The CAA renewal process has been painful for drone operators since, well, forever. Now, a new system is about to be launched with the intention to ease the process for all Specific Category operators. So, will it work? And could there be even bigger benefits around the corner?
Here are the basics of what you need to know.
What is happening?
Effective from April (date to be confirmed) a new online portal will replace the current (painful) application form. The new system has some enticing prospects for those just seeking to renew a standard (PDRA01) authorisation:
- No formal review of the Operations Manual. This is a ‘declarative’ process where the operator asserts that the OM and other documents (e.g. logs) are compliant
- Automated renewal reminders
- 24-hour turnaround time, assuming all details (e.g. Operator/Flyer IDs) are correct
- Apply any time from 28 days before renewal
How about costs?
You may have heard rumours of a significant price rise, with all renewals being charged at the initial application rate. The CAA appears to have backtracked on this and we now expect a c.8% increase but with renewals and initial applications attracting the same charge of around £235.
This also allows the tantalizing possibility that missing the renewal date inadvertently no longer sees an eye-watering financial penalty for rehabilitation.
What’s the bigger picture?
The CAA’s gameplan here is to ease (and automate, to an extent) not just standard authorisations the holy grail for operators: the Operating Safety Case.
At the heart of this is the adoption of the so-called ‘SORA’ methodology which introduces a data-driven approach to risk assessment. To put it baldly, it opens up the possibility of the operator providing details of what it intends to do, and mitigations for the risks, and then an intelligent system calculating whether the risk levels are acceptable. In this respect, it could be a vast improvement on the current highly subjective and time-consuming process of getting an OSC approved.
Of course, how and when this will actually happen remains to be seen.
If you would like help with your CAA renewal or with submitting an OSC application Leaping Wing can help. We provide both a document review service and OSC consultancy. For an initial consultation without charge contact us today.
For more information on the new CAA renewal process click here.