Drones in arctic environments - by MARIA ADER, DAVID AXELSSON. Sweden 2017

Transport Canada's Arctic drone project delayed 2 years by arms-control rules Jul 14, 2017 "International missile deal adds snag to procurement of Arctic patrol drone, documents show" Photo:"An image of Glenn Williams, chief of operations at Arctic UAV Inc., captured by a drone. The Iqaluit company has been hired by Transport Canada to help launch its delayed Arctic drone project." "Transport Canada is planning to acquire a large drone with cameras and other sensors that fall within those parameters, and the department may be required to purchase it through another MTCR-signatory government, such as the United States, rather than directly from a manufacturer." "The systems Canada is considering are designated under so-called Category I of the MTCR, technology that is highly restricted." "The department had expected to issue a tender in April for an Arctic system, which includes a UAV, communications links, ground-control stations and sensor packages. " "The drone for Transport Canada is expected to fly about 500 hours a year, supplementing manned aircraft already patrolling the Arctic, and will watch for oil pollution, ice formation, illegal fishing, and help with search and rescue." "Transport Canada has signed a $25,000 contract with Carleton University in Ottawa this year to produce a statistical model and simulation tool to determine the risk of potential collisions between any UAV and manned aircraft." " the department has hired Arctic UAV Inc., an Iqaluit firm, on a two-year contract ending March 31, 2019, to test-fly drones under conditions expected in the Arctic." "This $300,000 project began last month with tests on a new range at Alma, Que., using a medium-size SeaHunter drone from a U.S. manufacturer. The range is a restricted airspace that allows the safe testing of drones beyond visual line of sight." "Transport Canada is ultimately planning to acquire a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone able to fly between 10,000 and 30,000 feet for as long as two days straight." Drones need " ground infrastructure, such as paved runways and aircraft hangars."
10 TIPS FOR FLYING YOUR DRONE IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE - August 18, 2018
"Somerset Island in Canada, to be exact –flying drones" magnetic interference: " compass and GPS errors" "Flying in the Arctic is tough, and the odds of a flyaway are inherently higher" " cold affects battery life and sensors:" "Consider using a battery heater:" Phantom 3 Intelligent Battery Heater " moisture can damage or short out the motor" "drone landing pads are a waste of money, taking off in snow is one instance where you want one" Drones Are Keeping Watch on the Arctic’s Polar Bear Population - Oct 4 2017
"helicopters have been used to spot the bears, but those aircraft are both costly and disturbing to the wildlife. However, drones are a low-cost, less invasive alternative."
"Liodden used Intel’s Falcon 8+ drone"
*Note: Polar bears are doing okay according to Nunasviat Wildlife monitor CBC and Sea ice is increasing:CBC