SORA Consulting: Your Path to an Operational Authorisation
For drone flights in the Specific category: together with you, we prepare the SORA 2.5 risk assessment, operations manual and application – and support you until LBA or Austro Control decides.
These operators trust our SORA consulting
A selection of the drone operators we support on their way to an operational authorisation.
New Application, Renewal or Transition to SORA 2.5
Whether you're applying for an operational authorisation for the first time or want to continue an existing one: we support you in each of these cases.
New application
You need an operational authorisation for the Specific category for the first time. Together with you, we prepare the SORA 2.5 risk assessment, operations manual and application.Renewal
Your authorisation is about to expire. We prepare the renewal application in good time – at the LBA between twelve and six weeks before expiry. From €1,190 net.Transition to SORA 2.5
Your authorisation is still based on SORA 2.0. We transfer the risk assessment to SORA 2.5 and adapt the operations manual and evidence before your authority's deadline.
Our SORA Services: From Initial Consultation to Authorisation
We take on the paperwork so you can fly more demanding jobs: the whole way or just the modules you're missing. We define the scope together in the initial consultation.
Needs assessment
In the free initial consultation, we clarify the category, the competent authority and the evidence it requires.
Solution approach in 48 hRisk analysis
Ground and air risk under SORA 2.5, digitally with wingman, including suitable mitigations.
GRC, ARC and SAILOperations manual
Concept of operations, operations manual and safety management to match your SAIL.
OSOs evidencedApplication
We compile the documents and submit them to your authority.
Application submittedFollow-up questions
We answer the authority's follow-up questions with you until the decision is made.
Authority's decision
Included with every module
Personal support
Throughout the entire project, you have dedicated contacts who know your project – from the initial consultation through the application documents to the authority's follow-up questions. They keep you up to date at every step.
“The personal support, that has to be said very clearly. We have several contacts at skyzr who are always available to us. We get quick help and, yes, that's how we make good progress.”
Florian Willemsen, spektakulAIR, asked what he values most about skyzr Understanding the regulations
Our experts break down the regulations and requirements in detail, so you fully understand them.
“[We have] much more insight into the regulations. […] That's definitely an advantage too, because we simply understand them better.”
Florian Willemsen, spektakulAIR
Your Solution Approach in 48 Hours
After the initial consultation, you don't have to wait long for first results. Within two days, you receive your solution approach for your approval from us.
- Classifying your project
Category, responsible authority, and the evidence the authority is likely to require. - Initial strategic direction
Which routes are open for your project and where details still need to be clarified. - Next steps
What we take on and which steps you contribute yourself.
Why Choose Us
With our extensive training and years of industry experience, we're perfectly positioned to guide you through the SORA approval process. Your benefit: savings in cost and time, plus close contact with the authorities.
Speed: initial solution approach within 48 hours
We know your time is valuable. Within 48 hours of the initial consultation, you have an initial solution approach and know early on which direction your path to approval will take.Personalized Consulting
Every client has unique needs and challenges, so we tailor our consulting to your specific requirements.High Success Rate
Thanks to our extensive knowledge and experience, we have a high success rate helping clients through the SORA approval process.Specialized Expertise
We have deep knowledge of the specific requirements and regulations for drone flights in the Specific category.
Who Works Out Your SORA with You
Experience from SORA procedures in Germany and Austria, brought together in one team: Astrid is your first point of contact, Mario prepares the risk assessment, operations manual and application with you.
Astrid Kindl
Drone Solutions Manager
Astrid takes up your request and assesses it with you in the initial consultation. She stays at your side throughout the SORA, keeps you up to date on every module and is available whenever a question comes up.
- Initial consultation
- Quote
- Project support
30 minutes · free and without obligation
Asked what he values most about skyzr:
„The personal support, that has to be said very clearly. We have several contacts at skyzr who are always available to us. We get quick help and, yes, that's how we make good progress.“
Mario Marek
UAS Specialist
Mario leads your SORA consulting, from the risk assessment to the authority's follow-up questions. If technical points need to be clarified beforehand, he joins the initial consultation or a follow-up call. He has particular experience in:
- Evaluating the best approval strategy for the client
including concrete enablers for your mission: ground risk mitigations, air risk mitigations, completing application forms - Project Development
PMA Level D certified - Risk assessment under Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947
for flights within and beyond the remote pilot's visual line of sight - Flights in geographical zones, restricted areas, and control zones
- Getting the full potential out of the UAS, use case, and legal boundaries
- Stakeholder identification and communication
including authorities - Cross-border operations, or operations outside the state of registration
Article 13 EU 2019/947
| Residual ARC | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final GRC | a | b | c | d |
| ≤ 2 | I | II | IV | VI |
| 3 | II | II (example) | IV | VI |
| 4 | III | III | IV | VI |
| 5 | IV | IV | IV | VI |
| 6 | V | V | V | VI |
| 7 | VI | VI | VI | VI |
The SORA Challenge
SORA stands for Specific Operations Risk Assessment: the risk assessment you need for an operational authorisation in the Specific category – for example for flights above 120 m, beyond visual line of sight or over uninvolved people. Ground risk (GRC) and air risk (ARC) determine the SAIL, which in turn defines which operational safety objectives (OSOs) you have to demonstrate, and in how much depth.
