The Specific Category covers a wide range of flying activities (known as operations) that are more complex than allowed in the Open category.
In most cases, the Specific category is the next step for people who want to carry out anything other than basic flying.
You can use the Specific Category to carry out operations for work, for a hobby, or both.
Check the Open Categories before you start
Always check whether your operations are allowed in one of the Open categories before you consider the Specific Category.
What you must have before operating in the Specific Category
You must get an operational authorisation from the CAA before carrying out operations in the Specific Category.
You'll need to tell us about your proposed operations and provide evidence that you'll be able to carry them out safely and legally before we can grant your authorisation.
Your operational authorisation will set out the scope, conditions and limits of your authorisation.
How to get your operational authorisation
There are two main methods of applying for an operational authorisation:
- PDRA (pre-defined risk assessment)
- UK SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment)
PDRA-based Operational Authorisation
PDRA stands for Pre-Defined Risk Assessment. It's the simplest way to apply for an Operational Authorisation.
A PDRA-based Operational Authorisation gives you authorisation to operate according to a set of pre-defined limits and requirements.
PDRA01 is the only PDRA that's currently available in the UK.
PDRA01
PDRA01 gives you authorisation to fly unmanned aircraft (UA) between 250g and 25kg within visual line of sight (VLOS) at any location in the UK (subject to airspace restrictions), including residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas.
Common examples of the reasons people use PDRA01 include:
- inspecting roofs
- taking photos of buildings
- surveying recreational sites
Find out more about PDRA01
UK SORA
If the operations you want to carry out are not covered by PDRA01, you'll need to apply for an operational authorisation using UK SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment).
UK SORA replaced the previous OSC (Operating Safety Case) method as the way to apply for an operational authorisation from 23 April 2025.
Examples of operations that require a UK SORA-based operational authorisation include:
- dropping items from your drone
- flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
- flying close to crowds
- flying close to people with aircraft that weight 500g or more
- flying at increased heights above ground level
- swarm operations
- flying more than 120m (400ft) above ground level
Find out more about UK SORA
Transition arrangements for current OSC holders and applicants
UK SORA replaced the current OSC method of applying for an operational authorisation from 23 April 2025.
If you currently hold an OSC-based Operational Authorisation or you currently have an OSC application with us, we have transition arrangements in place.