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Calgary Herald

Calgary Airport Authority reminds not to use drones near YYC ahead of G7

Article content As Calgary gears up for a slate of high-profile events, including the G7 next month, and increased air traffic this spring and summer, the Calgary Airport Authority is reminding the public that YYC is a strict 'No Drone Zone.' Article content Article content Drones are prohibited within 6.5 kilometres of the airport centre or 1.8 kilometres of any heliport, according to the airport authority. This radius includes Prairie Winds Park, a popular park in Calgary's northeast quadrant. Article content Article content Chris Dinsdale, CEO and president of YYC, said even a single drone sighting can delay a flight, shut down a runway or lead to a costly investigation. Article content Article content The same message applies to the Springbank airport, which is also operated under the airport authority's jurisdiction. Unauthorized drone activity can result in fines of up to $3,000 or possible jail time, according to the release, which noted the Calgary Police Service 's Remote Pilot Aircraft System (RPAS) enforcement team is authorized by the federal Minister of Transport to investigate suspected violations and inspect drone flight documents. Article content Article content Patrol Sgt. Dallas Grimm of CPS said drones can impact aviation, particularly during high-traffic summertime events. Article content 'In the past, we've had to issue fines to Calgarians who were found to be operating drones illegally, and within restricted airspace, causing significant disruptions,' he said. 'While we recognize drones are a great tool for both professional and personal use, we are reminding Calgarians of the rules that are in place for everyone's safety.'