Publié le 12 décembre 2025

Le guide complet pour réaliser votre demande SORA et débloquer vos missions drone complexes

As a professional drone operator, you are constantly looking to push the boundaries of your operations. Flying over populated areas, operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), or using heavier drones are all high-value missions. However, these operations fall outside the “Open” category and may, in some cases, require specific authorization. This is where the SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) methodology comes into play.

Complex but essential, SORA is the key to accessing the most demanding flight scenarios legally and safely. In this comprehensive guide, we will demystify the process and provide you with the key steps to build a solid application file for the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC).

SORA: What are we talking about?

SORA is a standardized risk assessment methodology at the European level (developed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) that enables the evaluation and mitigation of risks associated with drone operations in the “Specific” category.

The goal is to demonstrate to the authorities that you have identified all potential hazards (both on the ground and in the air) and implemented robust safety measures to ensure the safety of third parties and other aircraft.

In short, an operational authorization is required whenever your mission does not fall within the “Open” category or the European Standard Scenarios (STS).

This typically includes :

Autonomous flights
Flights above 120 m altitude
Night flights
Flights over populated areas
Use of a drone weighing more than 25 kg or with a wingspan greater than 3 meters
Transport of dangerous goods
Aerial spraying

The SORA methodology detailed in 7 key steps

Building a SORA file is a rigorous process. It is not simply about filling out a form, but about conducting an in-depth risk analysis. Here are the fundamental steps to follow.

Step 1 : Description of the Concept of Operations (ConOps)

The ConOps is the cornerstone of your application. It is a document that describes with absolute precision who you are, what you will do, where, how, and with what equipment.

Step 2 : Assessment of the initial GRC (Ground Risk Class)

Once the SORA ConOps has been defined, it is necessary to assess the risk the operation poses to people and property on the ground, before any mitigation measures are applied. This risk mainly depends on population density, the area being flown over, as well as the drone’s mass and kinetic energy. A flight in a rural area may present a low risk, while a flight in a densely populated urban environment will be significantly more critical. This initial estimation helps identify potential exposure and guide the safety measures to be implemented.

Step 3 : Ground Risk Mitigation (Final GRC)

Once the initial GRC has been identified, you must implement measures to reduce it to an acceptable level. These measures (known as M1, M2, M3) are crucial.

M1 – Strategic mitigations : These are procedures aimed at reducing the number of people potentially overflown (e.g., operating at night, defining a controlled safety perimeter).
M2 – Containment effects : These measures ensure that the drone remains within the operational area even in the event of a failure (e.g., ballistic parachute, tethered flight).
M3 – Emergency procedures : A clear and tested action plan to respond to a critical situation.

The effective implementation of these measures allows you to reduce your initial GRC in order to obtain a final GRC.

Step 4 : Assessment of the initial ARC (Air Risk Class)

The fourth step consists of evaluating the air risk, meaning the likelihood of conflict or collision with other aircraft. This assessment takes into account the flight altitude, proximity to air corridors, military or restricted areas, as well as the type of airspace being used. The risk is higher when the operation takes place in busy airspace or near airports or transit zones.

Step 5 : Air risk mitigation (final ARC)

To reduce the identified air risk, strategic measures must be implemented. This may include limiting flight altitudes, establishing temporary exclusion zones, coordinating with air traffic control, or planning flights outside peak traffic periods. These actions significantly reduce the risk of air conflict and help achieve an acceptable final ARC.

Step 6 : Tactical air risk mitigation

In addition to strategic measures, real-time tactical measures must be planned to manage potential in-flight conflicts. This includes the use of detect-and-avoid systems, direct communication with air traffic control, and the implementation of standardized avoidance maneuver procedures. The objective is to ensure safety even in the event of unforeseen situations.

Step 7 : Determining the level of criticality: the SAIL

The SAIL is the final outcome of your risk assessment. It is determined by combining your final GRC and your ARC. The SAIL is an index ranging from I to VI that represents the overall level of robustness required for your operation. The higher the SAIL, the stricter the safety requirements set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. A SAIL I corresponds to a very low-risk operation, while a SAIL VI is comparable to the requirements of manned aviation.

Step 8: Compliance with Operational Safety Objectives (OSO)

Each SAIL level corresponds to a set of Operational Safety Objectives (OSO) defined by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. These objectives cover all aspects of your organization:

Technical reliability of the aircraft
Competence and training of personnel
Quality of operations and maintenance manuals
Robustness of the command and control link
Human-Machine Interface (ergonomics of the control station)

You must demonstrate, point by point, that you comply with each OSO applicable to your SAIL level.

All of these steps must be compiled into a single file in order to constitute your operational authorization application.

Step 9 : Consideration of adjacent environments

This step consists of examining the immediate environment of the operation to identify any external factors that could influence the flight or be affected by it. This includes sensitive infrastructure, roads, schools, neighbouring airspaces, as well as environmental factors such as weather or electromagnetic interference. The objective is to reduce indirect risks and to anticipate all necessary precautions.

Step 10: Comprehensive risk portfolio

Finally, all identified risks and implemented safety measures are compiled into a final portfolio. This summary makes it possible to verify that all risks have been properly assessed and that the applied measures are sufficient to ensure an acceptable level of safety. This step concludes the SORA process and serves as the basis for validation of the operation by the competent authorities.

How to submit your SORA application in France

Once your risk assessment and documentation are ready, the application is mainly submitted via the METEOR platform.

1. Registration request

Submit a registration request to the Direction de la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile at the following address:

dsac-autorisations-drones-bf@aviation-civile.gouv.fr

2. Submission of your application file

Submit your operational authorization application, including the following documents:

Operational authorization application form (available here: https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/exploitation-drones-en-categorie-specifique )
Night flight exemption request form, if applicable (to be sent separately to the prefecture: https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/Form_R5-UAS-DEROG_v4.pdf )
The SORA covering all 10 steps of the methodology
A KML/KMZ file representing at least the flight area, contingency area, and buffer zone
The Operations Manual (MANEX)
The drone technical documentation
Any other documents required for the review of the application (ERP, cooperation agreements, etc.)

3. Review phase

The Direction de la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile, the technical branch of the DGAC, will review your application. This phase can take several months and often involves exchanges and requests for additional information. You should respond promptly and precisely.

4. Approval

If your application is approved, you will receive an operational authorization detailing the conditions and limitations of your operations.

Our tips for a successful application :

To learn more about the SORA methodology

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