Operational Authorisation

In this site you can find:

• Where to apply for an operational authorisation
• What is to be provided in the application
• Operational authorisation with a PDRA 
• Operational authorisation without a PDRA 
• Authorising an operational application 
• Validity of an authorisation
• Stay informed

The operational authorisation is required for all UAS operations in the ‘specific’ category (unless covered by a STS or the drone operator has a LUC with appropriate privileges). It defines the conditions the operator must observe when conduct all flights in the operation:

Where to apply?

The applicant needs to apply to the National Aviation Authority (NAA) in the state where he/she is registered as an operator. 

What is to be provided in the application for the operational authorisation?

A duly filled application form, a copy of the operator manual and of the compliance evidence document whose content vary depending on the risk of operation. For example for low risk operations they may be very small and simple. The operator manual should contain all information that the staff of the operator should know in order to ensure the safety of the operation. It contains a detailed description of the intended operations, as well as an insight of the organization’s culture and the operating procedures.

Operational authorisation with a PDRA

If the operation you intend to conduct is covered by one of the published PDRAs you need to submit to the NAA a copy of the:

• your  application form, 
• a table of the desired PDRA, duly filled in 
• the operator manual.

The PDRA table helps you to develop the operator manual that should contain all information that a staff of the operator should know in order to ensure the safety of the operation. It contains a detailed description of the intended operations, as well as an insight of the organization’s culture and the operating procedures.

Operational authorisation without a PDRA

If the operation intended to be conducted is not covered by any PDRA you need to firstly carry out a specific risk assessment. Regulation (EU) 2019/947 proposes the SORA (specific operational risk assessment) methodology to be used for this purpose. You can find the SORA As the AMC 1 to Article 11 to Regulation 2019/947

This methodology helps to identify the risk level of the operation and also to identify the mitigations and operational safety objectives needed to make the operation safe. When the drone operator believes to have properly classified the operation he/she should contact the National Aviation Authority to apply for an operational authorization and have the NAA to review the risk assessment.

Then the drone operator should demonstrate compliance with all mitigations and safety objectives to be ready for completing the application. 

The main requirements of this risk assessment can be found in article 11 of the EU regulations 2019/947. 

At this moment the UAS operator needs to submit to the NAA a copy of:

• your application form from the NAA, 
• the risk assessment and compliance evidences
• the operator manual.

Authorising an operational application

(Article 12 of regulation (EU) 2019/947)
The NAA will issue an operational authorisation, when it considers that the risks are adequately mitigated. Then it will provide the drone operator with the operational authorisation as soon as possible, and the operation can then start. See below If you want to operate in a state different from the state of registration.

Validity of an authorisation

The operational authorisation will be valid in all EASA member state for all flights conducted within the limitations and duration defined in the authorisation. However, the NAA may impose a limitation in time and/or number of flights. 
Operation in a state different from the state of registration (Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947) please see the dedicated page.

For additional information please contact the team.