CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS
What is Containment?
The objective of the containment requirements is to address the risk of loss of control: the risk of either a crash and fatality on the ground, or a mid-air collision in case of fly-away, outside of the ground risk buffer.
The SORA approach to mitigating the Loss of Control risk is reflected in the 4 criteria that must be met at Medium Robustness. They can be summarised as follows:
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There is a geocaging functionality, a virtual cage, so that the UAS for example stops and hovers when reaching the boundary of the Operational Volume. That geocaging functionality is reliable, it works when it is needed, and it meets certain levels of quality assurance.
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In case the UAS breaches the geocaging and exits the Operational Volume, for whatever reason, there is a Flight Termination System, like a kill switch, that works independently of the UA flight control systems. The kill switch generally cuts the power off and the UAS crashes. It can be manually implemented by the Remote Pilot, or automatic, or both.
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The Flight Termination System is reliable, it works when it is needed, and it meets certain levels of quality assurance.
The purpose of containment is to reduce the risk of fly-away, the UAS crashing outside of the Ground Risk Buffer. UAS designers and manufacturers may have addressed that problem in a different manner, in which case UAS designers and manufacturers may develop an alternative means of compliance for containment.
Containment at Low Robustness is based on the operator's declaration and is simple.
Containment at Medium Robustness is challenging, it requires the review by a RAE-F in the UK.
CONTAINMENT APPLICATION SUPPORT
Who may require containment?
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Drone Operators who would partly rely on their UAS supplier to provide UAS design and/or failure rates
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UAS Designers and Manufacturers to facilitate their product's commercialisation
How we help
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Understanding the SORA Containment requirements
We translate the SORA containment requirements, and support you in developing a clear picture of what your current system already meets and what remains to be addressed.
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Containment demonstration strategy
We help you define a credible approach to containment, including failure-mode analysis, geocaging/geofencing robustness claim , flight termination robustness claim, analysis of operational flying hours and failures, test plan design & evidence generation.
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Documentation for your SORA
We prepare or refine the relevant sections of your application
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Support during engagement with RAE-F and CAA
We assist you in responding to questions from CAA/EASA or national authorities and in defending the containment approach during reviews.
📩 Get in touch to discuss how we can support your compliance journey
WHY WORK WITH US?
We make your regulatory compliance simpler and faster —so you can focus on your growth.
We are subject matter expertise. Hands-on knowledge of drone regulations and their evolution over the last 10 years, SORA approvals, and operational compliance. We stay at the forefront of industry guidance and regulatory changes, ensuring you benefit from accurate, reliable expertise you can trust.
We mutualise our return of experience from multiple ongoing SORA applications. Because we work on numerous SORA applications across different sectors, we see what works, what doesn’t, and what regulators expect. This shared return of experience strengthens every project we deliver, giving you a smoother and more predictable path to approval.
We are reactive and diligent. We know that regulatory timelines can impact your business timeline. That’s why we pride ourselves on fast, focused support, clear communication, and meticulous attention to detail—so your application progresses without delay.
We support both high-level strategy and detailed documentation
Whether you need strategic guidance or help with the practical work—manual reviews, documentation drafting, or compliance checks—we adapt to your level of support. We take care of the administrative and regulatory workload, freeing your team to focus on operations.
We are flexible to your needs and budget
Every organisation is different. We tailor our involvement, deliverables, and pricing to match your objectives, constraints, and resources—ensuring you get effective support without unnecessary cost.
New to the drone market? We accelerate your discovery journey.
Entering the drone ecosystem can feel overwhelming—but we make it simple, structured, and aligned with your goals. We help you:
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Build the essential knowledge and confidence to turn your ideas into meaningful, operational use cases
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Identify exactly where drones can add value within your organisation
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Understand the regulatory pathways that apply to you—starting with the Open Category and beyond
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Gain clarity on which technologies to invest in (and which to avoid)
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Define a robust business case, and anticipate the changes required
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Engage with confidence with your internal and external stakeholders
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Prioritise the “low-hanging fruit” opportunities that deliver quick wins and early success
Anne-Lise Scaillierez, Partner
Anne-Lise Scaillierez is partner at The Drone Office. Anne-Lise draws on 25 years of professional experience in Technology and Defence & Aerospace industries, including in the advancement of autonomous systems. She is also a volunteer as a Director of ARPAS-UK, the UK trade body representing the drone industry.
MEDICAL DRONE DELIVERY
KNOWLEDGE
