How to Fly in Canada
If you are not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a corporation which is incorporated by, or under federal or provincial jurisdiction, this course is for you!
IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK
1. Take a TP15263 compliant ground school
2. Apply for your SFOC with your ground school certificate
– Use this checklist to support your SFOC application.
3. Go Flying
As home to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet, it’s no surprise that Canada attracts thousands of visitors every year. We know you want to fly your drone while in Canada, and we are here to help! Let’s make sure that you are aware of the Canadian regulations before you start firing up your props. Currently, Canadian residents need to acquire either the Basic or Advanced RPAS pilot certification depending on the type of flying they plan to do (more info here). Unfortunately, at this time, these exams can only be taken by Canadians or permanent residents of Canada. While the process for foreign pilots is a little more complicated, it is still possible to get permission to fly if you follow the right steps.
STEP 1: TAKE A GROUND SCHOOL
In order to fly your drone in Canada, you are going to need to prove that you have taken ground school training that meets the Canadian requirements for RPAS pilots (TP15263). A requirement of TP 15263 is that the course is at least 20-hours in length.
Coastal Drone Co has an all-online course for visitors to Canada! Upon completion of the course, which you can do from anywhere, you will receive a certificate of completion that can be used to prove to Transport Canada that you have taken the appropriate course.
STEP 2: FILL OUT AN SFOC APPLICATION
Once you have proof that you have taken the approved course, your final step will to be file for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC). The SFOC will allow you to fly for the duration of your trip at the locations that you specify when you apply. Unlike a pilot’s certificate, the SFOC is limited to certain locations and times, but as long as you specify everywhere you plan on flying beforehand it should be enough to allow you to fly for the entirety of your visit. If you need a hand with filing an SFOC, we are here to help. Check out our guide to SFOC application completion here.
If your operations will take you into advanced environments, you will also need to complete a flight review while you’re in Canada. This is an in-person assessment of your knowledge, documentation and flight skill. Check out our video here for more information! To schedule a foreign pilot flight review with Coastal Drone, send an email to [email protected]
STEP 3: GO FLYING
Once you finish these steps, you will be set to do all the flying you want on your visit up to Canada! It’s important to remember that most SFOCs only last for a limited amount of time, so if you are visiting the country more than once, you may need to file again for each trip you do. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.