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Our Story

Building the Future of Drone Operations

We're on a mission to make drone operations safe, compliant, and accessible for every pilot in Canada.

50,000+ Pilots 300K+ Missions Since 2019
2019
Founded
50,000+
Pilots Served
300K+
Missions Planned
Waterloo
Headquarters
How It Started

Our Story

RPAS WILCO was founded in 2019 by a team of pilots and engineers who were frustrated by the complexity of drone regulations in Canada. Getting a mission off the ground meant juggling NOTAMs, airspace rules, weather briefings, and compliance checklists — often across half a dozen tools.

What started as a simple flight planning tool has evolved into Canada's most comprehensive drone operations platform, serving over 50,000 commercial and recreational pilots from coast to coast.

Today, we are the leading drone platform with official NAV CANADA aeronautical data distribution, working closely with Transport Canada, insurance partners, and industry associations to keep our platform ahead of regulatory changes.

Waterloo HQ Vancouver Calgary Edmonton Winnipeg Ottawa Halifax Toronto

Canadian Built

Designed and developed in Waterloo, Ontario — purpose-built for Canadian airspace regulations.

Canada's Largest Pilot Network

Over 50,000 pilots trust RPAS WILCO — the largest connected drone pilot community in the country.

Pilot-Driven

Built by pilots, for pilots. Every feature is shaped by real operational feedback from our community.

What We Stand For

Our Values

The principles that guide every decision we make and every feature we build.

Safety First

Every feature we build prioritizes the safety of pilots, the public, and airspace integrity. Safety is non-negotiable.

Compliance Made Simple

Following regulations shouldn't be complicated. We distill complex rules into clear, actionable workflows.

Customer Success

Your success is our success. We listen, iterate, and build the tools you actually need to get the job done.

Innovation

We push boundaries to deliver cutting-edge solutions — from real-time airspace data to AI-powered flight planning.

Our Journey

Key Milestones

From a simple idea to Canada's leading drone operations platform.

2019

Inception & NAV CANADA Data Distribution

RPAS WILCO launched as Canada's first drone platform with official NAV CANADA aeronautical data — bringing authoritative airspace intelligence directly to pilots.

2020

Mobile Platform Launch

Released RPAS WILCO on iOS and Android, putting full flight planning and compliance tools in every pilot's pocket.

2021

MAAC Partnership

Partnered with the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada to bring insurance and compliance tools to recreational pilots nationwide.

2022

Enterprise Platform

Launched the enterprise version of RPAS WILCO — fleet management, team operations, and large-scale compliance for commercial organizations.

2023

Airport Safety Management

Deployed safety management systems at YOW Ottawa International Airport, expanding into airport-level drone and airspace security operations.

2024

Flight Reviewer Network & Accelerator Centre

Built Canada's first digital flight reviewer network and joined the Accelerator Centre — Canada's #1 private business accelerator — to scale operations out of Waterloo Region.

early 2025

Product Expansion

Launched four major products in rapid succession — FlySafe insurance, Wilcoin pilot rewards, RPAS WILCO Fly live drone streaming, and SafeAirspace counter-drone detection.

late 2025

New Regulations & BVLOS

Rolled out full support for updated Transport Canada regulations and population density mapping for BVLOS operations. Selected for the Accelerator Centre's Aerospace Accelerator Program, advancing next-generation aerospace innovation in Waterloo Region.

2026

Next-Gen Ecosystem

Launched RPAS WILCO Viewer, DroneDetect24 integration, rFIMS, and AutoDispatch. Joined the DualUseTech Consortium — scaling toward fully autonomous drone operations.

Join the Community

Ready to Simplify Your Drone Operations?

Join 50,000+ pilots using RPAS WILCO to plan missions, maintain compliance, and fly with confidence.

RPAS WILCO Mobile App

Trusted by 50,000+ drone pilots across Canada · Official NAV CANADA Data Distributor