SORA Methodology for Multi-UAS Airframe Inspections in an Airport

Abstract

Deploying Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in safety- and business-critical operations requires demonstrating compliance with applicable regulations and a comprehensive understanding of the residual risk associated with the UAS operation. To support these activities and enable the safe deployment of UAS into civil airspace, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has established a UAS regulatory framework that mandates the execution of safety risk assessment for UAS operations in order to gain authorization to carry out certain types of operations. Driven by this framework, the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) released the Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology that guides the systematic risk assessment for UAS operations. However, existing work on SORA and its applications focuses mainly on single UAS operations, offering limited support for assuring operations conducted with multiple UAS and with autonomous features. Therefore, the work presented in this paper analyzes the application of SORA for a Multi-UAS airframe inspection (AFI) operation, that involves deploying multiple UAS with autonomous features inside an airport. We present the decision-making process of each SORA step and its application to a multiple UAS scenario. The results shows that the procedures and safety features included in the Multi-AFI operation such as workspace segmentation, the independent multi-UAS AFI crew proposed, and the mitigation actions provide confidence that the operation can be conducted safely and can receive a positive evaluation from the competent authorities. We also present our key findings from the application of SORA and discuss how it can be extended to better support multi-UAS operations.

Risks of Drone Use in Light of Literature Studies

“…To minimise risks, many researchers are working not only on drone detection systems but also on other types of countermeasures, solutions, and systems to increase the safety of their operations [ 41 , 264 , 265 ]. These include, for example: Solutions to detect the harmful status of a drone [ 266 ]; Risk analysis models [ 267 ]; Systems for collision avoidance [ 268 , 269 , 270 , 271 , 272 , 273 , 274 ]; Systems to prevent UAVs from entering controlled airspace, such as power plants, airports, and military facilities [ 275 ].…”

“…To minimise risks, many researchers are working not only on drone detection systems but also on other types of countermeasures, solutions, and systems to increase the safety of their operations [41,264,265]. These include, for example:…”

Release of Sterile Mosquitoes with Drones in Urban and Rural Environments under the European Drone Regulation

“…In this regard, several papers about risk analysis and SORA can be found in the literature. Reference [16] analyzes the application of SORA for a multi-UAS airframe inspection (AFI) operation, which involves the deployment of multiple UAS with autonomous features within an airport. In [17], the authors present the most important risks related to conducting operations with the use of UAS by first responders (FRs), while reference [18] presents the application of the SORA methodology for media production with a small UAS team.…”

Safety and Security-Specific Application of Multiple Drone Sensors at Movement Areas of an Aerodrome

“…Today, the airport, which is one of the most complex infrastructures in aviation, is still strictly protected from drone flights. But it is clear that the potential of the technology will allow unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to use airports within a few years (SORA analysis in Luxemburg airport [28,29]: at Luxemburg Airport, a drone operation was carried out, and according to European Union regulation, it was a "specific" category operation. For a "specific" category operation, it is mandatory to carry out a safety assessment.…”