New Drone Classifications in Canada

There are none . . . yet . . . but they are coming. It looks like the committees working on the new CARs (Canadian Air Regs) are working on 1kg as being a dividing point for a new class of drone/UAV called "Very Small" and with it will come some specific rules to regulate them.

They are using a new term for all drones, calling them a RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial System) . . so the "system" includes the controller not just the part that flies. This I assume helps regulate the control functional capabilities such as flight modes and navigation features, in addition to just the flying device. They are also considering under 250g class as "TOYS" and suggesting they need little special oversight based on their size and capabilities. I suspect that it will not take them long to realize that the weight is an important differentiator, but technology will overtake regulations and drones more capable than Mavic Pro will be the size of your thumb. Processors, cameras, glimbals and power sources continue to shrink.

Two things here. What is the criteria to establish a new class at 1kg . . why not 2kg or 1.35kg. How was this boundary established. There should be a reason, and there likely is. It should be based on design performance, physics and an operational use relevant to the airspace it is authorized to fly in. Knowing this criteria is based on rational risk/performance  trade-off is important to understand and once implemented will be very important to designs that are still on the drawing boards.