Transport Canada Just Put the Radio Link in the Weather Section
Transport Canada now places urban command and control guidance beside wind guidance. Brief the radio path and the airflow as one operating environment.
A new subsection in the manual
The 1 October 2026 edition of the Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual added guidance on command and control links in urban environments. The explanation of changes identifies the new subsection in RPA 3.2.22 and adds a supporting research link for urban airflow.
For a crew planning an inspection between buildings, the radio path belongs in the same preflight conversation as wind, visibility and the launch point. A clear view of the aircraft is useful, but it does not guarantee a reliable signal.
Buildings change the link
Transport Canada's urban command and control guidance explains that buildings can block signals or reflect them along multiple paths. They can also reduce the number of navigation satellites visible to the aircraft.
The first Fresnel zone is an area surrounding the line between transmitter and receiver. Transport Canada cautions that obstructions covering more than 40 percent of its radius can weaken a link even when the pilot can see the aircraft. Its example gives a midpoint radius of about two metres for a 2.4 GHz signal over 400 metres. A narrow gap between towers is not necessarily a clear radio path.
Power lines, telecommunications towers and substations can introduce interference. The guidance recommends following the manufacturer's antenna orientation instructions, keeping clear of interference sources and expecting reduced range in urban environments.
Put the site geometry in the brief
Walk the planned corridor before flight. Identify structures that may obstruct the link, potential interference sources and places where satellite visibility may be constrained. Choose a launch position that supports both a safe flight and a reliable path, while respecting applicable airspace and site permissions.
Review the aircraft's lost-link behavior for the site and brief the crew on the response. Wind around buildings can also differ from a nearby surface reading, so evaluate local exposure and aircraft limits rather than relying on a single number.
The takeaway
An urban flight plan needs more than a line on a map. Treat the link, the surrounding structures and the weather as connected operating conditions, and decide how to respond before the aircraft leaves the ground.
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