General Aviation

Airfield Information:

Airfield consists of two (2) asphalt runways, Runway 06/24 (7070’x200’) is equipped with an Instrument Landing System. Runway 18/36 is 6000’ by 150’.

Radio Communication:

Sydney Airport’s Mandatory Frequency is Charlottetown FSS 122.0

Private & Charter Aircraft Services:

Private aircraft operators have the choice of self-handling, or they can arrange for full FBO services with Gateway Sydney FBO Email: customerservice@yqygateway.com Phone: 902-999-7044. Our large general aviation apron, is equiped with embedded tie down anchors (owners must bring own tie down straps, limited numbers are available at the Commissionaire desk. 

Fuel:

  • Self-serve pay-at-the-pump 100LL aviation fuel is available on the General Aviation Apron, credit cards are accepted at the pump.
  • Jet fuel service is provided by Menzies. Phone 902-564-8101 or 902-565-7314.
  • FBO assisted fueling services can be arranged through Gateway Sydney FBO Email: customerservice@yqygateway.com Phone: 902-999-7044.  Radio Frequency 130.075

Ground Handling Service:

Ground handling service is provided by Airconsol Aviation Services. Phone 902-565-7313 or 902-567-0872

FBO Services, Ground Handling and Helicopter Charters:

Fixed Base Operator/Hangarage, Ground handling and Helicopter charter services are available on site through Gateway Sydney FBO (customerservice@yqygateway.com) and Breton Air (https://www.bretonair.com) Phone: 902-999-7044.  Radio Frequency 130.075

Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting (ARFF) Services

ARFF service is provided for aircraft category 5, 6 and 7 with 20 or more passengers between the hours of 5:00am and 1:00am. ARFF service after hours 1:00am – 5:00am, 2 hours prior notice required; fees apply.

Canada Border Services (Customs) – YQY Port of Entry into Canada

  • The JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport (YQY) is a Port of Entry into Canada.
  • Normal custom services are available at no charge from: Monday to Friday - 0800 - 1700 local time, Saturday  & Sunday - 0800 - 1600 local time. Cost recovery outside normal hours and on Holidays. After-hours cost depends on number of officers, day of the week, etc.
  • The Canada Border Services Agency Office (CBSA - Customs) at the airport is only staffed if required. You must call CANPASS to let them know you are coming 1-888-226-7277. The Sydney Airport has an account with CBSA and will invoice customers for after-hours border services so you do not have to set up an account with CBSA.
  • The Sydney Airport CBSA can accommodate up to 200 passengers with staged offloads (44 passengers disembark at a time).
  • Sydney is a CANPASS Airport. CANPASS is a Private Aircraft Program whereby private or charter aircraft that are registered with CANPASS can land at an airport of entry any time the site is open, regardless of the hours of operation of the local CBSA office.
  • The 1-888-CANPASS (1-888-226-7277) toll-free line is only available in Canada and the United States.
  • If a flight originates from a country outside Canada or the United States, the 1-888 number is not available and the pilot must call the TRC directly (long-distance charges may apply).
TRC for All of Canada, Hamilton, ON, Telephone: 905-679-2073 Fax: 905-679-6877
  • CANPASS Link - http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/privateair-eng.html

Other Services

  • Aircraft crew room available. Comfy sofas, TV, internet access – no charge
  • Food Service: McCurdy's Landing Restaurant – Eat-in or Take-out. Phone 902-564-5548

UAV, Drone Safety Rules: 

Flying your drone safely and legally

From: Transport Canada

Drones are aircraft—which makes you a pilot. When you fly your drone, you’re sharing the skies with other drones and aircraft. Before you fly, understand the rules you must follow and review our safety tips.

On this page

Drone pilots must follow the rules in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs). Part IX – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems contains most of the rules that apply to drones up to 25 kilograms. You should read these regulations in full before you fly your drone for the first time.

Drone pilots must carry a valid drone pilot certificate and only fly drones that are marked and registered. If you are flying a drone that is less than 250 grams, you do not need to register the drone or get a drone pilot certificate.

Members of the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) may be exempt from Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations if they meet the conditions set out in Exemption NCR-011-2019.

Respect all other laws

You must respect all other laws when flying your drone. We encourage you to read the following documents before you fly for the first time:

You must respect the privacy rights of others when you fly.

We investigate reports of unsafe flying. We may involve local police if you break other laws.

Fly your drone safely

It’s important that you fly your drone responsibly to avoid harming others. Here are the rules you need to follow.

Before you fly

  1. Understand your legal requirements when flying drones
  2. Understand the difference between basic and advanced operations
  3. Get the necessary knowledge requirements
  4. Get a drone pilot certificate
  5. Choose the right drone if you want to perform advanced operations
  6. Register your drone
  7. Follow your drone manufacturer’s instructions
  8. Survey the area where you will fly
    • Take note of any obstacles, such as buildings and power lines
  9. Advanced operations only - to operate in controlled airspace (Classes C, D or E) you need to ask NAV CANADA for an RPAS Flight Authorization

While flying

To keep yourself and others safe, fly your drone:

  • where you can see it at all times
  • below 122 metres (400 feet) in the air
  • away from bystanders, at a minimum horizontal distance of 30 metres for basic operations
  • away from emergency operations and advertised events
    • Avoid forest fires, outdoor concerts and parades
  • away from airports and heliports
    • 5.6 kilometres (3 nautical miles) from airports
    • 1.9 kilometres (1 nautical mile) from heliports
  • outside controlled airspace (for basic operations only)
  • far away from other aircraft
    • Don’t fly anywhere near airplanes, helicopters and other drones

Penalties

You could face serious penalties, including fines and/or jail time, if you break the rules.

Fines for individuals

  • up to $1,000 for flying without a drone pilot certificate
  • up to $1,000 for flying unregistered or unmarked drones
  • up to $1,000 for flying where you are not allowed
  • up to $3,000 for putting aircraft and people at risk

Fines for corporations

  • up to $5,000 for flying without a drone pilot certificate
  • up to $5,000 for flying unregistered or unmarked drones
  • up to $5,000 for flying where you are not allowed
  • up to $15,000 for putting aircraft and people at risk

If you break more than one rule, you could receive multiple penalties.

Tips for first-time pilots

  • Make sure it is safe to fly (ask yourself, for example: are the batteries fully charged? Is it too cold or windy to fly?)
  • Fly your drone with someone who has flown a drone before
  • Fly your drone in an open space and away from people
  • Fly your drone close to the ground and at a low speed
  • Fly your drone during daylight and in good weather

Public liability insurance

We recommend buying public liability insurance for your drone. However, it is not required. Note that most standard home insurance policies do not cover the use of drones.

Useful terms to know

Drone and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)

We use the term “drone” on these pages to refer to any type of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). There are a number of different terms for this technology. In Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, we use the term Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems to align with our international partners.

Visual-line-of-sight (VLOS)

Visual-line-of-sight means keeping your device in sight at all times without visual aid (for example, binoculars or video feed). This means not flying into clouds or fog, or behind trees, buildings or other (even partial) obstructions.

Bystander

Bystander refers to anyone that is not directly associated with the operation. Among others, this excludes the pilot and crew.

Related links