There is more than one way through the specific category. The right route depends on how closely your operation fits something already assessed.
The short version
| Route | Procedure | Fits when |
|---|---|---|
| STS (standard scenario) | Declaration | Your flight and your class-marked drone exactly fit the scenario |
| PDRA (predefined risk assessment) | Application with less work | Your operation fits a scenario, but the drone lacks the class mark |
| SORA | Full application | Nothing predefined fits |
Standard scenarios
EASA has two standard scenarios, available since 1 January 2024:
- STS-01: visual line of sight over a controlled ground area in a populated environment, with a C5-marked drone.
- STS-02: beyond visual line of sight over a controlled ground area in a sparsely populated environment, with a C6-marked drone. Flights may reach up to 1 km from the remote pilot, or 2 km with airspace observers.
You submit a declaration. You still need an operations manual, and your pilots need to pass the theoretical and practical requirements for the scenario.
The catch is the class mark. Without a C5 or C6 drone, STS is not available.
PDRA
Predefined risk assessments, published by EASA, are risk assessments done in advance for a set type of operation. PDRA-S01 and PDRA-S02 mirror the two standard scenarios but do not need the C5 or C6 mark. A PDRA still requires an operational authorisation, but you start from a completed assessment and show that you meet its conditions.
Full SORA
When neither fits, SORA is the general-purpose route. It takes the most work, but it covers the widest range of operations, including higher speeds, higher-density areas and aircraft that do not match a scenario.
How to choose
- Could this fly in the open category? If so, you may need nothing further.
- Do the flight and the drone fit STS-01 or STS-02 exactly? Declare.
- Does the flight fit, but the drone does not? Look at the PDRAs.
- Otherwise, you are looking at a SORA.
And think ahead. If you expect to expand to other kinds of missions, a SORA now may give you more room to grow and more to reuse later, even if a narrower route would do for today.