Advanced drone operations in Canada: controlled airspace, near people, EVLOS and sheltered flights
Controlled airspace with NAV Drone, flying near people, declarations, EVLOS, sheltered operations and medium RPA under the 2025 Part IX rules.
Checked against the rules in force on 2026-10-01An Advanced certificate opens up the work most commercial pilots need. Since November 4, 2025 it also covers extended visual line of sight, sheltered operations and medium RPA. Every advanced operation still starts with a site survey.
Controlled airspace
To fly in controlled airspace you need all three:
- an Advanced pilot certificate,
- an RPAS whose manufacturer has made a safety assurance declaration for that operation (shown on your registration), and
- an authorization from NAV CANADA, normally requested through the NAV Drone app.
You must follow any instructions from air traffic services. Flying above 122 m (400 ft) in controlled airspace needs only that authorization, not an SFOC.
Near people and near airports
- 5 m to 30 m from people not involved: Advanced certificate plus an RPAS declared for operations near people.
- Under 5 m, including over people: Advanced certificate plus an RPAS declared for operations over people.
- Within 3 NM of an airport or 1 NM of a heliport: allowed for Advanced pilots who follow the site's established procedure.
The manufacturer is responsible for the declaration; the pilot must operate within it. Modifying the drone, such as adding a heavier battery, can take it outside the declaration.
Extended VLOS (EVLOS)
You may lose sight of the aircraft, but a visual observer keeps watching the airspace around it. EVLOS is allowed only in uncontrolled airspace, with a small RPA, at least 30 m from people not involved, and within 2 NM of the pilot and observer. The observer must hold a pilot certificate.
Sheltered operations
The aircraft flies out of sight but stays within 61 m (200 ft) of a building or structure and no more than 30 m (100 ft) above it. People not involved must stay at least 30 m away, and the RPA must remain within 2 NM of the pilot. Structures weaken the C2 link, so program lost-link behaviour and the return-to-home altitude carefully.
Medium RPA
Drones over 25 kg up to 150 kg fly under advanced rules and must have a safety assurance declaration. In uncontrolled airspace, keep at least 152.4 m (500 ft) from people not involved unless the RPAS is declared for closer operations. When ground visibility is 4 miles or less, a medium RPA may not go farther than half the visibility.
Still needing an SFOC
Advertised events, flights carrying people, more than five aircraft at once, and aircraft over 150 kg all still need a special flight operations certificate.
Sources: CARs 901.62–901.75 · CARs 900.01 · TC AIM RPA 3.4
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Before flying a small RPA in controlled airspace under advanced operations, what must you obtain?
Under the Canadian Aviation Regulations, a sheltered operation is a flight where the RPA is
In which airspace may an advanced pilot conduct an EVLOS operation with a small RPA?
Which item must your site survey take into account before a flight?
You want to fly a small RPA 15 m from bystanders. What is required?
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