The main UK specificity is the air risk classification flow chart, in particular in the UK Class G airspace is considered ARC-c unless proven otherwise. As a reminder SORA stands for "Specific Operations Risk Assessment" of drone, or UAS, operations. Let's recap on the perceived key benefits and challenges of this new safety methodology framework.
Perceived key benefits of UK SORA:
International alignment: the UK version of SORA is very close to JARUS SORA. JARUS is a group of experts, primarily from aviation authorities like the CAA, from ~60 countries.
Enables Complex Operations: Supports BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight), urban operations, and flights near uninvolved people — unlocking new commercial use cases.
Proportionate Risk Assessment: Aligns regulatory requirements with the actual operational risk, making authorisations more achievable for operators.
Standardised Process: Provides a clear, consistent pathway for operators to follow, improving transparency and speeding up regulatory approvals.
Perceived challenges of SORA (and these are not UK specific issues) for the drone industry:
Complexity for SMEs: The detailed and technical nature of the SORA methodology can be daunting for smaller operators without in-house regulatory expertise.
Lack of clarity on expectations in terms of documentation to get the risdk mitigations approved - for now: While the process is standardised, the CAA's expectations in terms of documentation, and evidence to demonstrate the risk mitigations are meant at each level of robustness, are unknown at this stage.
Accessibility of multiple-sites authorisations: the SORA methodology is originally location-specific, meaning the risk analysis is conducted per specific location. That approach is just not sustainable for business as usual aerial data collection. Currently, authorisations are granted for a year. UK SORA provides for multiple site VLOS authorisation, which is a relief. Let's see how it works in practice, for example if and how ground risk mitigations can be implemented in multiple sites applications.
High Bar for BVLOS and Urban Operations: Risk assessments often require robust technical, operational, and safety mitigations — which can be costly and difficult for smaller operators to demonstrate. But then, higher safety comes at a cost.
More to come in the coming weeks as we start using UK SORA. Of course, the aim is that UK SORA becomes a catalyst for unlocking the full potential of the UK drone industry by reducing regulatory barriers while maintaining high safety standards.
The CAA's publication can be accessed HERE.
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