Public perception of remotely piloted aircraft systems in Canada

Technological developments in the areas of robotics, autonomous flight controls, sensory equipment, and energy storage have enabled the rise of the commercial drone industry. Drones, also referred to as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) are a versatile tool used in applications ranging from geological surveying to package delivery and vary in size from a few grams to several tons. With their increasing utilization by individuals, corporations, and the government, more must be done to understand how the public perceives their use. Studies have been performed all over the world and show an increasing level of support for drones, largely due to greater awareness of their existence and how they work. The last major survey performed in Canada was done in 2014 and found the public was rather opposed to the use of drones and preferred traditionally piloted aircraft in all 38 applications polled. Much has changed over the past eight years as the findings presented herein show the public is supportive of the technology in most applications. Factors leading to a higher level of support included age, gender, prior drone knowledge, and being a user of the technology. Applications of drones that were perceived to further the public interest such as search and rescue, firefighting, and climate research were also viewed more positively. Most drone user groups were viewed favorably except for journalists and corporations. Together, these results show the changing sentiment and opinions of Canadians and can be of use to industry stakeholders and governments for effectively using drones and developing policies to regulate them.