CLOSE CALL: Near miss between small plane and drone over downtown Kelowna

The pilot of a small aircraft flying over downtown Kelowna yesterday has reported a near miss with a drone.

A Southern Interior Flight Centre Cessna flying in the Kelowna area yesterday, April 21, reported a near miss with a remotely piloted aircraft system over downtown Kelowna, according to a report by Transport Canada's Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System, or CADORS. CADORS is the Canadian air traffic service safety data reporting system which focuses on civil air transportation.

The drone is came within 200 feet of the aircraft, which was at 3,500 feet above sea level at the time, the report said.

Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said in an email today, April 22, police were notified of the near miss incident between a drone and a Cessna in the Kelowna area yesterday.

“We have no other information at this time,” Noseworthy said in the statement.

Drone pilots must follow the rules in the Canadian Aviation Regulations and carry a valid drone pilot certificate to pilot a drone 250 grams and larger. Drones are to be flown below 400 feet, away from airports and heliports and outside controlled airspaces. Drone operators are not permitted to fly drones near other aircraft.

More information about piloting a drone can be found here.

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