Pre-defined Risk Assessment (PDRA)

FOCA will start issuing PDRA from 01 January 2023.

With a PDRA, the operator must confirm that he or she meets all of the specified conditions outlined in the PDRA. Unlike STSs, the drone is not required to have a class mark. Because PDRAs do not specify specific scenarios, applicants have more flexibility in conducting their proposed drone flight.

There are two different types of PDRA: PDRA-S and PDRA-G.

The PDRA-S mirror the European STS (but do not require a class label).
The PDRA-G are generic PDRAs, they include risk analyses of recurring drone applications (e.g., PDRA-G03 for inspection)

PDRA-S

	PDRA-S01	PDRA-S02
Designation	“Mirror” of EU STS-01 VLOS – over controlled ground area – urban	“Mirror” of EU STS-02 BVLOS – over controlled ground area – rural
Use-cases / Examples	Agricultural works, inspection	Surveillance, agriculture, inspection, short-range cargo ops
Drone characteristics	CD* < 3m and MTOM* < 25kg	CD* < 3m and MTOM* < 25kg
Class label	Not required	Not required
Sight	VLOS	BVLOS (EVLOS)
Area overflown	Over a controlled ground area located in a (densely) populated area*	Over a controlled ground area located in a sparsely populated area*
Maximum distance Drone – Remote pilot	VLOS	Without airspace observer: 1km With airspace observer: 2km
Airspace	Controlled or uncontrolled	Controlled or uncontrolled
Maximum height	150m above ground (Above 120m additional training must be presented)	150m above ground (Above 120m additional training must be presented)
Remote pilot Competence	A1/A3 + STS-01**	A1/A3 + STS-02**

* The abbreviations CD, MTOM used here, as well as the definitions (e.g., "sparsely" populated) are explained in the glossary or in FOCA-UAS-GM-Part 1 (see Links in bottom of the page)
**Proficiency required until the end of the eight-month transition period (31/08/2023): Pilots must complete a remote pilot certificate (sub-category A2) and also acquire theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to their planned operation.

PDRA-G

	PDRA-G01	PDRA-G02	PDRA-G03
Designation	EVLOS flights in rural area	BVLOS flights in reserved/restricted airspace	Aerial Work
Use-cases	Surveillance, medium range cargo ops	Flight tests, major inspection/survey campaign	Line inspections, agricultural works
Drone properties	CD* < 3m and E_kin*< 34kJ	CD* < 3m and E_kin*< 34kJ	CD* < 3m and E_kin*< 34kJ
Class label	Not required	Not required	Not required
Sight	BVLOS	BVLOS	BVLOS
Area overflown	“Sparsely” populated area*	“Sparsely” populated area*	“Sparsely” populated area*
Maximum distance Drone – Remote pilot	Without airspace observer: 1km With airspace observer: 1km to closest airspace observer	No requirements, but direct C2 link	No requirements, but direct C2 link
Airspace	Uncontrolled	Reserved or segregated	Reserved or segregated
Maximum height	150m above ground (Above 120m additional training must be presented)	According to reserved/segregated airspace**	According to reserved/segregated airspace** Or 50m above ground
Remote pilot competence	Case-specific, depending on the intended operation. Acquisition of knowledge relevant to the operation.	Case-specific, depending on the intended operation. Acquisition of knowledge relevant to the operation.	Case-specific, depending on the intended operation. Acquisition of knowledge relevant to the operation.

* The abbreviations CD, MTOM, and Ekin used here, as well as the definitions (e.g., "sparsely" populated) are explained in the glossary or in FOCA-UAS-GM-Part 1 (see Links in the bottom of the page)
** Reserved/segregated: Equivalent to air risk class “a” (ARC-a), e.g., a danger or restricted area

Further information

The application for an Operational Authorization based on PDRA must include the following documents:
- The «application form EU PDRA X-YZ" completed and signed (see section "Forms" below).
- All required documents (e.g., Operation Manual) as per Compliance Matrix of “EU PDRA X-YZ“.
Applications must be sent to rpas@bazl.admin.ch:
- Deadline: Applications must be submitted at least 1 month before the intended operation.
- Costs: Depending on time and effort, hourly rate according to FOCA fee ordinance.
If all requirements are met, FOCA will issue an Operational Authorization to the applicant.