NAV Drone is accessible through the following websites:
• NAV Drone Viewer to view map of controlled airspace https://map.navdrone.ca/
• NAV Drone Web to login and request authorizations https://portal.navdrone.ca
• NAV Drone Mobile apps (Android or iOS) can be downloaded from the app store (Android/Apple)
NAV Drone supports the following web browsers:
• Safari (Mac OS and Windows) - current version and one version back
• Firefox (Mac OS, Windows and Linux) - current version and two versions back
• Chrome (Mac OS, Windows and Linux) - current version and two versions back
• Edge (Mac OS and Windows) - current version and two versions back
Both the NAV Drone Viewer and NAV Drone Mobile applications can be explored without an account. For NAV Drone Mobile, click the “Explore without account” link from the log in page. To take advantage of all the functionality NAV Drone has to offer, you must create an account.
Validating your mobile phone number ensures that two-way communication capability can be maintained with the appropriate NAV CANADA Air Traffic Services unit while operating in a control zone. Your mobile number will also be used as a 2 factor for multi-factor authentication.
According to Transport Canada, drones are aircraft, which makes you a pilot. When you fly your drone, you are sharing the sky with other drones and manned aircraft. When flying a drone heavier than 249 grams, drone pilots must carry a valid drone pilot certificate at all times while operating their drone. A valid drone pilot certificate is a printed or electronic document issued by Transport Canada. To learn more about drone pilot certificates, visit Transport Canada’s website.
The Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part IX states that a flight in controlled airspace is considered an Advanced operation. To fly Advanced operations, you must obtain a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations from Transport Canada. As a provider of air traffic services, NAV CANADA must collect the pilot certification number from all pilots requesting access to airspace that it controls.
Requests to access controlled airspace may be evaluated in two ways, depending on the location and altitude of the operation. For a flight zone with an altitude that is at or below the lowest maximum altitude threshold for all selected cells of a control zone grid, an automatic approval will be issued when submitting a permission request. For a flight zone with an altitude above the lowest maximum altitude threshold for all selected cells of a control zone grid, a manual review of the operation by NAV CANADA is required. Based on location and complexity of the airspace, processing times can vary. RPAS authorization requests can take up to two weeks but typically, approval requests are processed in one week.
The NAV Drone Mobile app supports iOS and Android devices released within the past three years and running a version of the mobile operating system that is currently supported by Apple/Google.
On the NAV Drone Web application, click on Gear in the left sidebar. Click on the [ + Add ] button and update the necessary information in the New drone screen. If the manufacturer or model you are trying to add is not available in the drop down list then you can type the name directly in the field to add it.
On the NAV Drone Mobile application, tap the More button , then tap the Gear. Next tap Add to display the Add drone screen. If the manufacturer or model you are trying to add is not available in the drop-down list then you can type the name directly in the field and tap New to add it.
From the NAV Drone Web application:
1. Click on the menu button at the top left of the screen to display the menu
2. Click on the Profile & Account Settings menu entry
3. You will now see the My account screen displaying your personal details in the Personal Info tab
4. Click on Delete account link in the Security area
5. An off-boarding message stating the date your account will be permanently deleted is displayed
6. Click Delete Account to confirm. Your account will be deactivated for 30 days before it is permanently deleted. You can reactivate your account at any time during the 30-day period by logging in.
From the NAV Drone Mobile app:
1. Tap on the triple bar icon in the menu bar at the bottom right of the screen to access the More screen.
2. Tap on My account
3. Tap on Security>Delete account
4. An off-boarding message stating the date your account will be permanently deleted is displayed
5. Tap OK to confirm. Your account will be deactivated for 30 days before it is permanently deleted. You can reactivate your account at any time during the 30-day period by logging in
Your account will be deactivated for 30 days before it is permanently deleted. You can reactivate your account at any time during the 30-day period. After 30 days you will not be able to reactivate your account.
Permission requests may be rescinded for the following reason:
A notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations. NAV Drone visualizes the area of influence of a NOTAM. Operators should be aware that the area of influence is typically larger than the actual restriction. Refer to the published NOTAM to ensure that you respect all associated rules and that you are allowed to fly your RPAS. The complete and official source for Canadian NOTAMs is the NAV CANADA CFPS website: CFPS - Alphanumeric Weather Recall www.navcanda.ca CFPS - Alphanumeric Weather RecallOpen a new window
The different colours are used to represent geozones. A geozone is defined as any airspace that may have restrictions, may require permission, or may require awareness of manned aviation. Geozone colors in the map will change based on the category of operation selected in the Map Layers menu. Geozones can be either yellow, orange or red.
• Yellow - exercise caution due to the potential presence of manned aviation
• Orange - permission required to access this geozone
• Red - geozone is restricted/prohibited to drone operations
An overview of the airspace applicable to VLOS drone operations can be viewed at https://map.navdrone.ca
Issues/incorrect data etc. may be reported by sending an email to navdrone@navcanada.ca.
When reporting an issue, please include:
A drone operator is the legal entity or organization that organizes a drone flight. The drone operator is accountable for the drone ownership. A drone pilot is the person accountable for flying the operation with the drone. If the owner of the drone is also flying that drone, then the operator and pilot are one and the same person.
