What is
UK SORA?
The Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) is the structured risk methodology used by the UK CAA to evaluate UAS operations in the Specific Category. It assesses Ground Risk Class (GRC) and Air Risk Class (ARC) to determine a SAIL level — the Specific Assurance and Integrity Level that defines the evidence and compliance requirements for each applicable Operational Safety Objective (OSO). A successful SORA submission results in an Operational Authorisation from the UK CAA.
Our SORA Service
Our goal is to accelerate your path to Operational Authorisation — producing
a clear, robust, and regulator‑ready UK SORA submission.
SORA Application Support
End‑to‑end UK SORA application support — guiding you from initial scoping to the final issue of your Operational Authorisation.
SAIL Determination
We establish the Ground and Air Risk Classes, mitigations, and containment applicable to your operation to determine the likely SAIL level
Mitigation Guidance
Expert guidance on mitigations relevant to your Ground and Air Risk Classes, helping reduce your SAIL down to the lowest practicable level
OSO Evidence
Support in developing the compliance approach and evidence for your Operational Safety Objectives — mapped to the integrity and assurance levels your SAIL requires.
Systems & Documentation
Specialist support in developing the systems and documentation required for a successful SORA application, including your Operations Manual and ConOps.
Regulator Finding Support
Expert support in responding to CAA findings during assessment, including liaison with the CAA Inspector to resolve issues efficiently.
From ConOps to Operational Authorisation
Skyworthy guides you through every stage of the UK SORA, ensuring your submission is coherent, defensible, and
aligned with UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and the associated Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC).
STEP 01
Concept of Operations (ConOps)
Define the operational scope, mission environment, platform, personnel, and procedures that underpin the entire SORA assessment.
STEP 02
Ground Risk Class (GRC)
Assess intrinsic and residual ground risk — accounting for population density, operational volume, and applicable mitigations.
STEP 03
Air Risk Class (ARC)
Evaluate collision risk with crewed aircraft, applying Strategic and Tactical Mitigations where applicable to your airspace environment.
STEP 04
SAIL Determination
Establish the Specific Assurance and Integrity Level that sets the depth of evidence and system integrity required for each applicable OSO.
STEP 05
OSO Compliance & Evidence
Map each applicable Operational Safety Objective to your operation and develop the evidence, systems, and documentation required to demonstrate compliance.
STEP 06
Operational Authorisation Submission
Compile and submit a complete, regulator‑aligned application to the UK CAA — with full support through assessment and any subsequent findings.