» HOW TO REGISTER YOUR WEATHER BALLOON IN CANADA «

To take pictures from the edge of space over Canada and view the beauty of the country from an altitude otherwise reserved for SpaceX or NASA, you can now launch your own mission with your weather balloon (also called HAB (High Altitude Balloon) or unmanned free balloon) into the stratosphere in Canada. With the launch of your weather balloon in Canada, you can take pictures from 130,000 feet above Canada. We have compiled all the information about registering and launching your weather balloon in Canada step-by-step from the legal text here:

First of all: An important point when applying for a permit is the volume of the weather balloon at sea level. This determines which procedure is used for the permit.

602.42 No person shall release an unoccupied free balloon having a gas-carrying capacity of more than 115 cubic feet (3.256 m3) except in accordance with an authorization issued by the Minister pursuant to section 602.44.

However, this is no problem and quite simple, because we provide you with all the information for your Stratoflights weather balloon in your instructions.

Step 1: Check the volume! Check the instructions for the Stratoflights weather balloon you have ordered to see whether its volume at sea level is above or below 3,25 m3.

A. Your Stratoflights weather balloon is under 3.25 m3:

  1. One week prior to launch, you must contact NavCanada by email and provide the following information:
    • Name, address and telephone number of the responsible person
    • Coordinates of the launch site (DD, MM, SS.SSSS)
    • Radius of the activity area (NM or feet, as appropriate)
    • Date and time of the activity (YYYY, MM, DD, HHMM), including launch duration
    • Maximum altitude AGL of the planned activity
  2. 48 hours before the launch, send another e-mail to quebecfic@navcanada.ca to issue a so-called (NOTAM). The best way to do this is to quote the above data again.
  3. As in any other country in the world, reckless or negligent operation of aircraft is not permitted.

    Reckless or negligent operation of aircraft
    602.01.1 It is prohibited to operate an aircraft in a reckless or negligent manner that could endanger the life or property of others.

    Therefore, provide NavCanada with all the required information truthfully, adhere to the information provided, use the equipment information provided by Stratoflights, use the Stratoflights tools and, above all, use the parachute. Once you have done all this, you are ready to go!

B. Your Stratoflights weather balloon is over 3.25 m3:

  1. To obtain an ascent permit for weather balloons over 3.25 m3, you need a permit from Transport Canada:

    602.42 It is prohibited to launch an unmanned free balloon with a gas capacity exceeding 115 cubic feet (3.256 m3) unless authorized by the Minister under section 602.44.

    602.44 The Minister may issue authorization under sections 602.42 or 602.43 if the launch is in the public interest and does not compromise aviation safety.

    Send an email to Transport Canada a few weeks before your start date: csva-vsca@tc.gc.ca
    Describe your project and include the following information:

    • Name, address and telephone number of the person responsible
    • Coordinates of the start location (DD, MM, SS.SSSS)
    • Radius of the activity area (NM or feet, as appropriate)
    • Date and time of the activity (YYYY, MM, DD, HHMM), including start duration
    • Maximum altitude AGL of the planned activity
  2. Depending on the start location, you may have to provide further information and may be subject to conditions for your ascent.
  3. As in any other country in the world, no reckless or negligent operation of aircraft is permitted.

    Reckless or negligent operation of aircraft
    602.01.1 It is prohibited to operate an aircraft in a reckless or negligent manner that could endanger the life or property of others.

    Therefore, provide Transport Canada with all the required information truthfully, adhere to the information provided, use the equipment information provided by Stratoflights, use the Stratoflights tools and, above all, use the parachute. Once you have done all this, you are ready to fly!