Free PDRA guide

The PDRA types explained

EASA publishes pre-defined risk assessments for common specific category operations. If your operation meets every condition of one, you apply for authorisation without a full SORA. There are two families: the S-type PDRAs that mirror the standard scenarios, and the G-type PDRAs for BVLOS in sparsely populated areas.

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The EASA PDRAs

Each PDRA at a glance

Check the full current conditions on the EASA website before you apply. EASA updates and adds PDRAs over time.

PDRAOperationKey conditions
PDRA-S01VLOSControlled ground area, can be in a populated environment
PDRA-S02BVLOSControlled ground area, sparsely populated, up to 1 km or 2 km with airspace observers
PDRA-G01BVLOSSparsely populated area, airspace observers
PDRA-G02BVLOSSparsely populated area, reserved or segregated airspace
PDRA-G03BVLOSSparsely populated area, reserved airspace or low height

Summary of EASA AMC to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947. All PDRAs limit drone size, typically to a characteristic dimension up to 3 m.

S-type PDRAs

PDRA-S01 and PDRA-S02 mirror STS-01 and STS-02 for drones without a C5 or C6 class label.

G-type PDRAs

PDRA-G01, G02 and G03 cover BVLOS operations such as aerial survey and linear inspections over sparsely populated areas.

How to match your operation

Compare every condition: line of sight, distance, ground area, population, airspace, drone size and crew. All must fit.

When none fits

If any condition does not fit, you need a full SORA. Many operators start with a PDRA and add a SORA later.

National variations

Some authorities publish their own guidance or additional conditions for each PDRA. Check the national requirements of the country where you apply.

What you’ll get

The free guide to PDRA types

  • Every EASA PDRA explained
  • Conditions side by side
  • How to match your operation
  • PDRA or standard scenario
  • When you need a SORA instead
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More free guides

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FAQ

Questions about PDRA types

A pre-defined risk assessment published by EASA for a common type of specific category operation. Meeting all its conditions lets you apply for authorisation without a full SORA.

EASA has published PDRA-S01, PDRA-S02, PDRA-G01, PDRA-G02 and PDRA-G03. EASA updates the list over time, so check its website before applying.

S-type PDRAs mirror the standard scenarios for drones without class labels. G-type PDRAs cover BVLOS operations in sparsely populated areas.

PDRA-S01 and PDRA-S02, because they cover the most common VLOS and BVLOS commercial operations.

Yes. An operational authorisation can cover several operations under different PDRAs.

Yes. We map your operation to the right PDRA and prepare the full application, from €1,950 + VAT.

Last updated: October 2026. Source: Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and EASA AMC and GM to the regulation.

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