Which Operational Scenario Should You Choose for Your Drones Business?

It can be daunting to decide on which operational authorisation application path is most suitable for your business. The 'Specific' category covers all UAS operations outside the low-risk 'Open' category and the highest-risk 'Certified' category conditions. This comprehensive guide provides an overview of all currently applicable operational scenarios in the Specific Category. Hence, this guide covers the standard scenarios and pre-defined and specific operational risk assessments available to UAS operators seeking to conduct operations beyond the limitations of the Open category.

Table of contents:

• Introduction to the Specific Category: Understanding the role of the Specific category in drone operations.
• Standard Scenarios (STS): Overview of STS-01 and STS-02, including operational limits and requirements.
• Pre-Defined Risk Assessments (PDRA): Explanation of PDRA-S01, PDRA-S02, PDRA-G01, PDRA-G02, and PDRA-G03, highlighting their specific use cases.
• Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA): A detailed guide to the SORA process and its application.
• Choosing the Right Operational Framework: Guidance on selecting the appropriate framework for your drone operations.
• Next Steps: Information on how to get assistance with training, consultancy, and operations manual preparation for Specific category operations.

Understanding Operational Frameworks

Standard Scenarios (STS)

Standard Scenarios provide a simplified path for UAS operators to conduct specific types of operations without requiring a complex risk assessment and using a declaratory approach.

STS-01: Operations Over Controlled Ground Areas in Populated Environments

• Key Characteristics:
  • Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations only.
  • Operations over controlled ground areas, which include flight geography, contingency volume, and ground risk buffer.
  • May be located in populated and urban environments.
  • Maximum height of 120 meters.
  • Class C5 marked drone required with a maximum ground speed of 5 m/s for untethered UA.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • Remote pilot must hold a "Remote Pilot Certificate of Theoretical Knowledge for STSs".
  • Must have completed practical skills training for STS-01

Read more about STS-01

STS-02: BVLOS Operations with Airspace Observers

• Key Characteristics:
  • Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations with airspace observers.
  • Operations over controlled ground areas in sparsely populated environments.
  • UAS is flying in a preprogrammed flight path when not in VLOS.
  • Maximum height of 120 meters.
  • Class C6 marked drone required.
• Range Limitations:
  • Without airspace observers: maximum 1 km from the remote pilot.
  • With airspace observers: maximum 2 km from the remote pilot.
  • UA must not be operated further than 1 km from the nearest airspace observer
• Special Requirements:
  • Minimum flight visibility of at least 5 km.
  • Robust communication between pilot in command and airspace observers.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • Remote pilot must hold a "Remote Pilot Certificate of Theoretical Knowledge for STSs".
  • Must have completed practical skills training for STS-02.

Read more about STS-02

PDRA-S Series (Standard Scenarios Converted to PDRAs)

The PDRA-S series are derived from standard scenarios and converted to Pre-Defined Risk Assessments so that operators can use drones without CIL.

PDRA-S01: VLOS Operations Over Controlled Ground Areas

• Key Characteristics:
  • Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations only.
  • Operations over controlled ground areas.
  • Maximum UA dimension of less than 3 meters.
  • Maximum height of 150 meters
  • Class C3 or C5 UAS identification label is not required. However, other conditions must still be met for these unmanned aircraft systems.
  • UAS with a maximum ground speed of 5 m/s for untethered UA.
• Operational Area:
  • For tethered UA operations: area with a radius equal to tether length plus 5 meters.
  • Ground risk buffer depends on the height and weight of the UA.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • Remote pilot must hold a "Remote Pilot Certificate of Theoretical Knowledge for STSs" or equivalent.
  • Must have completed practical skills training for STS-01.

Read more about PDRA-S01

PDRA-S02: BVLOS Operations with Extended Visual Range

• Key Characteristics:
  • Operations up to 2 kilometres from the remote pilot in command.
  • UA must be kept in sight during launch and recovery.
  • Operations primarily in uncontrolled airspace.
  • MTOM less than 25 kg.
  • Maximum ground speed up to 50 m/s.
• Range Limitations:
  • Without airspace observers: maximum 1 km from the remote pilot.
  • With airspace observers: maximum 2 km from the remote pilot.
  • Maximum distance between any AO and remote pilot: 1 km.
• Operational Planning:
  • Operational volume must consider position-keeping capabilities in 4D space.
  • A ground risk buffer must be established. This distance should be at least equal to the distance most likely travelled by the UA after flight termination activation.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • Remote pilot must hold a "Remote Pilot Certificate of Theoretical Knowledge for STSs" or equivalent.
  • Must have completed practical skills training for STS-02.

Read more about PDRA-S02

PDRA-G Series (Generic Pre-Defined Risk Assessments)

The PDRA-G series consists of generic Pre-Defined Risk Assessments that allow for various specialised operations.

