Canada’s air navigation service provider, NAV CANADA, this week launched the new NAV Drone app, which is now available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. A web-based version of NAV Drone is also available on NAV CANADA’s website.

NAV CANADA explains NAV Drone is designed to help drone pilots and operators safely and legally fly their remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) in Canada, where there has been a substantial increase in both registered drone pilots and aircraft.

From June to December 2020, NAV CANADA received nearly 16,000 RPAS flight authorization requests, a 54 per cent increase over the same period in 2019. The not-for-profit company says it expects this trend to continue as a growing number of companies and individuals find new uses for drones in Canada, noting its need to ensure safe operation for all types of aircraft in the country’s airspace.

“NAV Drone is creating a safer Canadian airspace for all. The drone industry and demands on NAV CANADA’s services are evolving rapidly, so we are continuing to innovate to meet the needs of drone pilots and operators today and well into the future,” said Mark Cooper, Vice President, Chief Technology and Information Officer, NAV CANADA. “The new app is a key component of our national drone strategy and will further our dedication to air traffic safety and technological innovation in Canadian airspace.”

NAV Drone allows users to submit drone flight authorization requests from a mobile device and, explains NAV Canada, provides information to help users fly drones quickly, safely and legally in Canada’s controlled airspace.

To this end, NAV Drone is the only app that can provide drone pilots and operators with permission to fly in NAV CANADA controlled airspace. The company points to the following interface features for users:

• Gain awareness to better understand Canada’s airspace;
• Visualize where basic and advanced drone pilots can fly;
• Create an operation, update and manage drone flights; and
• Obtain automatic authorizations from NAV CANADA when approved to fly.

(Images: NAV CANADA)