FPV/ Drone Takeover at Tacos and Tequila

I had the opportunity to bring my drone skills to the Tacos and Tequila event — a lively, public gathering full of energy, music, and of course, plenty of tacos and tequila. As an advanced drone pilot in Canada, flying at an advertised event like this isn’t as simple as showing up and launching. Transport Canada regulations require an SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) for flights over or near crowds, and this event was no exception.

This project was a collaborative effort with Greenlight Film Co — Dave MacDonald, Brett Meilleur, Nathan Matthews, and Courtney Sarens. Our aerial team consisted of myself as Drone Pilot and Lindsay Rubin as Visual Observer (VO), working closely with Greenlight’s production crew to capture dynamic, cinematic coverage throughout the night.

In this post, I’ll share what the process looked like, what I learned along the way, and a few tips if you’re thinking about flying at a similar event.

Why an SFOC Was Needed

Since the Tacos and Tequila event was held in a public space with a large number of attendees, it fell under the category of “advertised events” in Transport Canada’s Canadian Aviation Regulations. These situations require more planning and formal permission because they involve flying over people, in controlled spaces, and potentially in more complex airspace.

Without an SFOC, it would have been both illegal and unsafe to operate my drone at this event.

Preparing the Application

Applying for an SFOC isn’t complicated, but it does require attention to detail. Here are the main steps I followed:

✅ Site Survey:

I visited the event site beforehand to assess the area — noting potential hazards, nearby buildings, emergency landing zones, and where people would likely be congregating.

✅ Flight Plan:

I created a detailed plan that included take-off and landing zones, flight paths that minimized time over crowds, and altitude limits that ensured compliance and safety.

✅ Risk Assessment:

I documented potential risks (like sudden gusts of wind, crowd movement, or RF interference) and outlined mitigation strategies.

✅ Team & Equipment Details:

The application included information about our full team — my certifications (Advanced Drone Pilot and Level 1 Complex Ops), Lindsay Rubin as the designated Visual Observer, and how we would coordinate with the Greenlight Film Co crew to ensure the production and aerial work never conflicted.

✅ Emergency Procedures:

We outlined contingency plans, including how to quickly land the drone if someone entered the safety perimeter or if the drone lost connection.

All of this was packaged in Transport Canada's required format, using their recommended SFOC template, and submitted through the appropriate regional office.

The Approval

After submitting the application, I stayed available in case Transport Canada needed clarification or additional information. In this case, the approval came back without issues — though they emphasized following all the conditions outlined in the certificate, like keeping specific distances from the crowd and having an emergency response plan on site.

On the Day of the Event

Working alongside Greenlight Film Co added to the creative energy of the production. Their team — Dave, Brett, Nathan, and Courtney — kept things smooth, organized, and visually cohesive, making it easy for us to integrate aerial cinematography into their coverage.

With the SFOC in hand, Lindsay and I arrived early, walked the site again, and confirmed no changes to layout or risk factors. Having a dedicated VO (Visual Observer) was a huge asset — Lindsay monitored crowd flow, RF interference, and kept communication tight so I could focus entirely on flying safely.

The footage we captured added a unique and dynamic perspective to the event, highlighting not just the energy of the crowd but also the beautiful venue and atmosphere from above.

Lessons Learned & Tips

📄 Start early.

Submit your SFOC at least 30 business days before the event. Mine was approved just 4 days before — so the earlier, the better.

📋 Be thorough.

The more detailed your application, the less likely it is to be returned for revisions.

👥 Work with organizers & production teams.

Clear communication with the event staff and film crew (shoutout to Greenlight Film Co) made the job significantly easier.

🔍 Plan for the unexpected.

Even with a perfect plan, you need to be ready to adjust on the fly (pun absolutely intended).

Final Thoughts

Flying at an event like Tacos and Tequila was a great reminder of how valuable proper preparation and compliance are. Not only does it protect you legally, but it also reassures clients, organizers, and the public that you’re operating professionally and safely.

Huge thanks to the Greenlight Film Co team — Dave MacDonald, Brett Meilleur, Nathan Matthews, and Courtney Sarens — for the collaboration, and to Lindsay Rubin for being a reliable VO and keeping operations safe and smooth.

If you’re an event organizer looking to add aerial coverage to your next big event, or if you’re a drone pilot planning to work at public gatherings, I’d be happy to chat about the process and help you make it a success — safely and legally.

Have questions about SFOCs or need a drone pilot for your event?

Reach out — I’d love to help bring your vision to life from above!