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Fast-Track Approvals for SORA SAIL II VLOS Operations
The aim of this initiative is to facilitate and accelerate the approval of low-risk operations, provided that operators fully comply with the applicable requirements and submit complete and properly structured documentation.
Currently, some civil aviation authorities — such as those in Spain and Germany — already offer operators a faster approval pathway (fast track). This procedure can significantly reduce administrative evaluation times, provided that the applicant:
- Complies with all applicable regulatory requirements.
- Submits all required documentation in a complete and structured manner.
- Keeps the documentation updated throughout the entire validity period of the operational authorisation.
How to determine whether an operation qualifies for the fast-track process
In order for an operation to fall within this accelerated approval pathway, several criteria must be met.
1. Operations within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
First, only operations conducted within the visual line of sight of the remote pilot (VLOS) may be considered.
2. Risk assessment according to SORA 2.5
- the Ground Risk Class (GRC), and
- the Air Risk Class (ARC).
Based on this analysis, the Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL) corresponding to the operation is determined. If the result of the assessment classifies the operation as SAIL I or SAIL II, it may qualify for the fast-track approval pathway, as these levels correspond to low-risk operations within the specific category.
During this process, the operator must also define the mitigation measures and their level of robustness, which in some cases may require a declaration of compliance based on the Means of Compliance (MoC) published by EASA.
Accelerate your SORA approval with EU Drone Port
If you are considering applying for a fast-track SORA authorisation for VLOS operations, our team can help you analyse your operation and manage the application to obtain approval as quickly as possible.
The fast-track approval process is an accelerated pathway offered by certain European civil aviation authorities — including Spain and Germany — that allows operators to obtain authorisation for low-risk VLOS operations more quickly, provided that all regulatory requirements are met and documentation is complete and properly structured.
Only VLOS operations whose risk assessment under the SORA 2.5 methodology results in SAIL I or SAIL II may qualify for the fast-track approval pathway, as these levels correspond to low-risk operations within the specific category.
SAIL (Specific Assurance and Integrity Level) is the risk classification resulting from the SORA methodology. SAIL I and SAIL II indicate low-risk operations and are determined by evaluating both the Ground Risk Class (GRC) and the Air Risk Class (ARC) of the intended operation.
Operators must submit a complete and properly structured set of documentation, including the risk assessment following SORA 2.5, the defined mitigation measures and their level of robustness, and — where applicable — a declaration of compliance based on the Means of Compliance (MoC) published by EASA.
The processing time varies depending on the civil aviation authority and the completeness of the documentation submitted. However, when all requirements are fully met, the fast-track procedure can significantly reduce the standard administrative evaluation time.