Glossary

Above Ground Level. Altitude measured relative to the ground directly below the aircraft, as opposed to sea level (MSL).

Aeronautical Information Management. The service provided by NAV CANADA that publishes airspace data, NOTAMs, and other aviation information.

Air Traffic Management. The traditional system for managing crewed aircraft traffic, including air traffic control (ATC), airspace management, and air traffic flow management.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight. Operations where the pilot cannot see the RPAS directly. Requires additional regulatory approvals and technical capabilities.

Command and Control Link. The communication link between the pilot/operator and the RPAS, used to send commands and receive telemetry.

Canadian Aviation Regulations. The regulatory framework governing aviation in Canada, including Part IX for RPAS.

Concept of Operations. The NAV CANADA document (v1.1) that describes the envisioned RTM framework for Canada.

Detect and Avoid. Systems that allow RPAS to detect and avoid other aircraft and obstacles, either ground-based or onboard.

Drone Management Portal. Transport Canada's portal for RPAS registration, pilot certification, and operator management.

Ground Risk Class. A SORA metric that quantifies the risk to people on the ground from an RPAS operation.

A hexagonal hierarchical geospatial indexing system developed by Uber. Used for spatial partitioning in capacity management and conflict detection.

International Civil Aviation Organization. The UN specialized agency that sets international aviation standards and recommended practices.

Mean Sea Level. Altitude measured relative to average sea level, the standard reference for aviation altimetry.

Mutual Transport Layer Security. A security protocol where both client and server authenticate each other using digital certificates.

Canada's civil air navigation services provider. A private, not-for-profit corporation responsible for air traffic control and air navigation services. Operator of rFIMS.

A system for remotely identifying RPAS in flight by broadcasting identification and position information. Similar to Remote ID in other jurisdictions.

Notice to Air Missions. A notice containing information essential to personnel concerned with flight operations, including temporary restrictions and hazards.

RPAS Flight Information Management System. The centralized platform operated by NAV CANADA that provides the core RTM services — flight plan validation, tracking, conflict detection, and airspace management.

RPAS Operating Certificate. A proposed standing authorization for organizations to conduct specific types of RPAS operations, similar to an Air Operator Certificate.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft. The aircraft itself (without the ground station or pilot). The 'drone' in common parlance.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft System. The complete system including the aircraft (RPA), ground control station, command and control links, and any other components.

RTM Service Provider. Companies that provide operator-facing services within the RTM ecosystem, connecting drone operators to rFIMS. The equivalent of a 'USS' in the FAA UTM framework.

RPAS Traffic Management. Canada's framework for managing drone traffic, encompassing the systems, services, and procedures for safe RPAS operations in the national airspace.

RTM designation for low-risk BVLOS operations in uncontrolled airspace. Proposed in CG1 regulations.

RTM Cooperative. A future airspace designation for BVLOS operations where all participants are cooperative (equipped with Network ID and connected to an RSP).

RTM Non-Cooperative. A future airspace designation that accommodates non-cooperative aircraft (those without Network ID) using surveillance systems.

RTM Restricted. A future airspace designation for restricted zones — security perimeters, temporary flight restrictions, and other exclusion areas.

RTM Segregated. A future airspace designation for segregated BVLOS corridors where ATC has delegated control to the RTM system.

RTM designation for VLOS operations in controlled airspace. Currently operational under CARs Part IX Advanced operations.

RTM designation for VLOS operations in uncontrolled airspace. Currently operational under CARs Part IX Basic and Advanced operations.

Special Flight Operations Certificate. A certificate issued by Transport Canada that authorizes RPAS operations outside standard regulatory permissions, including BVLOS flights.

Specific Operations Risk Assessment. The risk methodology adopted by Transport Canada (and JARUS internationally) for assessing RPAS operations. Considers ground risk and air risk.

The Canadian federal department responsible for transportation policies and programs, including aviation regulation and RPAS rulemaking.

The European framework for drone traffic management, equivalent to Canada's RTM. Defined by EU Regulations 2021/664, 2021/665, and 2021/666.

Unmanned Traffic Management (or UAS Traffic Management). The generic term for drone traffic management systems. In the USA, refers specifically to the FAA's framework.

Visual Line of Sight. Operations where the pilot can see the RPAS directly at all times without visual aids (other than corrective lenses).