To get permission for a medium or high-complexity special drone flight operation, you will need to apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). See CARs 903.02(3) for medium-complexity and (4) for high-complexity.
On this page
- Medium and high-complexity operations
- Who can apply
- How to apply
- Fees and service standards
- Compliance checklists
- After you apply
- Guides and help
Medium and high-complexity operations
You need an SFOC if you want to fly your drone beyond the rules for basic, advanced or level 1 complex operations in any of these environments or conditions:
| Operation | Complexity – CARs reference |
|---|---|
| Flying a drone more than 150 kg | Medium – CAR 903.01(a) |
| Foreign pilot or operator (not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) flying for hire or reward/providing a commercial air service | Medium – CAR 900.09(2)(b) |
| Flying above 122 metres (400 ft) AGL in uncontrolled airspace | Medium – CAR 901.25 |
| Flying more than 5 drones within VLOS | Medium – CAR 901.40(2) |
| Flying more than 1 drone BVLOS | Medium – CAR 901.40(3) |
| Flying outside Canadian airspace | Medium – CAR 901.13 |
|
Flying beyond the visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) other than
|
High – CAR 901.11(2) |
| Flying BVLOS in an aerodrome environment | High – CAR 901.47(3) |
| Flying a medium-sized drone in adverse weather or poor visibility | High – CAR 901.34(4)(b) |
| Flying a drone with dangerous or hazardous payloads | High – CAR 901.43(2) |
| Flying with a person on board | High – CAR 901.22 |
| Performing at a special aviation event | Special aviation event – CAR 603.01 |
Special aviation event
An SFOC for a special aviation event is required when a pilot is operating a drone as a performer in the event (referred to as an “airshow”). If the 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), the SFOC—RPAS application is to be processed as it would be for an advertised event.
An SFOC for a Special Aviation Event will be issued as traditional aircraft under CARs 603 Division for Special Aviation Events.
Who can apply
You need to have a drone Pilot Certificate - Advanced Operations.
If you are a foreign pilot or operator, start at Get permission to fly your drone as a foreign pilot or operator.
How to apply
To get your medium or high-complexity SFOC-RPAS, you will need to:
- gather the documentation specified in the Compliance checklist
- complete the Specific Operational Risk Assessment (SORA)
- complete an Application for a Special Flight Operations Certificate RPAS form (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- send us your SFOC-RPAS application form and documents by email to: TC.RPASCentre-CentreSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca
- an inspector will review your application
- an invoice will be sent if the request meets the criteria
- once payment has been received, we will start the process to issue the SFOC-RPAS.
Fees and services standards
Actual processing times can vary depending on the complexity and completeness of the request.
Time is counted by working days and starts once we receive a complete application and all the required documents and fees.
Fees and service standards for SFOC — RPAS issuance
| Service | Fee | Service standard |
|---|---|---|
| Very Low-Complexity Operation under 903.02(1) |
30 business days | |
| Low-Complexity Operation under 903.02(2) |
30 business days | |
| Medium-Complexity Operation under 903.02(3) |
60 business days | |
| High-Complexity Operation under 903.02(4) |
60 business days | |
| *Two or more medium-complexity operations | 60 business days | |
| Special aviation event with 10,000 or fewer spectators under 603.02 |
20 business days | |
| Special aviation event with more than 10,000, up to 50,000 spectators under 603.02 |
20 business days | |
| A special aviation event with more than 50,000 spectators under 603.02 |
20 business days | |
| Re-issue an SFOC with a minor amendment under 903.02(5) | 20 business days |
*Note: If the application includes several operations, the highest complexity level applies. If an application includes two or more medium-complexity operations, the application is deemed a high-complexity operation.
Compliance checklists
Compliance checklists for medium and high-complexity environments have 3 parts:
RPAS Operation Risk Assessment
- provide a Concept of Operations (ConOps) type document which describes the purpose of the operations
- provide a Specific Operational Risk Assessment (SORA) based on AC 903-001 – RPAS ORA
- look if any of the - AC 903-001 – RPAS ORA - Appendix D – “Standard Scenarios” would apply to the application to make the SORA process easier
- look if the AC 903-001 – RPAS ORA - Appendix G – “Guidance on population density and site surveys” would apply to your BVLOS application to make the SORA process easier
- watch the Webinar - RPAS Operational Risk Assessment: Advisory Circular 903-001, Issue 02
- provide a Safety Plan for the proposed area of operation
- provide Emergency contingency plan and Emergency response plan
More about the Concept of Operations, or ConOps
The ConOps is a clearly defined and detailed purpose of the system/operation intended for the RPAS. This includes a description of the operational aspects of the crew, RPAS system, processes and procedures, and the expected environment.
