UK SORA sets out requirements that you must comply with to carry out your proposed operations safely and legally.
Using a recognised 'standard' or service may offer a way to comply with some of the requirements. This includes in the areas of remote pilot competency and the flightworthiness of your unmanned aircraft systems.
These initiatives are new so may not be available at the time of your application, but we expect them to play an increasing role in future applications.
Remote pilot competency
There are five remote pilot qualifications in the Specific Category.
Each qualification provides a different level of competency appropriate to operations of increasing levels of complexity.
Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 Remote Pilot Certificates
We introduced the Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 Remote Pilot Certificates in early 2025. We're currently working with Recognised Assessment Entities (RAEs) who wish to provide the new certificates.
General VLOS Certificate (GVC)
The General VLOS Certificate (GVC) is established in the UK and will remain in place alongside the new certificates.
Recognised Assessment Entities – Flightworthiness (RAE(F))
Recognised Assessment Entities – Flightworthiness (RAE(F)s) are approved by the CAA to assess whether the technical features of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or UAS configuration, meet an agreed set of UK SORA requirements.
The requirements relate to the flightworthiness of UAS, including design, construction, and flying characteristics.
UAS operators and designers may need to use RAE(F) services.
RAE (F) services for operators
As an operator, you may want to use an RAE(F) to assess the flightworthiness of the UAS you intend to use when applying for a UK SORA-based Operational Authorisation.
RAE (F) services for designers
As a UAS designer, you may need to use an RAE(F) to get a SAIL Mark Certificate for a UAS.
When RAE(F) services will be available
We introduced the concept of RAE(F)s in early 2025. We're currently working with individuals and organisations who wish to provide RAE(F) services.
RAE(F)s and SAIL Mark Certificates
RAE(F)s play a key role in assessing UAS for SAIL Mark Certificates.
SAIL Mark Certificates
A SAIL Mark Certificate demonstrates that an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) meets a specific set of UK SORA requirements. The SAIL Mark Certificate maps to the UK SORA SAIL levels, from 1 to 6.
As more SAIL-marked UAS become available, operators will be able to use them to comply with certain UK SORA technical requirements.
You can choose whether to use a SAIL-marked UAS as a way of meeting a requirement. In time, we expect more operators will choose to do this as an efficient way of meeting the requirements.
When SAIL Marked UAS will be available
We introduced the concept of SAIL Mark in early 2025. We're currently working with individuals and organisations who wish to provide the RAE(F) services that will deliver the SAIL Mark scheme.