on your planes is your MAAC membership number.

[Luke088]

I was referring to the document you posted saying to write:
Name
MAAC NUMBER (the personal number they give us)
And the MAAC 800 number...

[Michael O'Bree]

Luc -

You are right - I stand corrected - you read the document more carefully than I did. But if you have your MAAC #, MAAC's website address and your own home/cell phone number, you are covered - just to complicate matters, see below.

When we read the "Exemption Guidance Material" document provided by MAAC that I posted, even MAAC do not provide the full picture. In that document (Para. 11) they state "It is already a requirement for members to have their Name, MAAC# and the MAAC “800#” on, or within, their aircraft. Please ensure ongoing compliance with any new aircraft acquired."

However, when you look at MAAC's official document on their website "MPPD 10 -MAAC Owner Contact Information on Model Aircraft (https://www.maac.ca/en/documents.php)", (within Safety Committee documents) that document says something a little different (look at their text I have highlighted in BOLD):


"......
4.3 MAAC will comply with the new requirement by reinstating the practice of having all members apply an owner’s identification tag/label; or a copy of the member’s electronic membership card; or a copy of the members MAAC card to their model aircraft containing the members contact identification listed below:
a. Members MAAC number (required);
b. MAAC, website address (required);
c. MAAC office phone number “or” members home/cell phone number (required); and
d. Members name (optional).
4.4 Examples of MAAC contact information label/tags /cards as follows:
4.5 The choice of owner’s information label location (inside/outside) of the model aircraft will be the member’s.
4.6 It is recognized that many members already follow this identification procedure because is to the members advantage to provide the recommended contact information which can assist in the recovery of a lost model.
4.7 Compliance with this simple procedure it is hoped will satisfy the owner’s identification requirement enacted in the amended CARs thus avoiding the need to comply with more complex and stringent procedures in the future.
5.0 Process/Procedure.
5.1 The MAAC number and owner contact label (MS Word template – label # 5160 or equivalent), may also be available from the MAAC office.
5.2 All MAAC members are responsible for identifying which models in their possession require a contact information label/sticker and applying one to all models they intend to fly.
5.3 Questions concerning this document should be addressed to the MAAC representative on the Transport Canada Committee."

In fact I am also covered because I also have my TC registration number on my aircraft so I am covered under Part IX rules as well as a MAAC member.
:D

GREAT photos from the weekend by the way - keep them coming!

[Michael O'Bree]

Luc -
If you prefer to use the MAAC telephone number instead of your own, the number used on MAAC's sample id label (see below) is different from the one you found. Perhaps both numbers work.

..........
I see that MAAC suggests all member to write on the plane, our Name, MAAC# and the 800 number for MAAC. I would like to do it. Are all our members doing it?
I found this number: 1-855-756-MAAC (1-855-756-6222) Is this the good number to use, so I write the right one ??
...........

[Luke088]

Thank you very much!