PDRA-G01: Surveillance and Long Range Cargo Operations

• Key Characteristics:
  • Operations over sparsely populated areas.
  • Maximum UA dimension of 3 meters.
  • Maximum kinetic energy of 34 kJ.
  • Maximum height of 150 meters (500 ft).
• Airspace Requirements:
  • Operations in segregated (ARC-a) or uncontrolled airspace (ARC-b).
  • Flight visibility greater than 5 km.
• Range and Observers:
  • The maximum range from pilot in command is not limited when using airspace observers.
  • UA must not be operated further than 1 km from the nearest AO.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • Remote pilot must hold a "Remote Pilot Certificate of Theoretical Knowledge for STSs" or equivalent.
  • Must have completed practical skills training.

Read more about PDRA-G01

PDRA-G02: Operations in Reserved or Segregated Airspace

• Key Characteristics:
  • Operations over sparsely populated areas.
  • Maximum UA dimension of 3 meters.
  • Maximum kinetic energy of 34 kJ.
  • Operations in reserved or segregated airspace only (ARC-a).
• Operational Requirements:
  • No autonomous operations.
  • Only one UA per remote pilot.
  • Launch and recovery within VLOS.
  • In-flight operations within direct C2 link coverage
• Risk Classification:
  • Ground Risk Class (GRC): 3.
  • Air Risk Class (ARC): ARC-a.
  • Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL): II.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • Remote pilot must hold a "Remote Pilot Certificate of Theoretical Knowledge for STSs" or equivalent.
  • Must have completed practical skills training.

Read more about PDRA-G02

PDRA-G03: Linear Infrastructure Inspections and Agricultural Works

• Key Characteristics:
  • Operations over sparsely populated areas.
  • Operations over or near infrastructure/facilities.
  • Maximum UA dimension of 3 meters.
  • Maximum kinetic energy of 34 kJ.
• Flight Path Planning:
  • Preprogrammed flight path or preplanned flexible routes.
  • Operations within C2 link direct coverage.
  • Operations in 'atypical airspace'.
• Atypical Airspace Definitions:
  • Reserved or segregated airspace.
  • Flight geography less than 30m in height AGL.
  • Specific clearances from obstacles.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • Remote pilot must hold a "Remote Pilot Certificate of Theoretical Knowledge for STSs" or equivalent.
  • Must have completed practical skills training.

Read more about PDRA-G03

Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA)

The SORA is the foundational methodical risk assessment framework for evaluating the safety of all drone operations in the 'specific' category.

• Purpose:
  • Evaluate risks and determine the acceptability of proposed operations.
  • Provides a consistent approach to risk assessment.
  • Guides operators and authorities in safety determination.
  • Helps identify appropriate mitigations.
• 10-Step Process:
  1. ConOps Description: Detailed operation plan.
  2. Determination of Intrinsic Ground Risk Class (GRC).
  3. Final GRC Determination through applied mitigations.
  4. Determination of Initial Air Risk Class (ARC).
  5. Application of Strategic Mitigations.
  6. TMPR and Robustness Levels assessment.
  7. SAIL Determination.
  8. Identification of Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs).
  9. Adjacent Area/Airspace Considerations.
  10. Comprehensive Safety Portfolio compilation.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • Remote pilot must hold a "Remote Pilot Certificate of Theoretical Knowledge for STSs" or equivalent.
  • Must have completed practical skills training.

Read more about SORA

Choosing the Right Operational Framework

The selection of an appropriate operational framework depends on several factors:

• Operation Type:
  • Photo or video operations in a city environment? Consider STS-01 or PDRA-S01
  • Linear infrastructure inspection? Consider PDRA-G03
  • Surveillance operations? Consider PDRA-G01
  • Operations over controlled ground areas? Consider STS-01 or PDRA-S01
• Operation Range:
  • VLOS operations? Consider STS-01 or PDRA-S01
  • Extended range up to 2km? Consider PDRA-S02 or STS-02
  • Beyond 2km with airspace observers? Consider PDRA-G01
• Environment:
  • Operations in populated areas? Consider STS-01 or PDRA-01
  • Operations in sparsely populated areas? Consider PDRAs G01, G02, or G03.
• Airspace:
  • Operations in reserved or segregated airspace? Consider PDRA-G02.
  • Operations in controlled airspace? Verify compatibility with the chosen framework.

Contact Us Today

Navigating the complexities of the Specific category can be challenging. Our company provides comprehensive training, consultancy services, and operations manual preparation to ensure your drone operations comply with all regulatory requirements. Whether you're planning VLOS operations in populated areas or long-range infrastructure inspections, our expert team can guide you through the appropriate framework selection, risk assessment process, and documentation requirements.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you implement safe, legal, and efficient drone operations under any of these operational scenarios. Our tailored solutions will help you maximise your operational capabilities while ensuring full regulatory compliance.

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