That's exactly what makes the process demanding: every mitigation, every procedure and every piece of evidence has to fit the assessment, otherwise the authority comes back with questions, and each one costs weeks. That's why many drone pilots turn such jobs down. Those who set up their SORA properly can take them on – a real competitive edge.
We explain the basics in our article What is SORA? The risk assessment for drone flights explained.
SORA Applications to LBA, Austro Control and BAZL: What Applies Now
SORA 2.5 has been the method recognised by EASA since the end of September 2025. The authorities are switching over on their own deadlines – different rules apply to new applications, renewals and existing authorisations.
| Authority | New applications | Existing authorisations under SORA 2.0 | Processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| LBA (Germany) | Only under SORA 2.5 since 1 January 2026 | Renewal until 31 December 2027 at the latest, after that only with a transition to SORA 2.5 | Currently more than six months' wait until processing starts; the review itself then takes a few working days |
| State aviation authorities (some federal states) | Own transition rules | Own transition rules | Depends on the authority |
| Austro Control (Austria) | Only under SORA 2.5 from 1 January 2027 | Valid until expiry; an amendment does not extend it | Typically four to twelve weeks for standard cases |
| BAZL (Switzerland) | Only under SORA 2.5 since 1 April 2026 | Valid until expiry | Typically four to six months, currently longer due to the number of applications |
What Does SORA Consulting Cost?
The price depends on the complexity of your project. As a guide: it starts at €1,190 net.
- from €1,190net plus VAT — for projects of low complexity, for example renewing an existing operational authorisation.
We also support more demanding projects: an application based on an existing operations manual, new applications without a manual, BVLOS operations, flights over populated areas, or novel types of operation. Costs for these vary.
Included in the basic scope
- Review of all documents required for the approval
- Analysis and calculation of ground and air risk under SORA 2.5 with wingman
- Identifying OSOs and references in the operations manual
- Communication with your team and the competent authority
- Application document and support from application to approval
- Use of wingman until the application documents are accepted
Ongoing support after the approval is billed by effort. The authority decides on the approval.
What the Price Depends On
In the free initial consultation, we assess your project. You then receive a written quote with the scope of work and the price.
Existing documents
If there's already a usable operations manual, we build on it. If not, we create a suitable one.
Type of operation
BVLOS operations and flights over populated areas involve more effort than a simple follow-up application.
Novel types of operation
Anyone implementing something new needs more analysis and argumentation towards the authority.
Your effort
Low complexityYour project is within the basic scope, from €1,190 net.
Frequently Asked Questions About SORA Consulting
We answer the most common questions about SORA and our SORA consulting. Feel free to contact us anytime with further questions.
After the initial consultation, you receive an initial solution approach for your project within 48 hours. How long the authority takes to decide is out of our hands.
The price depends on the complexity of your project. It starts at €1,190 net plus VAT, for example for renewing an existing operational authorisation. More complex projects, such as a new application without an existing operations manual or BVLOS operations, cost more. In the free initial consultation, we assess your project, and you then receive a written quote.
The time is made up of two parts: preparing the documents and waiting for the authority. At the LBA, the wait until processing starts is currently well over six months; the review itself then takes only a few working days. At Austro Control, standard cases typically take four to twelve weeks; at the BAZL in Switzerland, four to six months, currently rather longer due to the number of applications. Every follow-up question about incomplete documents costs further weeks – complete and consistent documents are therefore the biggest lever you have in your own hands.
Yes. With wingman by skyzr you carry out the risk assessment under SORA 2.5 yourself. A drone operator describes what that looks like in practice in our interview with spektakulAIR (in German). If you only need support in specific areas, we clarify the scope in the initial consultation.
