Pre-defined Risk Assessment (PDRA)

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

For applications under PDRA S-01 for spraying operations in agriculture, please refer to the dedicated page Spraying.

PDRA-S

	PDRA-S01	PDRA-S02
Operational scenario	“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	CD* < 3m
UAS Class label	Not required	Not required
Line of 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-SORA (see "SORA" webpage).
**Pilot proficiency required during the transition period: Pilots must obtain a remote pilot certificate (sub-category A2) and also acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to their planned operation.

PDRA-G

	PDRA-G01	PDRA-G02	PDRA-G03
Operational scenario	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
UAS Class label	Not required	Not required	Not required
Line of 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

1. 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., operations manual, proof of remote pilot qualification, etc.) as indicated in the application form.

2. Applications must be sent to rpas@bazl.admin.ch: