SORA guide

The Specific Operations Risk Assessment commonly known as SORA is a comprehensive risk analysis which will allow the civil aviation authorities (CAA) to understand the risks related to a specific drone operation. This evaluation classifies the risk of the overall operation in 6 levels (SAILs) proportionate to the level of risk of the overall operation. The lowest will correspond to very low risk operation similar to those of low weight drones operated in the open category while the highest will correspond to risks similar to the ones of the certified manned aircraft (EASA Part 21).

The SORA will help you and your CAA understand which risks underlie your operation and will then inform you on what must be done in order to ensure safety of the operation. For a SAIL I operation, you will have, for instance, to show basic maintenance and procedures, while at a SAIL VI, the SORA methodology will require your aircraft to be certified, your procedures to be verified and your pilots to undergo extensive trainings. The Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs) will inform you about the requirements for your specific operation (Maintenance, Training, Procedures, Design, Manufacturing etc…) depending on your exact risk level.

For practical tips on how to write a SORA, we have also published a shorter article: Ten tips to successfully and rapidly obtain a SORA authorisation.

“It is an excellent document which summarizes very well the issues of SORA, opens up on the expectations of the various uropean authorities and shows where the support of an aeronautical expert can help”

Jean-Eric Chevillot – Global expert of airborne mission systems