Review
What is to be flown, where and how often? We record the operation, existing technology and personnel, and tell you which category the operation falls into.
UAS Consulting
From the idea to drone operations
Many organisations buy the drone first and then find that the planned operation needs an authorisation, an operations manual and trained personnel they do not have. We work out with you beforehand what your operation requires, and stay with you through to the application to the authority.
In brief
Blue Aviation advises companies and organisations on setting up drone operations that can be authorised: from the concept of operations, roles and procedures to the risk assessment (SORA), operations manual and application. An operational authorisation is required as soon as an operation does not meet the conditions of the open category, for example flights beyond visual line of sight. Scope and price are set out in an individual quote after an initial conversation.
Services
What we take on for you
Operations concept
We write the operations concept (ConOps) and operations manual with you: responsibilities, checklists, approvals, documentation and data protection.
Authorisation
We prepare the documents for the specific category, whether under a standard scenario, a PDRA or your own SORA risk assessment, and support the coordination with the authority.
Approach
Four steps to your drone operation
Operation
What should the drone achieve, and how will you measure success?
Risk
Who and what is on the ground and in the airspace? That determines the risk of the operation.
Organisation
Who flies, who approves, who maintains? We define roles and qualifications.
Implementation
Operations manual, training and technology are in place. The application goes to the authority.
Our approach
The operation first, then the drone
If you settle operation, risk and responsibilities before you buy, you buy the right drone and avoid rework in the authorisation process.
Authorities & organisations (BOS)
BOS consulting & training
For fire services, police, ambulance services and disaster relief: we advise and train teams setting up a drone unit, from the operations concept and roles on scene to documentation and data protection.
Defense
Consulting also available for the Bundeswehr and defense organisations
Beyond the civilian sector we also advise in defence, for example the Bundeswehr: on operations concepts, operating structures and training paths, under the security and classification requirements that apply there.
Frequently asked questions
Operational authorisation and consulting in brief
When do I need an operational authorisation?
As soon as one condition of the open category is not met, the operation falls into the specific category and requires an operational authorisation under Article 12 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. Typical cases are flights beyond visual line of sight, above 120 metres or with drones of 25 kg or more.
Which routes exist in the specific category?
Four: a declaration under a standard scenario (STS), an authorisation based on a predefined risk assessment (PDRA), an authorisation with your own risk assessment following SORA, or a light UAS operator certificate (LUC), which lets an operator approve its own operations.
What is SORA?
SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) is the method used to assess the ground and air risk of an operation and to derive the required safety measures. For first applications to the German Federal Aviation Office, only SORA 2.5 has been accepted since 1 January 2026.
Which authority is responsible in Germany?
That depends on where the applicant is based. The Federal Aviation Office is responsible for Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Berlin, among others; in the remaining federal states, for example Lower Saxony, the state aviation authority decides.
How long does an authorisation take?
That depends on the authority and the project. The Federal Aviation Office currently states a waiting time of well over six months before processing of an application begins. Complete, consistent documents avoid additional queries.
How much does the consulting cost?
The effort depends on the operation profile and the organisation. After a short initial conversation you receive an individual quote. Request an initial conversation.
Does Blue Aviation also advise public authorities and defence organisations?
Yes. For fire services, police, ambulance services and disaster relief there is our BOS consulting. We also advise the German armed forces and other defence organisations.
As of October 2026, without guarantee. The authoritative sources are Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and the guidance of the German Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) and EASA.
Initial consultation
Let's talk about your operation
In the initial consultation we clarify which category your project falls into, what it requires and how much effort you should expect.