Transport Canada's Medium-Drone and BVLOS Rules: What Has Changed for AGRAS, FlyCart and Matrice Operators
Canada's RPAS regulations took their biggest step since 2019 last November. For buyers of AGRAS, FlyCart and larger Matrice systems, the change turns many operations from case-by-case approvals into a standing certificate. Here is the summary we give customers.
The key changes (in force November 4, 2025)
- Medium drones (25 kg to 150 kg) can now be operated under the regulations rather than only under a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC), provided the pilot holds the new Level 1 Complex certificate and the aircraft meets the applicable safety declaration.
- Lower-risk beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations — for example in uncontrolled airspace away from populated areas, with a small drone or medium drone — are permitted under the Level 1 Complex certificate without an individual SFOC.
- Higher-risk operations (over people with medium drones, BVLOS near populated areas or in controlled airspace) still require an SFOC.
- Basic and Advanced certificates continue unchanged for small drones (250 g – 25 kg) in visual line of sight.
What it means for DJI Buyers in Canada
Agriculture
Loaded AGRAS aircraft — DJI AGRAS T50 at full tank and DJI AGRAS T100 — fall in the medium class. Pilots can now qualify once with a Level 1 Complex certificate rather than renewing SFOCs, though aerial pesticide application still requires an SFOC for the spraying activity itself, provincial applicator certification and PMRA-approved product labels.
Delivery
The DJI FlyCart 30 (about 95 kg take-off weight) is squarely a medium drone. Routine line-of-sight cargo flights on a mine or construction site, and lower-risk BVLOS runs in remote areas, become far more practical to authorise. Complex urban or near-airport BVLOS still needs an SFOC.
Enterprise inspection
Most Matrice platforms remain under 25 kg, so the Advanced certificate continues to apply; the DJI Matrice 400 with heavy payloads may approach the medium threshold. The BVLOS provisions matter most for linear inspection — pipelines, power lines, rail — where lower-risk BVLOS can now be flown under the Level 1 Complex certificate.
Practical steps
- Check your operation against the lower-risk BVLOS criteria; if it qualifies, schedule the Level 1 Complex exam and flight review.
- Confirm the manufacturer's safety declaration for the aircraft and operation type you intend to fly.
- Register every aircraft over 250 g and keep records; medium drones have additional maintenance and record-keeping requirements.
- Budget for a detect-and-avoid or airspace-awareness solution where required for BVLOS.
This summary is not legal advice; Transport Canada's website is the authoritative source and the rules continue to evolve. ASI Computer's agriculture and enterprise teams can connect you with Canadian training providers and regulatory consultants as part of a system quote — start on our Agriculture or Enterprise pages.
Products in this article
Quote-Based Pricing
DJI AGRAS T50
50L Tank · 27.5ha/Hr · Spray Width 11m · 20Min · Dual Radar+RTK · OcuSync 3 · 110kg
Quote-Based Pricing
DJI AGRAS T100
100L Tank · 50ha/Hr · Spray Width 18m · 25Min · Dual Radar+AI+RTK · OcuSync 3 · 200+kg
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Quote-Based Pricing
DJI FlyCart 30
Max Load 30kg · Cargo Box+Air Freight · 25Min · 72km/h · OmniSensing · O3 · 95kg
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25% off MSRP
DJI Matrice 400
Industrial Platform · IP45 · 55Min · OcuSync 2 · Heavy-Lift
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need an SFOC to spray with an AGRAS in Canada?
Yes. The November 2025 rules let you fly a medium drone under a Level 1 Complex certificate, but aerial pesticide application still needs an SFOC for the spraying activity, plus provincial applicator certification and PMRA-approved labels.
Is the FlyCart 30 a medium drone?
Yes. At about 95 kg take-off weight the FlyCart 30 sits in the 25–150 kg medium class, so routine site flights become much easier to authorise once the pilot holds a Level 1 Complex certificate.
Do Matrice inspection drones need the new certificate?
Most Matrice platforms remain under 25 kg, so the Advanced certificate still applies. The BVLOS provisions matter most for linear inspection — pipelines, power lines and rail — in uncontrolled airspace.
Sources & Further Reading
Talk to a Consultant at ASI Computer
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