Phase I FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Phase I of the Drone Transport Initiative.

How long was Phase I?

Phase I operations began in October 2021 and concluded in October 2022. During this period, 12–14 flights were scheduled each weekday, enabling comprehensive, all‑season testing of the drone’s capabilities.

Did the drone deliver goods to people’s homes?

The drone was programmed to take off from and land at two designated sites – one in Stellaquo and one in the Village of Fraser Lake. During Phase I, the drone did not deliver directly to people’s homes.

What was transported on the drone?

The project took a phased implementation to drone transport. At first, the drone carried supplies and mock samples. When early flights were demonstrated to be successful, the project began to transport real medications.

Who was involved in Phase I of the project?

The Drone Transport Initiative is a partnership project between the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Stellat’en First Nation, and the Village of Fraser Lake. Phase I involved School District 91, First Nations Health Authority, LifeLabs, the Rural Coordination Centre of British Columbia, and UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Drone technology and operational services were provided by Drone Delivery Canada.

Phase I Project Team and Partners

What happened to the drone the end of Phase I?

After Phase I, the drone was returned to Drone Delivery Canada. The two landing sites were also dismantled and restored to their original states. This initial phase was funded for a 1-year period and was intended to provide proof-of-concept. Learnings from Phase I will inform the project’s next phase and support continued exploration of how of drone technology can be leveraged to advance the distinct priorities rural, remote and First Nations communities.

Are drone flights allowed in Canada?

Drones are permitted to fly in Canada. All operations were conducted in accordance with Canadian Aviation Regulations and Transport Canada flight authorizations.

When and under what conditions could the drone fly?

The drone could operate day or night, and in weather conditions that included moderate rain, snow and wind. Under suitable conditions, drone flights took place between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

How fast could the drone fly?

The drone flew at approximately 54 km per hour.

At what altitude did the drone typically fly?

The drone flew at 200-300 feet above ground.

How long did the drone take to fly between the Village of Fraser Lake and Stellaquo?

The flight took approximately seven minutes, though the duration could vary based on external factors such as wind.

Was the drone equipped with cameras?

The drone was only intended for delivery applications and was not equipped with cameras or other surveillance technology.

Did the drone fly over people’s homes or businesses?

The drone followed a pre-programmed, fixed flight path, with the majority of the route crossing Fraser Lake.

How much cargo could the drone carry?

The drone could carry up to 4 kg of cargo. To fit inside the drone’s cargo chamber, packages were limited to a maximum size of 12″ × 9″ × 6″.

Who controlled the drone flights?

In compliance with federal regulations, the drone was authorized to fly automatically without a pilot. Each pre-programmed flight was monitored from the DDC Operations Control Centre in Vaughan, Ontario, and by in-community Visual Observers.

How did the drone communicate with the Operation Control Centre?

The drone and landing site were connected through multiple communication channels, including cellular signals and VHF frequency.

Who were the safety and operational personnel on the ground in Stellaquo and the Village of Fraser Lake?

Drone Handlers were stationed at each landing site and were responsible for loading and unloading cargo, performing pre-flight inspections, and drone maintenance tasks.
Safety Pilots ensured the drone was operating according to its pre-programmed flight plan. Stationed at each landing site, the Safety Pilot could override automation if necessary.
Visual Observers ensured that all flights were conducted safely. Because Federal Aviation Law required the drone to be under direct, in‑person observation, known as Visual Line‑of‑Sight (VLOS) operation, a Visual Observer was stationed at an intermediate location between the two landing sites in Stellaquo and the Village of Fraser Lake.

Did the drone flights affect other air traffic such as float planes?

Generally, drones operate well below the altitudes used by crewed aircraft and are therefore not at significant risk of collision. During operations, Drone Delivery Canada continuously monitored commercial aircraft activity and ensured that crewed aircraft were always able to maintain their right‑of‑way. To further support safe operations, the Drone Transport Initiative met with local safety personnel and aircraft operators from Stellaquo and the Village of Fraser Lake to confirm that all drone flights would follow appropriate safety protocols.

Did the drone flights impact wildlife in the area?

Similar drone‑based projects have not identified negative impacts on local wildlife. The drone’s relatively large size acted as a deterrent for birds and other small animals while it was in flight, and its low operating speed allowed birds to avoid it if necessary. Additionally, landing sites were equipped with security cameras, which were monitored by the Operations Control Centre to confirm that the area was clear prior to take‑off and landing.

What if the drone were to crash?

There were no drone crashes during Phase I. However, several technical failsafe procedures were built into the drone’s design to mitigate risk in the unlikely event of an incident. Drone Delivery Canada, the drone technology provider, had an established Emergency Response Procedure that coordinated the response with local agencies, including the Fire Chief, RCMP, Village of Fraser Lake staff, and Band staff. Drone Delivery Canada provided these agencies with training on emergency procedures, a technical overview, and opportunities to become familiarized with the drone. To minimize the risk of harm, the drone’s flight path was programmed to avoid residential areas and buildings. If the drone were ever to crash, the local safety response team was trained to deactivate and safely retrieve the drone.