Frequently Asked Questions

• STS (Standard Scenario): predefined operational scenarios with fixed conditions.
• PDRA (Predefined Risk Assessment): predefined risk assessments for specific operation types.
• SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment): a tailored risk assessment for complex or novel operations.

We help determine which framework applies best to your operation and support the full documentation process.

SORA 2.5 is the updated version of the Specific Operations Risk Assessment methodology, active across the EU from late 2025 as SORA 2.0 is phased out.

The most significant change is a higher default ground risk classification. Operations that currently qualify under SAIL II will in most cases be reclassified to SAIL III under SORA 2.5, not because the operation changed, but because the methodology assumes greater ground risk. This translates directly into stricter technical and operational requirements, more complex documentation, and higher costs.

Drone Architect has published a detailed analysis of what SORA 2.5 means in practice. Operators and manufacturers are advised to assess the impact on their current authorisations before the transition deadline.

We prepare or support:

• Operations Manuals
• Concepts of Operations (ConOps)
• SORA and PDRA documentation
• LUC documentation
• supporting safety and mitigation material.

All documentation is aligned with operational reality, not just regulatory theory.

We support organisations preparing for LUC application or maturity progression, including:

• regulatory strategy
• organisational readiness
• documentation and process alignment

We regularly engage with national CAAs, both when supporting operators and through training and advisory roles. Our work is designed to align operator applications with regulatory expectations from the outset.

Processing times vary significantly by EU member state and by the complexity of the operation. In Belgium, applicants should realistically plan for 6 months for a standard SORA authorisation.

Some countries process applications faster, others slower. The quality of the submitted documentation is the single biggest factor you can control. Incomplete or poorly structured submissions typically result in requests for clarification that can add months to the process.

Drone Architect prepares documentation that is aligned with what national Civil Aviation Authorities actually expect, reducing the risk of delays.

No. Drone Architect works exclusively on industrial and commercial drone operations, and on applications for public services within the civil domain. Think of emergency response (fire brigade, police), public transport, inspection of high-voltage power lines and similar public tasks.

Defence applications and operations in a military context fall outside our scope of work.

No. Feel free to choose your drone during the process, or ask us to help you decide. With the “Tailored intake and analysis” module you get advice on which drone suits your operation, so you avoid an expensive mistake. You can even hold off on buying your drone until your authorisation is approved.

In a “Tailored intake and analysis” we review what you have. Sometimes a targeted rework of a few chapters is enough (at an hourly rate). Sometimes starting over with our template is faster (at the standard package price).

Of course, you can. The question is whether you have the time to get to grips with the regulations and work through the feedback rounds with the BCAA. We submit an application the BCAA can work with straight away, almost always with a single feedback round.

No. Every application needs tailoring to your drone, operation and locations. You supply the information, we make sure your documentation is ready to submit.

Yes. Alongside the included standard locations, you also get a template you can fill in yourself for new locations.

No, the decision always lies with the BCAA. We commit to delivering a complete and correct application and to processing the feedback until the BCAA can make a decision.

Yes. BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations are a core area of expertise.

We support BVLOS feasibility studies, regulatory strategy, documentation and authorisation support, including alignment with national Civil Aviation Authorities.

VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) means the remote pilot maintains direct, unaided visual contact with the drone throughout the flight. This is the standard operating condition for most current drone authorisations.

BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) means the drone operates outside the pilot’s direct visual range. BVLOS enables significantly longer range, higher automation levels and large-scale industrial applications, but it requires a more complex authorisation process, additional technical safeguards and, in most cases, a full SORA assessment.

BVLOS is also a core area of expertise at Drone Architect.

Drones add value when they:

• improve safety by reducing human exposure
• increase efficiency or inspection frequency
• provide data that is difficult or costly to obtain otherwise

We help determine where drones make sense and where they do not, based on operational, technical and regulatory feasibility.

We perform independent, vendor-neutral and objective market studies and technology evaluations based on your operational requirements. We do not promote specific vendors and are not tied to any ecosystem.

There are two distinct marking systems that often get confused.

CE marking is the general EU conformity marking required for products to be legally sold on the EU market. It confirms that a product meets applicable EU product safety, health and environmental requirements. This applies broadly — including to drones as a product category.

C-class labels (C0 through C6) are drone-specific class identification labels introduced under EU UAS regulations. These apply exclusively to the Open Category and define which operational conditions a drone may be used in based on its technical specifications. A C1-labelled drone, for example, may fly closer to people than an unlabelled drone.

In the Specific Category – where SORA, PDRA and STS frameworks apply – neither C-class labels nor CE marking are the primary compliance mechanism. What matters here is demonstrating that your drone meets the technical and safety requirements defined in your operational risk assessment. This is done through Means of Compliance (MoC) declarations, test reports and, for higher SAIL levels, potentially a Design Verification Report (DVR) evaluated by EASA.

Which certifications and declarations you need depends on your target SAIL level and containment strategy. Drone Architect can assess this as part of the compliance pathway definition.

How does Drone Architect help drone manufacturers meet EASA compliance requirements?

We support resellers by:

• helping their clients set up compliant operations
• preparing authorisation documentation
• providing regulatory guidance for advanced use cases

This enables faster client onboarding and reduces both support load on reseller teams as well as the time between the client’s pre-order and when the resellers get paid. Most of the time, their clients will only pay after their STS/PDRA/SORA has been approved by the national CAA. This process can take months. By providing compliance document templates, resellers can improve their client’s permit application quality, and speed up permit approval.

It is an advanced training programme for professionals who evaluate, assess or authorise drone operations.

The programme focuses on:

• EU drone regulations and SORA (2.0 and 2.5) methodology
• drone technology and operational realism
• critical evaluation of authorisation documentation

It is designed for evaluators, not for learning how to write documents from scratch.

The training is suitable for:

• staff at Civil Aviation Authorities
• compliance officers at manufacturers and resellers
• regulatory specialists
• internal auditors and evaluators

It is applied and practice-oriented. The programme is spread across several months, depending on your organisation’s calendar, allowing you to immediately apply new insights to real cases alongside your professional responsibilities.

Drone Architect is an independent, vendor-neutral consultancy that supports organisations across Europe with drone integration, regulatory compliance and advanced operations, including BVLOS.

We work at the crossroads of drone technology, EU regulations and real-world operations, helping industry, manufacturers and authorities translate regulatory requirements into operationally realistic solutions.

No. We do not sell drones, software, platforms or flight services.

Our role is strictly advisory. This allows us to remain fully independent and vendor-neutral when evaluating technology, defining requirements or supporting compliance pathways.

We are based in Belgium and support organisations operating in multiple EU member states and work within the European regulatory framework.