Safe, confident, community-led drone operations.
An in-person drone training program with Tsartlip First Nation — designed for participants with little to no prior experience, with accessible pathways into drone use that align with community priorities.
- Partner
- Tsartlip First Nation
- Year
- 2023
- Service
- Drone Training
- Output
- Certified Operators
Project details.
Approach
Built from the ground up — from first take-off to Transport Canada Basic certification.
Overstory partnered with Tsartlip First Nation to deliver an in-person drone training program focused on building safe, confident, community-led drone operations for stewardship, monitoring, and mapping. The program was designed to support participants with little to no prior experience, creating accessible pathways into drone use that align with community priorities.
The training followed the Transport Canada Basic framework, combining classroom instruction with hands-on flight practice. Participants learned core concepts such as aviation regulations, RPAS systems, navigation, meteorology, and practical flight operations, while gaining experience operating small and micro-drones in a controlled, supportive environment.
Delivered over five days, the training emphasized safety, regulatory awareness, and practical skills — supporting Tsartlip First Nation in building in-house drone capacity and strengthening long-term stewardship practices.
What was made
- Curriculum
- Transport Canada Basic framework, adapted for the community
- Flight Practice
- Hands-on operation of small and micro drones
- Theory
- Regulations, navigation, meteorology, RPAS systems
- Certification
- Path to certified, in-house drone operators
- Materials
- Handbook and checklists for ongoing use
By the numbers
5
days
of classroom and flight instruction
1
framework
Transport Canada Basic certification track
2
drone classes
small and micro RPAS systems in active use
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