Canadian SFOC process for an advertised event

[DarR-T]

I have submitted three recent SFOC applications all TC approved.
For small and sub 250g RPA's:
As of 2025, you are advised to submit six (6) documents to TC for a low risk SFOC at an advertised event.
These include:
1) A SIGNED SFOC APPLICATION 26-0835_2504-10 .pdf
2) A SIGNED COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST for SFOC-RPAS_at an advertised_event copy .docx
3) MISSION PROCEDURES- (SOP)
4) SFOC SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION (link attached thanks to Don Joyce)
5) RPAS FLIGHT PLAN
6) FLIGHT GEOGRAPHY highlighting The Operational Volume, The Contingency Volume and The Ground Risk Buffer. (Google Earth works well for this)

SFOC Application Template for Sub250g Drones at Advertised Events

This is a free download to help you get started applying for an SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) when you are planning to fly a sub250g drone at an advertised event in Canada. (updated Jul 14, 2025 to reflect recent tips from TC)

www.pocketwatchpurveyor.com

 

[PINEBARON]

I have an SFOC-RPAS for a non-resident in May this year, obviously not what you are referring to for an advertised event. Took a while to get it but I did since I frequently travel to BC which is like five minutes away from where we are.

 

[Ralph thompson]

You might find it easier to just follow the AIM, obtaining an SFOC is a time consuming process (done it many times before 2019) and you won’t get permission to fly over the event anyway with a standard micro drone and unless you’re taking very special precautions, they’ll simply require you to stay 100’ away from people as per the AIM.
“ 3.2.29.2 Advertised Events
An SFOC RPAS for an advertised event is needed when a pilot
is operating an RPAS less than 100 ft away of the boundaries
of an advertised event (CAR 901.41 and 903.01 f). For reference,
see also in this chapter: 3.4.5 Operations Near People,
3.4.6 Operations Over People, and 3.8 Special Flight Operations
– RPAS.
The boundaries of an advertised event (outdoor event including
a concert, performance, festival, market, or sporting event, etc.)
are limited by perimeter fences and at the gates where people
are restricted by the event personnel, volunteers, and security
or peace officers.
Where no such perimeter is defined for outdoor advertised
events like marathons, triathlons, cycling, swimming, skiing,
fishing derbies, sailing, cruise ships, fireworks, and so on, it is
expected that the boundaries of the advertised event be at least
100 ft from people participating in the advertised event and
100 ft from the track of the sporting event for all categories of
RPA pilot certificates and models of RPAs."

 

[DarR-T]

@Ralph thompson
CAR 903.01 (f) has been replaced (see attached). Notwithstanding, an SFOC for an advertised event is now required for both Basic (or none) and Advanced pilot certificate holders. However, the proximity to people distance is different.
Basic: 30m (100ft)
Advanced: 5M (15ft)

 

[Dronecation]

I have submitted three recent SFOC applications all TC approved.
For small and sub 250g RPA's:
As of 2025, you are advised to submit six (6) documents to TC for a low risk SFOC at an advertised event.
These include:
1) A SIGNED SFOC APPLICATION 26-0835_2504-10 .pdf
2) A SIGNED COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST for SFOC-RPAS_at an advertised_event copy .docx
3) MISSION PROCEDURES- (SOP)
4) SFOC SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION (link attached thanks to Don Joyce)
5) RPAS FLIGHT PLAN
6) FLIGHT GEOGRAPHY highlighting The Operational Volume, The Contingency Volume and The Ground Risk Buffer. (Google Earth works well for this)

SFOC Application Template for Sub250g Drones at Advertised Events

This is a free download to help you get started applying for an SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) when you are planning to fly a sub250g drone at an advertised event in Canada. (updated Jul 14, 2025 to reflect recent tips from TC)

www.pocketwatchpurveyor.com

There is going to be costs involved in the near future. Probably why this stupid change in rules has come about.
These new changes are totally unnecessary.

 

[DarR-T]

There is going to be costs involved in the near future. Probably why this stupid change in rules has come about.
These new changes are totally unnecessary.

While I wholeheartedly agree that necessitating an SFOC for using a sub 250g drone at an advertised event and having to pay $75 for the privileged is overkill. DPAC would agree. However, it is what it is. However, you can minimize the cost with a Standing SFOC once you have had three approved SFOC under your belt. Then the cost is $75 only once for the year.

 

[Ralph thompson]

My point was that you don’t need an SFOC as long as you remain 100’ away from the public event (the perimeter fence or whatever delimits the event) its perfectly legal (provide all else is legal). And if you apply for an SFOC they’ll almost certainly require you to be 100’ away from people anyway, so whats the point of an SFOC unless you’re going to fly over people in which case you need an approved drone and advanced pilot certificate. I have SFOC’s for public events (pre 2019) and they’ve always required that there is 100’ secured between the drone and the people.

 

[DarR-T]

My point was that you don’t need an SFOC as long as you remain 100’ away from the public event (the perimeter fence or whatever delimits the event) its perfectly legal (provide all else is legal). And if you apply for an SFOC they’ll almost certainly require you to be 100’ away from people anyway, so whats the point of an SFOC unless you’re going to fly over people in which case you need an approved drone and advanced pilot certificate. I have SFOC’s for public events (pre 2019) and they’ve always required that there is 100’ secured between the drone and the people.

I totally agree with your first sentence. That's a very valid recommendation.