Our preferred position is to issue SFOC-RPAS for 1 year. However, if you need to do a site survey as part of the application, the recommendation is to complete a site survey on an area that represents your ConOps. Detail what your process is to determine if an area is safe, and within the confines of your SORA or CARs 901 Regulations. This requires more work than doing a single site survey.
If you only require only one area (e.g. You are a mine operator, and the purpose of the operation is to survey just that mine, and you will never move to another site), you are free to request just that single site. This will reduce the requirement to write out a site survey procedure.
RPAS equipment capability
- provide the RPA Certificate of Registration issued with manufacturer and model information and relevant manufacturer Safety Assurance Declaration for the applicable advanced environment.
- for RPA above 150 kg or for BVLOS operations, provide a RPAS manufacturer performance declaration accepted by TC to the applicable technical requirements in reference to the applicant Specific Operational Risk Assessment (SORA) - Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL)
- confirm the RPAS has not been modified from the applicable safety assurance declaration
- if using a parachute system and if less than 5 metres (16.4 ft) of other people with a relevant manufacturer’s safety assurance declaration, provide the minimum safe deployment altitude information
- provide the instructions regarding the maintenance of the RPAS and how that maintenance and serviceability will be performed before flight
Applicant, pilot information
- describe how the RPAS operation including the
- maximum altitude
- maximum expected speeds
- maximum RPA weight
- maximum possible linear distances in the event of a flight interruption
- provide either the site survey for the intended RPAS operation or an example of one that meets the site survey requirements
- provide a company operation manual, RPAS operation manual and training manual of RPAS crew
- provide the names and qualifications of the crew members (including pilots, visual observers, and maintenance personnel)
- provide confirmation the pilot is qualified for advanced operations, meet recency requirements, and also has the required qualification for the SAIL Level
- provide description of separation and collision avoidance capability procedures
- provide a proof of liability insurance coverage
Request a Compliance checklist
Request the Compliance checklist that best describes your proposed operation:
| Operation | Compliance checklist |
|---|---|
| Fly an RPA weighing over 150 kg | Request a copy of Fly an RPA weighing over 150 kg |
| Fly above 122 metres (400 ft) | Request a copy of Fly above 122 metres (400 ft) |
| Fly more than five RPAs at the same time and at more than 9.3 km (5 NM) of an aerodrome in uncontrolled airspace | Request a copy of Fly more than five RPAs at the same time from a single control station and at more than 9.3 km (5 NM) of an aerodrome in uncontrolled airspace |
| Fly more than five RPAs at the same time less than 9.3 km (5 NM) of an aerodrome | Request a copy of Fly more than five RPAs at the same time from a single control station less than 9.3 km (5 NM) of an aerodrome |
| Fly beyond visual line-of-sight | Request a copy of Fly beyond visual line-of-sight |
| Carrying dangerous or hazardous payloads (e.g. chemicals) | Request a copy of Carrying dangerous or hazardous payloads (e.g. chemicals) |
| Organize an RPA special aviation event | Request a copy of Organize an RPA special aviation event |
Please contact TC.RPASCentre-CentreSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca for any checklists not listed here.
After you apply
Applications received within 60 working days from the operation date for a High Complexity SFOC-RPAS will not be accepted. If the requested window is for a longer term, the SFOC-RPAS application will be accepted. Processing times can be longer depending on the complexity of the RPAS operation and completeness of the application.
Guides and help
- Canadian Aviation Regulations - Part IX
- Advisory Circular (AC) 903-001: RPAS Operational Risk Assessment
- Advisory Circular (AC) 903-002 - Application Guidelines for a SFOC-RPAS
- Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual - Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Chapter
Guidance for inspectors
- Staff Instructions (SI) 903-002: Processing of an Application for a SFOC-RPAS
- Internal Process Bulletin (IPB) 2021-03: Supporting Guidance to SI 903-002 – Processing of an Application for a SFOC-RPAS
Contact us
Telephone: 1-800-305-2059
Email: TC.RPASCentre-CentreSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca