The UK’s Introduction of Specific Operations Risk Assessment: Changing the Operational Authorisation Application Process

As of 5 March 2025, the UK drone sector is bracing for a significant regulatory overhaul as the Civil Aviation Authority—the UK’s aviation regulator—introduces the Specific Operations Risk Assessment as an acceptable method to comply with Article 11 of the retained EU regulation governing unmanned aircraft systems (UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947). This change will redefine how drone operators apply for operational authorisations in the Specific Category, which covers moderate-risk operations beyond the low-risk Open Category. The current process, known as the Operating Safety Case, will transition into a more streamlined framework aligned with the UK Operator Registration Authority using the Specific Operations Risk Assessment. Set to launch in 2025 alongside a new digital application platform, this methodology—developed by the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems, an international group harmonising drone rules—aims to boost consistency and efficiency for complex operations, such as flights where the pilot cannot see the aircraft, commonly referred to as Beyond Visual Line of Sight. This article explores how this shift will transform the application process, compares it to the existing system, explains key concepts in detail, and concludes with how Drone Docs is ready to assist operators through this transition.

The Current Operating Safety Case Application Process: A Closer Look

Currently, in the Specific Category, operators use the Operating Safety Case—detailed in the Civil Aviation Authority’s guidance document CAP 722A—to obtain operational authorisations. This qualitative risk assessment requires operators to demonstrate that their proposed flights pose an acceptable level of safety. The process involves:

1. Documentation: Operators compile an Operations Manual, a comprehensive guide to their procedures, alongside risk assessments and evidence such as pilot training records and unmanned aircraft system maintenance logs.

2. Submission: Applications are submitted through a basic online portal or email, often requiring manual formatting to meet CAP 722A templates.

3. Review: The Civil Aviation Authority assesses the submission for safety and completeness, frequently requesting clarifications from operators in an iterative exchange.

4. Approval: Upon approval, an authorisation is issued, typically valid for 12 months, with ongoing compliance checks.

The Operating Safety Case’s reliance on narrative risk descriptions offers flexibility but lacks uniformity. Operators interpret broad guidelines differently, leading to inconsistent applications, review times stretching from weeks to months, and costs that vary—particularly for Beyond Visual Line of Sight or urban operations.

Specific Operations Risk Assessment: A Structured, Quantitative Shift

The Specific Operations Risk Assessment introduces a globally recognised, quantitative approach, set to launch in the UK in 2025 following a consultation ending 6 September 2024 and its publication as an acceptable method of compliance in Q4 2024. It categorises risks into Ground Risk Class, which assesses dangers to people and property below based on factors like population density and aircraft characteristics, and Air Risk Class, which evaluates collision risks with manned aircraft in the operational airspace. These combine to assign a Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (ranging from I to VI), determining 24 Operational Safety Objectives—specific safety requirements like crew training or system redundancies. Here’s how it changes the application process:

Key Changes to the Application Process

Risk Assessment Approach:

Current (Operating Safety Case): Operators craft a qualitative risk narrative, identifying hazards (e.g., collisions) and mitigations (e.g., pilot training) without a numerical framework.

Specific Operations Risk Assessment: Operators follow a 10-step process, calculating Ground Risk Class (e.g., based on population density) and Air Risk Class (e.g., airspace traffic) to determine a Specific Assurance and Integrity Level. Higher levels (e.g., IV-VI) require robust Operational Safety Objectives, such as emergency response plans or aircraft redundancies.

Application Submission:

• Current (Operating Safety Case): Submissions involve uploading varied documents via a basic portal, often manually formatted.

  
  

• Specific Operations Risk Assessment: The 2025 UK Specific Operations Risk Assessment Application Service, a digital platform, guides operators through the process, standardising inputs and integrating validations (e.g., from Recognised Assessment Entities, independent bodies verifying aircraft airworthiness), reducing errors.

Evidence Requirements

Current (Operating Safety Case): Evidence is operator-defined, risking over- or under-submission due to unclear guidance

Specific Operations Risk Assessment: Operational Safety Objectives specify precise evidence—e.g., manufacturer declarations for lower Specific Assurance and Integrity Levels (I-II), or Design Verification Reports, detailed technical validations, for higher levels—ensuring consistency.

Processing and Costs:

• Current (Operating Safety Case): Reviews can take weeks to months, with costs fluctuating by complexity.

  
  

• Specific Operations Risk Assessment: The digital platform promises faster approvals, with costs to be outlined in a 2025 Scheme of Charges consultation—potentially higher initially but offset by efficiency gains.

Transition Phase

Current (Operating Safety Case): This governs all applications until the new system’s rollout.

Specific Operations Risk Assessment: A transitional period will allow existing authorisations to convert to the new framework, avoiding abrupt disruption.

Comparing the Two Systems

Standardisation: The Specific Operations Risk Assessment’s rigid structure offers uniformity, unlike the Operating Safety Case’s flexible but ambiguous approach—favouring complex operations but potentially overcomplicating simpler ones.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative: The Specific Assurance and Integrity Level’s numerical scores provide clarity, contrasting with the Operating Safety Case’s descriptive style, requiring operators to adapt technically.

• Digital Integration: The new platform modernises the Operating Safety Case’s paper-heavy process, demanding digital skills.

  
  

• Global Alignment: The Specific Operations Risk Assessment aligns the UK with international norms (e.g., the European Union Aviation Safety Agency), unlike the UK-specific Operating Safety Case, aiding cross-border operations.

  
  

Implications for Operators

This shift enhances efficiency and predictability but requires operators to learn a quantitative system, possibly needing training or consultancy. The digital platform simplifies submissions, but complex Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations may demand advanced mitigations (e.g., containment systems). Costs may rise initially due to new standards, though faster processing could reduce long-term expenses. The Civil Aviation Authority’s focus on scalable Beyond Visual Line of Sight aligns with this framework, benefiting sectors like logistics and inspection, but operators must avoid mixing old and new methods during the transition to prevent rejections.

Drone Docs—Your Compliance Partner

With the Specific Operations Risk Assessment reshaping UK drone regulations in 2025, Drone Docs is here to ensure your renewal is seamless. Our team excels at converting Operating Safety Case authorisations to the new standards, delivering tailored Operations Manuals, securing required evidence for Operational Safety Objectives, and navigating the digital platform. Don’t let regulatory changes ground your operations—partner with Drone Docs to stay compliant and ready for the future. Contact us today to prepare for 2025!

Resources

Civil Aviation Authority Drone Regulations https://www.caa.co.uk/drones – Official UK drone rules and updates.

CAP 722A: Operating Safety Case Guidance https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722A.pdf – Current framework details.

Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems Specific Operations Risk Assessment Overview] http://jarus-rpas.org/sites/jarus-rpas.org/files/jar_doc_06_jarus_sora_v2.0.pdf) – Detailed methodology.

UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2019/947 – Legal text for unmanned aircraft system operations.

Civil Aviation Authority Consultation on Specific Operations Risk Assessment https://consultations.caa.co.uk/ – Updates on adoption (check 2024 archives).