It stands for Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) and is a comprehensive risk analysis for a planned drone operation. It's required for an operational approval in the Specific category. We guide you through the entire application and SORA process to make your specific drone operations possible!
Whenever you apply for an operational authorisation for the Specific category. The SORA is the risk assessment you submit to the authority for it. See also EASA FAQ: Do I need to obtain an authorisation before flying my drone in the 'specific' category?.
- Flights above 120 m AGL (please also note the exceptions around certain infrastructure)
- Flights with drones heavier than 25 kg or exceeding the permitted speeds
- Flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS flights) — this also includes FPV flights if no observer is used!
- Flights over uninvolved people with drones > 249 g
- If objects are to be dropped
- If dangerous goods are to be transported
See also EASA FAQ: How do I determine I fall under the 'specific' category?.
That depends on what is being transported. Dropping objects and carrying dangerous goods are not permitted in the Open category — both lead into the Specific category and therefore to an application including a SORA. For other payloads, take-off mass and type of operation determine the category.
This is prohibited in the Open category. The only exception is in Follow-Me mode and when a UA observer (another person who keeps the drone in sight at all times) is used (FPV flight).
With the aviation authority of the country in which you are registered as an operator – even if you want to fly in another country. In Germany, that is the Federal Aviation Office (LBA) for most federal states and the respective state aviation authority in some. In Austria, it's Austro Control; in Switzerland, the BAZL.
See also The SORA application to the LBA step by step (in German) and EASA FAQ: Why I cannot apply directly to the competent authority of the state of operation?.
For new applications, yes: the LBA has only accepted applications under SORA 2.5 since 1 January 2026, the BAZL since 1 April 2026. The LBA renews existing authorisations under SORA 2.0 until 31 December 2027 at the latest, and after that only with a transition to SORA 2.5. Austro Control will only accept new applications under SORA 2.5 from 1 January 2027; existing authorisations under SORA 2.0 remain valid until they expire. State aviation authorities can set their own transition rules.
If you can fly in the
- "Open" category, or
- apply an STS or PDRA, or
- fly indoors
For EASA, SORA is an "Acceptable Means of Compliance" (AMC) — an accepted way to analyze the risk of a drone operation and put measures in place to reduce it. Because SORA was developed by an international group of experts (JARUS), countries outside the EASA's jurisdiction accept it too. Other countries are still considering adopting this type of risk analysis, based on experience in Europe.
- The flight does not take place in the "Open" category
- The operation does not take place in the "Certified" category
- The operation is not already covered by a Standard Scenario (STS) or Predefined Risk Assessment (PDRA), provided a suitable drone is available
- The operation is not prohibited by an authority-specific "no-go"
- Operator registration in an EU country (and therefore liability insurance) — see also EASA FAQ: Will my registration as drone operator be recognised throughout Europe?
- Insurance — see also EASA FAQ: Do I need insurance?
- Room to innovate — enables new procedural and technical approaches and unique operating models (a barrier to entry for competitors and a USP)
- A deep engagement with risk (good airmanship) — a risk-based approach
- In the interest of aviation safety and uninvolved people on the ground (a holistic approach)
- Creating an operations manual that's necessary for controlled operations anyway, and can be reused for new applications, operational approvals, and SORAs
- Developing your own flight procedures, training, and more
- Legal certainty — reduced business risk
- Higher upfront costs (though faster payback is possible thanks to the USP)
- High initial effort (though documents you develop, such as the operations manual, can be reused and expanded on)
Depending on your project, yes. If your flight fits a standard scenario (STS), a declaration to the authority is enough; for this, you need a drone with a suitable class marking (C5 or C6). For some common types of operation, there are predefined risk assessments (PDRA) that simplify the application. If you fly many different missions, you can aim for a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) and then authorise flights yourself within its privileges.
Which route suits you is shown in our comparison of STS, PDRA, SORA and LUC (in German) – or get personal advice.
Your question isn't listed? Book an initial consultation or email us: astrid.kindl@skyzr.com.
More Than Just SORA
In BVLOS operations, the airspace often decides whether you get approval. These two services complement your SORA consulting.
Situational Awareness
Receivers in your operating area make the actual air traffic visible — hardware and instructions from us, as a live air picture for your remote pilots.Learn more →Air Traffic Report for BVLOS
For BVLOS from a drone-in-a-box: measurement in your operating area, an air traffic report, and its integration into the SORA analysis as an air risk mitigation.Learn more →