After a lengthy preparation, the so-called AMC amendment containing SORA 2.5 was published on the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) website on September 29. The renewed AMC (Acceptable Means of Compliance) describes the new methodology for mandatory risk analysis in the special operation category, which must be applied uniformly throughout the European Union. Applications for new operational authorisations should now be submitted in accordance with SORA 2.5, while incumbent operational authorisations (including the documentation of LUC holders) must be brought into line with SORA 2.5 within two years, as per the EASA decision. In our series of articles, we will review the most significant changes affecting the methodology.
In our previous article, we wrote about the initial ground risk class and the elimination (or rather, its transformation) of the M3 risk reduction measure. However, in connection with ground risk reduction measures, it is also important to mention the M1 and M2 risk reduction measures. The M1 risk reduction has been divided into three elements: M1(A), M1(B), and M1(C).
M1(A) deals with the issue of sheltering, i.e., protection against drone impact. The validity of the risk mitigation measure must be examined according to several criteria. The first criterion involves an analysis of the number of people exposed to the risk, and the methodology assumes that the people in the building are protected, and consequently, the population density relevant to the ground risk and thus the ground risk classification can be reduced. In the case of the second criterion, the operator (and the authority) must examine whether the drone is capable of damaging the building in such a way that the people inside may also be injured. According to the methodology, this does not have to be taken into account in the case of drones weighing less than 25 kg, except, for example, in the case of a building with glass walls.
Within the framework of the M1(B) risk mitigation measure, the reduction of the population density that is important from a risk perspective on the ground can be achieved through operational restrictions. This is the risk reduction measure for which dynamic population density data is particularly valuable, although officially accepted dynamic population density data are not yet available.
The essence of the M1(C) risk reduction measure is that the operator’s personnel continuously monitor the area affected by the operation using appropriate procedures and technical means, preparing for changes in the ground risk level (i.e., population density).
There is no major change to SORA 2.5 for the concept of M2 mitigation, as it still requires a properly designed, operated device (e.g., parachute) and personnel trained in the operational procedures to achieve the risk mitigation “points”. Accordingly, the final risk class is as follows: