UK SORA Risk Assessment 2026: Guide for OA Applicants

Piyo 🐣: "What's this SORA thing? The CAA keeps asking about it, but I don't understand what they want..."

What is SORA?

Definition

SORA (Specific Operation Risk Assessment) is the CAA's standardized methodology for evaluating the safety of individual drone operations. It's based on EASA principles and tailored to UK airspace.

Why SORA Matters

✅ Predictability: Following SORA = higher approval odds ✅ Credibility: Demonstrates you understand risk management ✅ CAA template: CAA uses SORA internally; align with their thinking

SORA Methodology: The 5-Step Process

Step 1: Identify the Operation

Define clearly:

Element	Define
What	Aerial survey, roof inspection, delivery, etc.
Where	Specific location (grid reference, map)
When	Date/time of operation
Who	Pilot name, experience, qualifications
How	Altitude, distance from people, duration
Equipment	Drone type, weight, sensors

Example:

> "Aerial survey of 10-hectare farm near Tiverton, Devon (grid ref SX...). Operation date: 15 April 2026, 10:00–12:00 UTC. Pilot: John Smith (PfCO, 500+ hours). DJI Phantom 4 Pro. Altitude: 50m AGL. Distance from people: 100m minimum. Purpose: Orthophoto creation for land management plan."

Step 2: Ground Risk Assessment

Question: "What's the risk if the drone falls and crashes at ground level?" Ground Risk Matrix:

Risk Factor	Low Risk	Medium Risk	High Risk
Populated area	Rural, <10 people	Suburban, 10–100 people	Urban, 100+ people
Building density	Sparse buildings	Medium density	Dense/urban
Vehicle traffic	No vehicles	Light traffic	Heavy traffic
Water bodies	Absent	Present	Adjacent to operation
Protected areas	None	Some	Multiple (heritage, nature)

Rating: Combine factors → Overall ground risk (Low/Medium/High) Your score: Enter on SORA matrix

Step 3: Air Risk Assessment

Question: "What's the risk of hitting another aircraft?" Air Risk Factors:

Factor	Low Risk	Medium Risk	High Risk
Airspace class	Class G (uncontrolled)	Class D/E (mixed)	Class A/B/C (busy)
Proximity to aerodrome	>5km	2–5km	<2km
Manned traffic	None expected	Occasional helicopters	Regular fixed-wing
Altitude band	<50m AGL	50–150m AGL	>150m AGL
Time of operation	Off-peak (early morning)	Standard hours	Peak hours (midday)

Mitigation: Coordinate with ATC (if near aerodromes) Your score: Enter on SORA matrix

Step 4: Risk Mitigation Measures

For each risk identified, propose mitigation:

Risk	Mitigation	Effectiveness
People on ground	Establish 100m exclusion zone; briefing	Reduces ground impact
Manned aircraft collision	Brief airspace controller; monitor NOTAM	Reduces air collision
Equipment failure	Pre-flight inspection; redundant systems	Reduces failure probability
Weather hazard	Wind <12 knots limit; weather monitoring	Reduces weather-related loss
Loss of control	Visual line of sight; observer present	Restores control likelihood

Key: For every risk, explain HOW you'll reduce it

Step 5: Residual Risk Determination

After mitigations, what's the remaining risk? SORA Final Rating:

Residual Risk	CAA Action
Low	Automatic approval (standard conditions)
Medium	Conditional approval (additional requirements)
High	Exemption required (detailed case submission)

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SORA Matrix: Visual Tool

Ground Risk vs. Air Risk

`` Air Risk Low Medium High Ground Risk Low ✅✅ ✅✅ ✅✅ Auto Auto+ Exempt Medium ✅✅ ⚠️⚠️ ⚠️⚠️ Auto+ Exempt Exempt High ⚠️⚠️ ⚠️⚠️ ❌❌ Exempt Exempt Likely Rejected ``

Legend:

• ✅✅ = Low overall risk (automatic approval)
• ⚠️⚠️ = Medium overall risk (conditional/exemption)
• ❌❌ = High overall risk (likely rejection)

