OA applicants should contact a RAE(F) prior to their application if they apply any of the mitigations, containment measures and OSOs listed in this guidance.
After the assessment, the RAE(F) will provide a flightworthiness report to the applicant. The applicant should upload this report as part of their OA application.
Using a RAE(F) for the OA applicant
The role of a RAE(F) is to assess the flightworthiness of a UAS in support of a UK SORA OA application.
The aspects of UK SORA assessed by a RAE(F) are described in our guidance on using RAE(F) for OA applicants for:
There are four types of technical requirements in UK SORA, of which three can be assessed by a RAE(F).
| Technical requirement type | Application stage |
| Ground risk mitigation UK SORA Annex B |
Phase 1 (SAIL assessment) |
| Tactical Mitigation Performance Requirements (TMPR) for air risk UK SORA Annex D |
Not currently in scope of RAE(F) – If used, the OA Applicant should contact the CAA (see note below) |
| Operational Safety Objectives (OSO) UK SORA Annex E |
Phase 2 (OSO compliance evidence) |
| Containment requirements UK SORA Annex E |
Phase 2 (Containment compliance evidence) |
Note: Technical TMPR requirements, such as Detect and Avoid, have not yet been published. Once detailed requirements and standards have been developed and adopted, the scope of a RAE(F) is expected to include assessment of such requirements.