Flying your drone at an advertised event

To fly any drone at an advertised event, including a drone weighing less than 250 g (a microdrone), you must get a Special Operations Certificate (SFOC) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

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What’s an advertised event?

An “advertised event” means an outdoor event that is advertised to the public, like a concert, festival, market or sporting event. There are several factors to consider:

  • Is the event advertised to the public?
  • How is it advertised?
  • Does the public have access to the site of the event?
  • Will you fly your drone within 30 meters (100 feet) of the event?

Advertised event or Special aviation event?

A special aviation event is when the drone is performing in the event (referred to as an “airshow” or “drone show”). Organizers of special aviation events can apply for a SFOC-RPAS.

If the RPAS operation is not a performance that is part of the special aviation event, i.e. the operation is conducted for taking videos or photos of the event, or for surveillance or security purposes, you must apply for an SFOC-RPAS for an advertised event.

Event perimeter

If you are flying your drone within 30 m (100 feet) from the event boundaries, you will need to apply for an SFOC-RPAS. When there is no clear perimeter, such as during boating events, marathons, fireworks, protests, picket lines and so on, it is expected that the boundaries of the advertised event be at least 30 meters (100 feet) from people participating in the advertised event and 30 meters (100 feet) from the track of the sporting event. This applies to pilots of all sizes of drones, including micro drones.

If the drone is operating at least 30 meters (100 feet) from those boundaries, the pilot would not need an SFOC-RPAS for advertised events because they would not be considered part of the event. In all other instances, an SFOC-RPAS for advertised events would be required.

What isn’t an advertised event?

  • A private event for which an invite is required to attend, such as a private wedding or birthday party not open to the public
  • An event listing only posted within a private group, such as a Facebook group not open to the public

Penalties

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

Fines for individuals

  • up to $3,000 for flying a drone (250 g and above) at an advertised event
  • up to $1,000 for flying a microdrone (less than 250 g) at an advertised event

Fines for corporations

  • up to $15,000 for flying a drone (250 g and above) at an advertised event
  • up to $15,000 for flying a microdrone (less than 250 g) at an advertised event

Background

Since 2019, drone pilots wanting to operate a drone weighing 250 g or more at an advertised event have been required to obtain a lower-risk Special Flight Operations Certificate for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (SFOC-RPAS). As of April 1, 2025, this requirement was extended to include microdrones (drones weighing less than 250 g).

Effective November 4th, 2025, anyone applying for an SFOC-RPAS will need to pay a fee, except for government organizations involved with emergency response.

How to apply

To get your SFOC-RPAS , you will need to:

After you apply

It may take up to 30 working days to review and issue an SFOC-RPAS for an advertised event. Actual processing times can vary depending on the complexity and completeness of the request, as well as the applicant’s ability to respond to requests for additional information in a timely manner. Accepted SFOC-RPAS applications will be processed in the order received.

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