Your Operation Example: Tiverton Farm

• Ground Risk: Low (rural, sparse buildings, <10 people within 100m)
• Air Risk: Low (>5km from aerodrome, 50m altitude, uncontrolled airspace)
• Combined: Low/Low = Automatic Approval ✅✅

SORA Document Structure

Professional SORA Report (CAA Format)

Section 1: Executive Summary
• Operation description (2–3 sentences)
• Overall risk rating (Low/Medium/High)
• Key mitigation measures

Section 2: Operation Details
• Location (grid reference, map)
• Date/time of operation
• Pilot qualifications
• Aircraft specifications
• Intended flight profile

Section 3: Ground Risk Assessment

Hazard	Rating	Justification	Mitigation
Populated areas	Low	100m exclusion; rural area	Briefing + barriers
Buildings	Low	Sparse, no urban density	Navigation planning
Vehicle traffic	Low	Private farmland; no public access	Access control
Water/hazardous sites	Low	Drainage ditches only	Marked on map

Section 4: Air Risk Assessment

Hazard	Rating	Justification	Mitigation
Airspace class	Low	Class G; uncontrolled	Airspace check completed
Aerodromes	Low	12km from nearest (Exeter)	Outside 5km buffer
Manned aircraft	Low	Agricultural area; no traffic	NOTAM check; radio monitor
Altitude conflicts	Low	50m AGL < typical traffic	Safe below flight corridors

Section 5: Residual Risk
• Overall rating: Low
• Approval type: Standard conditions
• Conditions: Weather minimums, observer present, etc.

Section 6: References
• CAA regulations cited
• Safety data supporting mitigations
• Pilot training records reference

Common SORA Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1: "I'll skip the ground risk assessment"

• Outcome: CAA rejects application (incomplete documentation)
• Fix: Assess every risk factor systematically

❌ Mistake 2: "My mitigation is just 'be careful'"

• Outcome: CAA marks mitigations as vague; requests details
• Fix: Specific actions (briefing 20 minutes before flight, observer positioned at..., exclusion zone barriers at...)

❌ Mistake 3: "I'll rate everything as 'low risk' to speed approval"

• Outcome: CAA recognizes unrealistic assessment; rejects application
• Fix: Honest assessment (even medium-risk operations can be approved if mitigated properly)

❌ Mistake 4: "I don't need to check NOTAMs or airspace restrictions"

• Outcome: Flight during military exercise or emergency TFR; £40,000 fine
• Fix: Always check NOTAMs 24 hours before operation

❌ Mistake 5: "My previous SORA from 2024 still applies"

• Outcome: Conditions may have changed; operating under old rules = non-compliance
• Fix: Review/refresh SORA annually (especially if location/aircraft changes)

SORA for Different Operation Types

Type 1: Roof Inspection (Rural Building)

Ground Risk: Low (sparse buildings, no crowds) Air Risk: Low (rural, <50m altitude, <5km from aerodromes) Outcome: Low/Low = Auto-Approval ✅ Typical mitigations:
• Observer present (monitor ground hazards)
• Exclusion zone 30m (building proximity)
• Weather minimums (wind <15 knots)

Type 2: Aerial Survey (Suburban)

Ground Risk: Medium (some buildings, moderate population density) Air Risk: Low (50m altitude, uncontrolled airspace) Outcome: Medium/Low = Conditional Approval ⚠️ Additional requirements:
• Risk assessment detailed (hazard map)
• Briefing document (for local residents, if required)
• Insurance verified (£5m+)
• Weather contingency plan

Type 3: Event Filming (City Center Festival)

Ground Risk: High (crowds, buildings, vehicles, public infrastructure) Air Risk: Medium (50–100m altitude, busy airspace) Outcome: High/Medium = Exemption Required ⚠️ Extensive requirements:
• Comprehensive SORA (20+ pages)
• Crowd management plan (barriers, observers)
• Emergency procedures (landing zones identified)
• Police/local authority coordination
• Insurance (£10m+)
• Pilot experience (500+ hours)

FAQ (Schema.org FAQPage)