Free LUC decision guide
LUC vs SORA: when a Light UAS Operator Certificate pays off
A SORA authorises one operation. A Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) approves your organisation and its safety management system, and can let you authorise your own operations within its terms. If every new mission means a new application and a new wait, it is time to compare the two.
Two models
An operation, or an organisation
Both keep you flying in the specific category. They differ in what the authority approves and how often you go back to it.
SORA authorisation
The authority reviews and authorises one operation, as described in your application. Each new operation or significant change means a new application or amendment.
LUC
The authority approves your organisation, its safety management system and its LUC manual, and may grant you the privilege to authorise your own operations within the terms of approval.
What does not change
You still assess the risk of each operation in line with Article 11, and you still comply with the operational requirements. A LUC is not a blank cheque.
Who can hold one
Only legal persons can hold a LUC. It has unlimited duration while you comply and it is not surrendered or revoked.
Five signals a LUC pays off
Several applications or amendments a year, a concept of operations that keeps changing, contracts that depend on time to market, a mature safety organisation and plans to grow the fleet. Three or more is a strong signal.
What you’ll get
The free LUC vs SORA guide
- Side-by-side comparison of the two models
- What a LUC does not change
- Five signals that a LUC pays off, and when it is too early
- A worksheet to build your business case
- Cost and benefit, with EU Drone Port pricing
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See the LUC service →EU Drone Port LUC services
From assessment to certificate
EU Drone Port prepares LUC, SORA and PDRA applications and supports you with the authority until approval.
Self-authorise
LUC Project
We prepare your organisation and the full LUC file, and coordinate with the authority until your Light UAS Operator Certificate is issued.
- Gap analysis against Part C
- SMS, LUC manual and operations manual
- Privileges document and staff training
- Support until the LUC is issued
€14,950 + VAT
SORA Operational Authorisation
For operations outside the standard scenarios and PDRAs, we prepare the SORA documentation, submit it and defend it with the authority.
- Documentation ready in 30 days
- 98% approval rate
- Approvals in 28 of 31 EASA countries
- Support until approval
From €2,950 + VAT
PDRA Authorisation
We prepare the full PDRA application, submit it with you and answer the inspector until the authorisation is granted.
- All PDRA types
- 100+ PDRAs approved
- Operations manual included
- Support until approval
From €1,950 + VAT
More free guides
More free guides for LUC applicants
FAQ
Questions about LUC and SORA
Does a LUC replace the SORA?
No. A LUC holder still assesses the risk of each operation in line with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947, usually with the SORA methodology. What changes is that, within its privileges, the organisation authorises the operation itself instead of applying to the authority.
Who can apply for a LUC?
Only legal persons. Sole traders cannot hold a LUC.
How long is a LUC valid?
A LUC is issued for an unlimited duration, as long as the holder complies with the regulation and the certificate is not surrendered or revoked.
When is a LUC not worth it?
When one existing authorisation already covers your repeated operation, when your operations fit an STS declaration or a PDRA, or when your organisation does not yet have people in the key safety roles.
How much does a LUC project cost with EU Drone Port?
Our LUC project is priced at €14,950 + VAT. The price may vary with the privileges you request, your experience and your authority.
Last updated: October 2026. Source: Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Annex Part C (UAS.LUC.010 to UAS.LUC.090), and its AMC and GM.
Stop queuing every operation. Free guide.
Find out whether a LUC or more SORAs fit your plans.
50+
Operational authorisations approved
€14,950 + VAT
LUC project
60 days
To a file ready to submit
31
EASA countries