Are you a USSP or would you like to become one? This page provides an overview of the most important information.
Authorisation of U-space Service Providers (USSPs) in Switzerland
Anyone wishing to offer U-space services in a U-space airspace must first be certified by the competent authority of the member state in which they have their principal place of business. The FOCA is responsible for certifying USSPs headquartered in Switzerland. For USSPs with headquarters outside Switzerland or the EU, a certificate is granted by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Authorised USSPs can offer their services in Switzerland and all EU member states. They are subject to oversight by the authority which granted their certificate. The certification procedure in Switzerland consists of the following steps:
1. Certification form
Any legal entity with its principal place of business in Switzerland may apply to the FOCA for certification. The necessary form is linked at the bottom of this page.
The FOCA will contact the applicant within three weeks of the form being submitted.
2. Guidelines on the certification procedure
Full details of the certification procedure are given in the Oversight in U-space Service Provision (SOUP) regulation, which provides information on the requirements for automatic verification (see below). The SOUP regulation is linked at the bottom of this page.
Automated verification
In accordance with the SOUP regulation, all USSPs wishing to be certified in Switzerland must allow automatic verification of their compliance with the requirements applicable in Switzerland. This also applies to USSPs that have been certified abroad and wish to offer their services in a U-space airspace in Switzerland. This is an automated test procedure used by the FOCA to verify USSPs' compliance with all operational, safety and performance requirements. It also ensures interoperability with other USSPs, thereby ensuring that all USSPs (including those from other countries) work together. Technical standards and legal parameters are being harmonised internationally to make this possible.
The FOCA has developed this automatic verification tool in cooperation with companies from the drone sector, using the open source platform InterUSS. More information can be found on the related website.
3. Costs
A fee is charged for the certification procedure in accordance with the Ordinance on the Fees charged by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (in German, French and Italian). Information on this can also be found in the SOUP regulation.
Further Information
Last modification 24.07.2023
Contact
Federal Office of Civil Aviation
Air traffic control SIFS
3003 Bern