The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published new and amended procedures and guidance to further harmonise and implement the EU drone regulation. The guidance included in the ED Decision 2022/002/R relates to geographical zones, cross-border operations and predefined risk assessment for beyond line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
Results of consultation of NP 2021-09 has been analysed and reviewed, and the feedback received from stakeholders has been consolidated in the newly published ED Decision 2022/002/R.
In particular, the decision addresses the following:
- Establishment of ‘geographical zones’ identifying EUROCAE ED 269 as the standard for the common unique digital format;
- Revised forms for the application and issue of operational authorisations in the ‘specific’ category and a detailed description of the process to allow cross-border operations (e.g operations in different EASA member states);
- Defining a list of training objectives for remote pilots operating in the ‘specific’ category. The drone operator is requested to select those that are more appropriate for its operation;
- New predefined risk assessment (PDRA) dedicated to Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for linear inspections of infrastructures such power lines or rail tracks.
More time is needed to continue the discussions with stakeholders on the amendments to Specific Operations Risk Assessment – SORA related to the design verification of drones. EASA intends to address this topic in a dedicated ED decision planned for Quarter 2 in 2022, together with the comment response document (CRD) providing the answers to all comments received.
ED Decision 2022/002/R can be viewed here
For more information visit:
www.easa.europa.eu
