SPECIFIC CATEGORY DOCUMENTATION PREPARATION, SORA, REGULATORY AND OPERATIONAL DOCUMENTATION FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

The service is intended for individual UAS operators and remote pilots, as well as companies, industrial operators, technology organisations, research teams and other entities planning or conducting operations with unmanned aircraft systems. We can undertake the preparation of documentation from the very beginning or become involved in a process that has already been initiated, including cases where the operator has prepared part of the required documentation, has received comments or requests for additional information, or requires technical and operational support in structuring the operational concept. Our work is not limited to the administrative completion of forms. We approach documentation as an integral part of a real aviation operation, in which regulatory requirements must be directly linked to the actual characteristics of the UAS, the operational environment, flight organisation, personnel competence and risk management measures.

DOCUMENTATION FOR THE SPECIFIC CATEGORY

We provide preparation and structuring of documentation for UAS operations in the Specific Category in accordance with the applicable European regulatory framework. Depending on the specific operation, our support may include:

• initial assessment of the planned UAS operation
• determination of the applicable regulatory framework and authorisation pathway
• preparation of applications and supporting documentation
• development of the operational concept
• description of the technical and operational characteristics of the UAS
• analysis of the operational environment
• identification and assessment of risks
• determination and justification of appropriate risk mitigation measures
• preparation of procedures for normal, contingency and emergency situations
• preparation of annexes, tables, maps, diagrams and technical descriptions
• structuring of a complete documentation package for submission to the competent aviation authority.

SORA – SPECIFIC OPERATIONS RISK ASSESSMENT

For operations requiring a Specific Operations Risk Assessment, we can develop complete SORA documentation or support the operator with individual components of the assessment. The work may include:

• detailed description of the operation
• definition of the operational volume
• ground risk analysis
• air risk analysis
• determination of the applicable risk levels
• identification of the required mitigation measures
• analysis of technical and operational means for reducing risk
• determination and structuring of Operational Safety Objectives
• preparation of the required evidence and supporting justifications
• establishing consistency between the SORA assessment, ConOps, Operations Manual and other operational documentation.

The objective is to ensure that the individual documents do not exist as isolated administrative attachments, but together form a consistent and technically justified concept for the safe execution of the specific operation.

CONOPS – CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

We develop comprehensive Concepts of Operations for unmanned aircraft systems. The ConOps may include a detailed description of:

• the purpose and nature of the operation
• geographical area of operation
• operational volume
• airspace characteristics
• ground environment
• UAS used for the operation
• payload and specialised equipment
• communication and C2 systems
• navigation systems
• GNSS, RTK/PPK and other positioning systems
• limitations of the equipment used
• team organisation
• roles and responsibilities of personnel
• normal operating procedures
• contingency procedures
• emergency procedures
• communication and coordination with other relevant parties
• ground and air risk mitigation measures.

Where required, the concept can be developed for a single operation, a series of similar operations or a long-term operational model.

OPERATIONS MANUAL AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

We provide development or review of the Operations Manual and related operational documentation. Depending on the nature of the operation, this may include:

• organisational procedures
• pre-flight procedures
• operational area preparation procedures
• procedures during the operation
• post-flight procedures
• contingency procedures
• emergency procedures
• communication procedures
• procedures in the event of loss or degradation of the C2 link
• procedures in the event of navigation or GNSS issues
• procedures in the event of other aircraft entering the operational area
• procedures in the event of people or vehicles entering the operational area
• procedures in the event of technical failure
• procedures for terminating the operation
• checklists
• allocation of responsibilities among team members.

UAS TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION

We prepare and structure the technical documentation related to the unmanned aircraft systems used in the operation. This may include:

• platform description
• UAS configuration
• characteristics and limitations
• maximum operational parameters
• control systems
• C2 communications
• navigation systems
• GNSS/RTK/PPK
• positioning systems
• failsafe functionalities
• geographical limitation and geofencing systems
• redundancy
• batteries and power systems
• payload
• sensors
• cameras
• LiDAR
• thermal systems
• specialised measurement devices
• additional equipment
• specific modifications to the platform.

STS, PDRA AND OTHER APPLICABLE REGULATORY PATHWAYS

Not every operation requires the development of an individual SORA. Before commencing the documentation process, we can perform a preliminary assessment of the planned operation and determine the most appropriate regulatory pathway. This may include an assessment of the applicability of:

• Open Category
• Specific Category
• Standard Scenarios (STS)
• Predefined Risk Assessments (PDRA)
• Operational Authorisation
• other applicable procedures and regulatory mechanisms.

This approach helps avoid unnecessarily complex documentation where a more appropriate regulatory pathway is available.

