Hi,
I got my SFOC to fly my drone in Canada on my upcoming holiday last night, so thought adding some info on the process I followed may be of help. I'm from the UK.
1. The folks at Transport Canada have been great! I emailed them about the process of getting permission as I was unclear how to, and they were really helpful as they realised I had researched the process and was taking it seriously.
2. As a foreign operator you cannot register your drone, and you cannot take the Canadian drone exams - you don't have government registration you need to do either task. You need to apply for an SFOC from Transport Canada.
3. TC said that I would need to get an equivalent qualification to TP15263. They sent me a list of providers who offered various courses. The one I picked was from Coastal Drone who advertised an online course that was suitable for getting the SFOC as a foreign tourist. Cost me CA89, and I spent an afternoon following the ground school and exam prep modules. At the end of it there is a link to sit the TC exam, but you cannot do this. You have the two certificates TC require available at that point.
4. Download the SFOC application from https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/forms-formulaires/download/26-0835_BO_PX Make it clear that you have taken ground school and exam prep, make it clear you are a tourist and tell them your holiday dates and what area you will be in - I just stated BC as we are touring. Email it back to the address they give you on the form
5. What happens next is TC email you a checklist and info/advice. It's basically the same as the application form, but they ask you to attach documents. Specifically your Canadian qualifications and passport. I also included my USA drone registration. That was easier to get - it was just "Give us the money". Explain again that you are a tourist conducting basic operations where it is legal to do so, state what dates you are in Canada for. Give them any info you feel helpful.
6. If the documents are in order you get your SFOC! It only took them a couple of days for them to reply and process - it was quick but best do it in advance.
Hope this helps.
I got my SFOC to fly my drone in Canada on my upcoming holiday last night, so thought adding some info on the process I followed may be of help. I'm from the UK.
1. The folks at Transport Canada have been great! I emailed them about the process of getting permission as I was unclear how to, and they were really helpful as they realised I had researched the process and was taking it seriously.
2. As a foreign operator you cannot register your drone, and you cannot take the Canadian drone exams - you don't have government registration you need to do either task. You need to apply for an SFOC from Transport Canada.
3. TC said that I would need to get an equivalent qualification to TP15263. They sent me a list of providers who offered various courses. The one I picked was from Coastal Drone who advertised an online course that was suitable for getting the SFOC as a foreign tourist. Cost me CA89, and I spent an afternoon following the ground school and exam prep modules. At the end of it there is a link to sit the TC exam, but you cannot do this. You have the two certificates TC require available at that point.
4. Download the SFOC application from https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/forms-formulaires/download/26-0835_BO_PX Make it clear that you have taken ground school and exam prep, make it clear you are a tourist and tell them your holiday dates and what area you will be in - I just stated BC as we are touring. Email it back to the address they give you on the form
5. What happens next is TC email you a checklist and info/advice. It's basically the same as the application form, but they ask you to attach documents. Specifically your Canadian qualifications and passport. I also included my USA drone registration. That was easier to get - it was just "Give us the money". Explain again that you are a tourist conducting basic operations where it is legal to do so, state what dates you are in Canada for. Give them any info you feel helpful.
6. If the documents are in order you get your SFOC! It only took them a couple of days for them to reply and process - it was quick but best do it in advance.
Hope this helps.