Operations subject to authorisation in the ‘specific’ category | Traficom
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Transport and Communications Agency

Operations subject to authorisation in the ‘specific’ category

When planning a drone operation, you should always consider whether the operation could be adapted so that you could operate in accordance with the rules set for the ‘open’ category. If this is not possible, the operation is subject to authorisation regardless of whether the operation falls under hobby, private or commercial activities. Below you will find instructions on how to apply for an operational authorisation for the ‘specific’ category.

You can apply for an operational authorisation in the ‘specific’ category based either on a predefined risk assessment (PDRA) published by EASA or your own specific operations risk assessment (SORA). Before that, click on the following link to check whether you will be able to adjust your operations to meet the requirements of the 'open' category. 

Operators in the ‘specific’ category must always be registered and the registration period must be valid during the operation.

The objective of a PDRA is to ease the operational authorisation application process by identifying the most common operation types subject to an authorisation and drafting the risk assessments in advance. This would mean that the operator only needs to prove that their operations comply with the PDRA boundary conditions.

Applying for and processing authorisations based on a PDRA is a lighter process compared to applications based on SORA risk assessments carried out by the applicant.

You can find more detailed information on the PDRA in the designated subsections.

Read more about the PDRA

The ways in which the risks of UAS operations must be assessed are specified in the EU Drone Regulation. The risk assessment must be carried out in accordance with the SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) method. SORA determines the preliminary ground and air risks and risk mitigation means. Based on these, an overall assurance level will be determined for the operation (SAIL, Specific Assurance and Integrity Level). Based on the overall assurance level, different levels of requirements will be determined for the activities and equipment used.

You can find more detailed information on the SORA process in the designated subsection.

Read more about the SORA risk assessment

Click the link below to find instructions on applying for an operational authorisation, including instructions on how to complete the application and which documents to attach to the application.

Applying for an operational authorisation

The CBO application must be submitted to Traficom via email at least four weeks before the planned date of operation. Once Traficom is satisfied with the application and the proposed mitigation measures, it will issue a CBO confirmation to the applicant and notify the national aviation authority of the operator’s state of registration.

The applicant is permitted to begin operations at the intended location in Finland only after receiving the CBO confirmation. The processing fee is 230€.

Required Documentation

Applicant must provide to Traficom the following documentation in English:

  • An application form for a cross-border UAS operation in the ‘specific’ category
  • A copy of the operational authorization (PDRA or SORA) or LUC issued by the Competent Authority of the Member State of registration.
  • The operations manual (OM), including the adapted operational procedures and mitigation measures to comply with the applicable local conditions in Finland. Local conditions in Finland are as follows:
    • Icing conditions maybe encountered
    • Population density map can be found at . Population grid data 1 km x 1 km 2021
    • UAS geographical zones in Finland can be found at  or in visual format in 
    • If the area of operation is larger than 500 km2 or operator intends to photograph some areas they need a permit from the Finnish Defense Forces 
  • GPS file of the intended flight location (e.g.*kml) indicating flight geography and contingency volume. Please use formulas provided by LBA's Guidance Material for Dimensioning of Flight Geography, Contingency Volume and Ground Risk Buffer https://www.lba.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/B/B5_UAS/Leitfaden_FG_CV_GRB_eng.html?nn=622248

Send all required documents to: kirjaamo@traficom.fi and uas@traficom.fi 

THE EASA REGULATION AND THE RELATED GUIDANCE MATERIAL

Link to the EASA regulation and the related guidance material

LUC OPERATOR CERTIFICATE

An operator in the ‘specific’ category may apply for a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC operator certificate). However, this requires experience in operating in the ‘specific’ category, a mature organisational management system and completing several operational authorisation processes. 

THE ‘CERTIFIED’ CATEGORY

Any operation will be classified as ’certified’ when the operation in question involves

  • the transport of people
  • the carriage of dangerous goods
  • flying over assemblies of people using larger unmanned aircraft systems ( >3 m )
  • an inability to mitigate the risk sufficiently based on the SORA risk assessment.

The requirements of the Drone Regulation for the certified category will be completed gradually.

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