The following operational restrictions must be followed while planning an operation:
Duration of Operations
Operation Planning
RPAS Flight zone
Polygon: 12.5 Sq.NM + 10 NM span
Circle: 12.5 Sq.NM + 10 NM span
Path/Line: 12.5 Sq.NM + 10 NM span
Please refer to the following information from Transport Canada regarding the difference between micro drone, basic and advanced operations: Find your category of drone operation
You can create an Operation in NAV Drone, and the Operator can have one or more Pilots associated with them. If you are an Operator (e.g. company representative) and a Pilot registered under that Operator, you will see references to yourself as both Pilot and Operator on some screens.
Access to controlled airspace via NAV Drone is limited to control zones under the jurisdiction of NAV CANADA.
Access to control zones not controlled by NAV CANADA cannot be provided via NAV Drone. Permission must be obtained directly from the controlling agency. Controlling agency information is presented in the Warning section of the validation message list, and by selecting the affected geozone in NAV Drone Mobile or Nav Drone Web.
To obtain permission to access NAV CANADA controlled airspace, you must have a NAV Drone user profile, which includes a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations and a verified mobile telephone number.
Ensure that a Transport Canada registration number is associated to your drone under the Gear screen. A new drone can be added to your list of Gear, but you must ensure each drone has an associated Transport Canada registration number.
Once completed, an operation can be created by defining the flight zone and associated parameters in a NAV CANADA control zone grid. Ensure you select a registered drone for this operation. Next, validate, save and request acceptance for the operation prior to submitting the permission request task.
Each control zone under the jurisdiction of NAV CANADA has been divided into a number of ½ x ½ NM grid cells. Each grid cell has been assigned a maximum altitude threshold ranging from 0 to 400 ft Above Ground Level (AGL) increasing in increments of 100 ft. Control zone grids are used by NAV Drone to determine if a request for permission to access controlled airspace can be approved automatically or if the request needs to be sent to NAV CANADA Air Traffic Services for further assessment.
The operator Admin role can invite other users to join the operator’s team. To edit the role of a user, log into NAV Drone web, click the Users tab, then click on the menu icon ( ⋮ ) on the right side of the user entry in the table and select the menu item Edit and edit the role from admin to user or user to admin.
If you encounter a discrepancy between a NAV Drone map data and your drone manufacture’s geofence data, please contact your drone manufacturer.
Please refer to NAV CANADA Support Site for additional information.
On the NAV Drone Web application, the user can change the Operator by clicking on the Current Operator (on the top left corner of the screen) and then selecting the desired Operator from the list of Operators displayed.
On the NAV Drone Mobile application, the user can change the Operator by clicking on the More button > My Account > Change company and then selecting the desired Operator from the list of Operators displayed. Doing this on the mobile will change the operator to your default operator
In the NAV Drone Web application, the Settings tab allows you to set your preference for the following settings for the Default operator in case your personal account is associated with multiple operators (e.g. if you are a freelance pilot contracted by multiple operators), you can select which operator is displayed by default when opening NAV Drone by selecting Profile & Account Settings -> Settings -> Account to change the Default operator to the desired Operator from the list of Operators displayed.
Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) provides a Site Survey list (see CARs 901.27) which includes knowing the proximity of aerodromes, airports and heliports, etc. Pilot/operator best practices suggest having a list of emergency contacts applicable to the flying site (flyaway, EMS etc.). In the event of a flyaway, it’s important to contact the affected authority providing last known position, direction, height and remaining battery life NAV CANADA How to Report a Flyaway Drone
A separate permission request is required for each NAV CANADA control zone. For Non-NAV CANADA Control Zones, you need permission from the Controlling agency which cannot be obtained from NAV CANADA. Please contact the controlling agency. Controlling agency information is presented in the Warning section of the validation message list, and by selecting the affected geozone in NAV Drone Mobile or NAV Drone Web.
On the NAV Drone Web application User can update mobile number under: Profile and Account Settings > Personal Info. > Mobile > Edit (+1-Mobile number) and click ‘Send verification code’ button to receive the verification code.
On the NAV Drone Mobile application User can update mobile number under: My Account > Mobile number > Enter the new number (+1-Mobile number) and then click ‘Verify’ button to receive the verification code.
If the Multi-factor authentication for your account is ON and you do not have access to your old phone number, then please send an email to navdrone@navcanada.ca.
Rules for micro drones can be found at Transport Canada’s website:
User can view the list of all drones associated to the company by clicking on ‘Gear’ in the left navigation menu.
On the NAV Drone Web application, user can add the pilot certificate by navigating to: Documents tab. Click on 'Add Document' button. A form is displayed. Select Canada from the Country dropdown, Select 'Certificate' from the Category dropdown, select 'Pilot Certificate' from the Type dropdown, select the sub types of pilot certificates(Basic, Advanced or Level 1 Complex) from the drop down, complete the form by oncluding the reference no and upload a copy of the certificate(optional) and click Save.
On the NAV Drone Mobile application, user can add the pilot certificate by navigating to: More screen (triple bar on bottom of map screen) > Documents > Tap ‘Add new document’ > Set ‘Category’ to ‘Pilot Certificate’, set ‘Type’ to ‘Pilot Certificate’. Next complete the ‘Subtype’ and ‘Certificate number’ field and tap Save