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Elevating Live Sports with Drones: First Class Drones at Toronto’s Super Tri

  • Writer: Josh Dusang
    Josh Dusang
  • Aug 12
  • 4 min read
 Full Race Replay of the 2025 Super Tri League in Toronto

In July 2025, Toronto hosted the Super Tri, a global triathlon series presented by Aurora Media Worldwide. Bringing together elite athletes in swimming, cycling, and running, the event transformed Toronto’s urban core into a dynamic course with an international broadcast audience in mind. For First Class Drones, it was a major opportunity to contribute live aerial coverage to a world-class production.


As the official drone team supporting Aurora Media’s broadcast, we were tasked with capturing real time drone footage under tight technical requirements and regulatory constraints. From initial test flights to final sign-offs, our work was a blend of cinematic creativity, compliance, and precision execution.

 

Planning for Live Success: Frequency Coordination and Drone Airspace Management


Live event environments present a complex RF landscape, particularly with multiple transmission systems in play. To ensure reliable signal performance, we submitted our assigned frequencies for approval well in advance, coordinating closely with Aurora Media’s broadcast operations.


Our team also established a dedicated takeoff and landing zone, protected by safety perimeters and staffed with ground crew to maintain safety and situational awareness throughout the day. As the event took place in a populated downtown area, our operations followed Transport Canada guidelines, including the use of an SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) for advertised events, which is required for advanced drone activities near or over crowds.


To maintain separation from restricted airspace, we positioned our team strategically north of Lakeshore Boulevard, avoiding any proximity to lakefront airspace constraints and ensuring full regulatory compliance throughout the production.

 

Behind the Scenes: During the Broadcast

Equipment Strategy: Sub 250g FPV and Parachute Equipped DJI Mavic


Our aerial strategy centred around two key drone platforms, each selected for a specific role:


•    Sub-250g FPV drones, custom-built and outfitted with DJI O4 Pro air units, delivered low-latency, high definition live feeds with immersive and fast paced visuals during the cycling and running portions of the race.

•    DJI Mavic drones, each fitted with an ASTM F3322-compliant parachute system, were reserved for overhead crowd coverage, transitional b-roll, sponsor slates, and pre-race broadcast segments.


The FPV units gave producers dynamic options for capturing the race as it unfolded, following athletes in motion and weaving through the course in ways traditional cameras couldn’t. Meanwhile, the Mavic platforms ensured high resolution stabilization for cinematic establishing shots and overlays, contributing to the overall visual identity of the show.

 

Broadcast Integration: Timing, Responsiveness, and Collaboration


We worked directly with Adam Richardson from Aerios Solutions (UK), Aurora Media’s lead drone operator, to integrate into the live production workflow. Prior to race day, we participated in production calls, completed a full test day, and aligned on comms, program feeds, and camera switching protocols.


Throughout the event, we responded to cues from the control room, deploying only one drone at a time while maintaining a second drone prepped and hot for immediate launch. This hot-swap workflow ensured minimal downtime and allowed us to respond within seconds to developing storylines and coverage needs.


Whether tracking a cyclist surge or capturing slates for transitions, our team operated with broadcast precision, seamlessly delivering shots exactly when they were needed.


Behind the scenes of the broadcast trailer
Behind the scenes of the broadcast trailer

Technical Learnings: Line of Sight and Signal Optimization


Initially, our base station was slightly tucked away for discretion and equipment protection. However, we found that more exposed positioning gave us dramatically improved clarity and reduced interference, especially with the DJI O4 system.


We adapted our flight zone accordingly to ensure continuous video link and clear visual line of sight (VLOS) throughout the race day. These small operational adjustments were essential in maintaining consistent, high-quality feeds for live integration.

 

Safety and Compliance: Built Into Every Flight


Every aspect of our operation adhered to Canadian drone regulations. By equipping our DJI Mavics with ASTM-rated parachute systems, we enabled legal flight over people under complex urban conditions. Our FPV systems, under 250 grams, allowed us to operate in tighter proximity while still ensuring full compliance with Transport Canada’s advanced operations framework.


All flights were conducted within VLOS and inside our designated operating zone, which was clearly marked and monitored by ground crew for situational awareness and crowd safety.


Quick Recap: Our Shots from the Live Broadcast

A Proven Model for Live Sports Coverage


The feedback we received from the broadcast team was overwhelmingly positive. They praised our ability to deliver high quality aerials, quickly respond to shifting coverage needs, and contribute meaningfully to the live storytelling of the race.


Events like the Super Tri demonstrate how drone teams can play a vital role in modern broadcasting. At First Class Drones, we’re proud to have helped bring Toronto’s leg of the Super Tri to global audiences, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what live aerial coverage can do for sports, entertainment, and major public events.

 

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