CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY
SPECIFIC OPERATIONS RISK ASSESSMENT
SORA
The introduction of SORA represents one of the most significant shifts in drone regulation in years.
The Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework enables more complex operations and supports a very broad range of Concept of Operations within the Specific Category, from very small drones to very large cargo drones.
As a result, SORA is complex and broad. However, only Civil Aviation Authorities are required to master SORA in its entirety! Understanding what is and is not relevant to you within SORA is essential.
We guide you through the approval journey, streamline your documentation, and support your compliance so your organisation can move forward efficiently and professionally. Making your SORA risk assessment and application for an Operational Authorisation faster and more straightforward—so your organisation can focus on delivering value with drones.
SORA APPLICATION SUPPORT
Qualification and framing of SORA application - Framing the Authorisation
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Assessment of Ground Risk Class, Air Risk Class and SAIL level of intended operations.
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Assessment of Containment requirements
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Assessment of key gaps, including in terms of access to UAS documentation or functionalities
SORA Application preparation & submission to the Civil Aviation Authority
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Documentation of each component of SORA and of each claim as the application progresses on the CAA application webportal
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Support engagement with the regulator’s team
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Prepare responses to CAA findings in an iterative improvement of claim documentation and safety argument
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Document each OSOs Operational Safety Objectives applicable to the SAIL level
Operations Manual amendment
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Amend the Operations Manual to incorporate the SORA risk assessment methodology as well as the documentation supporting each claim or safety argument in accordance with SORA
TRANSITION FROM OSC TO SORA
We can only encourage drone operators operating an OSC to actively engage and renew their authorisation under SORA ahead of their OA expiration.
The transition is not necessarily complex, but it is different.
Transitioning from OSC to UK SORA is not a simple update, the safety methodology is different.
How different is SORA?
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Did you know that approximately 70% of OSC authorisations in the UK were related to reduced distances from uninvolved people, a concept that does not exist under the SORA safety methodology? SORA quantifies the ground risk from a probabilistic point of view and implicitly accepts overflight.
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Did you know that SORA does not reduce risk to ALARP, as low as reasonable possible. SORA requires a set of risk mitigations so that the operation meets a certain Target Level of Safety.
However, once the SORA fundamentals are well understood, it is absolutely manageable, and could actually offer opportunities to expand your operational envelope.
📩 Get in touch to discuss your transition from OSC to SORA OA and Operations Manual.
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
