Special Flight Operations Certificate: what triggers it
A Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) is Minister-issued authorization required before certain flight operations outside the normal rules (CAR Part VI, Subpart 3).
Four divisions:
| Division | Activity | SFOC needed | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Special aviation event | Yes, except a fly-in | CAR 603.01, 603.02 |
| II | Balloon with fare-paying passengers | Yes | CAR 603.17 |
| III | Parachute descent | Only if a trigger below applies | CAR 602.26, 603.36, 603.37 |
| IV | Miscellaneous operations | Yes for any operation below NOT conducted under Part VII | CAR 603.66, 603.67 |
Special aviation event (CAR 101.01), any of:
| Event | Certificate needed | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Air show | Yes | CAR 603.02 |
| Low-level air race | Yes | CAR 603.02 |
| Aerobatic competition | Yes | CAR 603.02 |
| Balloon festival | Yes | CAR 603.02 |
| Fly-in | No | CAR 603.01 |
Parachute descents (certificate under CAR 603.38, per CAR 603.37). Only for descents:
- into controlled airspace or an air route
- over/into a built-up area or open-air assembly of persons
Miscellaneous operations (certificate under CAR 603.67, per CAR 603.66). Needed for any of:
- Take-off or landing within a built-up area of a city or town, away from an airport, heliport, or military aerodrome
- Aerial application, inspection, or photography below the altitudes/distances in CAR 602.14(2)(a)
- Helicopter Class B, C, or D external-load work over a built-up area or open-air assembly (including below those same 602.14(2)(a) minima)
- Persons entering or leaving a powered aircraft in flight, except parachute descents
Trap: fly-in is a special aviation event, yet the only one needing no certificate.
References
- CARs 101.01 (definitions: special aviation event, fly-in)
- CARs 603.01, 603.02 (special aviation events)
- CARs 603.16, 603.17 (balloons, fare-paying passengers)
- CARs 602.26, 603.36, 603.37 (parachuting)
- CARs 602.14(2)(a), 603.65, 603.66, 603.67 (miscellaneous operations)