REVIEW AND COMPLETION OF DOCUMENTATION ALREADY IN PROGRESS

The process does not need to start from scratch. We can become involved at any stage of documentation preparation. If the operator already has partially developed documentation, we can provide:

• review of existing documentation
• Gap Analysis
• identification of missing documents and information
• verification of consistency and interdependencies between individual documents
• technical and operational review
• restructuring of documentation
• completion of missing sections
• development of required annexes
• preparation of additional technical justifications
• correction of identified inconsistencies
• preparation of the documentation for the next stage of the process.

This service is also suitable for operators who have started the process independently but subsequently identified the need for additional technical, aviation or regulatory expertise.

SUPPORT WITH AUTHORITY COMMENTS AND ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Where previously submitted documentation has been returned with comments or the competent authority has requested additional information, we can analyse the questions received and assist with the preparation of the necessary amendments. This may include:

• analysis of authority comments
• identification of required changes
• preparation of additional information
• revision of individual parts of the documentation
• preparation of additional technical justifications
• synchronisation of amendments across the SORA, ConOps, Operations Manual and annexes
• preparation of an updated documentation package.

COMPLEX AND SPECIALISED UAS OPERATIONS

We place particular emphasis on operations for which a standard approach to documentation may not be sufficient. These may include:

• BVLOS operations
• industrial inspections
• maritime and port operations
• operations around vessels and maritime infrastructure
• critical infrastructure
• energy facilities
• large industrial sites
• surveying and mapping
• operations with specialised sensors
• thermal inspections
• LiDAR operations
• Search and Rescue operations
• disaster response
• operations in difficult-to-access areas
• operations involving specialised or heavy UAS
• operations in complex electromagnetic or GNSS environments
• activities requiring coordination with other airspace users.

CUSTOM UAS, PROTOTYPES AND R&D OPERATIONS

We provide support in preparing operational and technical documentation for non-standard unmanned aircraft systems and research and development activities. This may include:

• prototype UAS
• custom-built platforms
• modified commercial UAS
• experimental systems
• heavy-lift UAS
• specialised payload systems
• tethered UAS
• autonomous and semi-autonomous systems
• integration of new sensors
• test flights
• research operations
• technology demonstrations
• development and validation of new operational concepts.

For such projects, documentation is developed according to the actual configuration, intended purpose and risk profile of the system and operation.

MAPS, DIAGRAMS AND ANNEXES

Where required, we also prepare graphical and technical annexes supporting the documentation, including:

• operational area maps
• operational volume
• flight geography
• ground risk buffer
• contingency volume
• emergency areas
• operational diagrams
• take-off and landing locations
• personnel positioning
• safety and security zones
• airspace maps
• images and technical diagrams
• tables containing parameters and operational limitations.

OPERATOR TRAINING AND PREPARATION

Where required, we can not only prepare the documentation but also assist the operator in understanding and implementing the developed procedures. This is particularly important for complex operations where the documentation must reflect the organisation's actual operating practices. Support may include explanation of procedures, team preparation, working with checklists and discussion of normal, contingency and emergency scenarios.

OUR WORKING PROCESS

Every project begins with a preliminary assessment. We first determine what the operator actually intends to perform, what equipment will be used, the environment in which the operation will take place and the applicable operational limitations. We then determine the appropriate regulatory pathway and the required scope of documentation. Depending on the specific case, we can undertake: Regulatory Assessment → Documentation Preparation → Operational Concept → Risk Assessment → Technical Documentation → Application Package → Support during the Authorisation Process The client may assign the entire process to us or engage us for a specific part of it.

DOCUMENTATION BASED ON REAL-WORLD OPERATIONS

Preparing documentation for complex UAS operations is not merely an administrative exercise. A viable operational concept must take into account the actual behaviour and capabilities of the unmanned aircraft system, equipment limitations, airspace characteristics, the ground environment, human factors, communications, navigation and potential system failures. X-Sky Dynamics combines documentation preparation with practical experience in real-world UAS operations, industrial environments, maritime and port operations, inspections, mapping, specialised systems and technically complex operations. This enables us to approach documentation not as a collection of separate forms, but as an integrated system designed to describe a real, feasible and safe aviation operation.

WHO IS THIS SERVICE FOR?

The service is suitable for:

• individual UAS operators
• agricultural drone operators
• professional remote pilots
• companies establishing their own UAS departments
• industrial enterprises
• critical infrastructure operators
• port and maritime companies
• energy companies
• surveying and geospatial organisations
• security and specialised operators
• UAS manufacturers and system integrators
• custom UAS developers
• research organisations
• universities and technology centres
• organisations developing new applications for unmanned technologies.

FROM THE INITIAL IDEA TO A COMPLETE OPERATIONAL CONCEPT

Whether you have only an initial idea for a future UAS operation, have already started preparing the documentation, or have reached a specific stage of the authorisation process, X-Sky Dynamics can become involved wherever support is required. We can perform the initial assessment, review existing documentation, develop the missing components or build the complete documentation and operational concept from the ground up. X-Sky Dynamics – from the technical concept and real-world operation to structured, substantiated and professionally prepared UAS documentation.