PDRA permits issued faster

Flying in the Specific category

Many of our customers take the Specific STS training course and only then discover that a company permit – or operational authorisation – is also required to fly in the Specific category. The company must also be certified. Once that has been arranged, multiple pilots can fly under the same permit.

This blog is about the permit process for PDRA-S01, which resembles the declaration for the standard scenario STS-01, but is still different. Flying under PDRA-S01 is becoming increasingly interesting, especially now that ILT sometimes issues a permit within 20 weeks, whereas for SORA it still takes 40 to 50 weeks.

Difference between PDRA-S01 and Standard Scenario STS-01

A PDRA-S01 operational authorisation is the lowest-risk permit under the drone regulations. That is also precisely why ILT can issue it more quickly. In terms of safety level, it is in principle equivalent to declaring standard scenario 1 (STS-01), but there are a few differences.

Flying under the standard scenario is relatively straightforward: in addition to completing the STS-01 training as a pilot, you need an Operations Manual that you declare to ILT. You then also need a drone with a C5 or C6 label and drone insurance. After confirmation (within 1 to 2 weeks), you can already fly in the Specific category. ILT will only find out during the audit whether the Operations Manual meets the requirements.

The disadvantage is that by declaring the standard scenario, there are still a number of things you cannot do:

• Fly in civil CTRs such as Amsterdam, Groningen, Rotterdam, Maastricht and Lelystad
• Fly over or near Critical Infrastructure

You can resolve that with a PDRA-S01. It also has limitations, but also a number of advantages, such as the fact that you do not need a C5/C6 drone.

Advantages are:

• Any type of drone without a C label can be used
• Flying in all CTRs
• Flying in virtually all ‘red’ zones, including Critical Infrastructure in any case
• A formal Operational Authorisation, unlike the declaration for the standard scenario.

Disadvantages are:

• The permit is more expensive, both through a consultant and with ILT. The fees are approx. €1,500.
• Longer processing time at ILT of approx. 20 weeks (previously more than 40 weeks).

The advantages and disadvantages are summarized in the table below.