UK SORA
The UK CAA's risk-assessment method for Specific category drone flights, in force since April 2025.
Since 23 April 2025, UK SORA has set the CAA’s risk-assessment route for Specific category drone operations in the United Kingdom.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why did the CAA pull its drone-risk rule changes two weeks before they bit?
Background
UK SORA is the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s method for assessing the risk of drone operations in the Specific category. It gives operators a route to seek operational authorisation where their proposed flight falls outside the Open category’s standard limits.
The framework replaced the CAP 722A Operating Safety Case for Specific category authorisation from 23 April 2025. It sits within the CAA’s wider task of allowing more complex drone activity while requiring operators to show that risks to people, aircraft and airspace are controlled.
UK SORA matters because it is the common assessment framework for operators whose flights need case-specific approval. Its terms shape whether inspection, delivery and other higher-risk drone operations can move from limited trials into regular use.
What is UK SORA?
Why did the CAA withdraw its UK SORA changes?
Which UK SORA rules apply after the CAA's revocation?
When did UK SORA replace the Operating Safety Case?
