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JARUS Specific Operations Risk Assessment Framework

NAVORA guides operators through structured SORA review workflows across Operations Manual, GRC, ARC, SAIL, evidence tracking, and review package preparation — supporting both SORA 2.0 and SORA 2.5 paths.

JARUS SORA Architecture

Methodology & Risk Domain Stages

Systematic risk assessment structure for unmanned aircraft operations in the Specific category.

Operations Manual

Every SORA assessment begins with a clear and structured Operations Manual. This step defines what the operation is, where it takes place, which UAS is used, how it will be flown, and what volumes and buffers bound the flight. Without a well-defined operational basis, none of the subsequent risk steps can be completed accurately.

The platform supports Flight Geography definition through GIS drawing and KML ingestion, validates mission parameters against declared operational limits, and records a structured Operations Manual that serves as the geometric and operational foundation for the assessment.

  • check_circleGIS drawing & KML ingestion for Flight Geography
  • check_circleParameter validation against operational limits
  • check_circleGeometric and operational foundation
1
Step 01

Operations Manual

Step 1 defines the operational basis by recording the mission profile, operating mode (VLOS, EVLOS, or BVLOS), flight locations, UAS type, maximum operational altitude, and maximum operational speed. This information is used to establish the flight geography, contingency volume, and ground risk buffer that bound the operation and serve as the geometric foundation for all subsequent SORA steps. The platform supports GIS drawing and KML/KMZ ingestion for Flight Geography definition, validates mission parameters against declared operational limits, and records a structured Operations Manual for operator review.

terminalJARUS SORA Workflow Parameters
Operating Mode
BVLOS / EVLOS / VLOS
UAS Type / Speed
Multirotor / Max 85 km/h
Altitude Limit
120m AGL (Class G)
GIS Integration
KML/KMZ Ingestion active
2
Steps 02 & 03

Intrinsic GRC & Final GRC

Step 2 determines the intrinsic Ground Risk Class (iGRC) by combining the UAS maximum characteristic dimension and maximum operational speed with the population density across the flight geography, contingency volume, and ground risk buffer. Step 3 then applies ground-risk mitigations to derive the final GRC: strategic mitigations include sheltering (M1A), operational restrictions such as route cordons or population avoidance (M1B), and ground observation (M1C), while M2 mitigations address UA impact dynamics through means such as parachutes or other impact-energy-limiting technology. The platform maps population density, evaluates mitigation applicability against the relevant rules, and keeps traceable links to supporting documentation.

terminalJARUS SORA Workflow Parameters
Population Density
Dynamic demographic mapping
Intrinsic Ground Risk
iGRC calculation active
Mitigations
M1A/B/C & M2 integration
Final Ground Risk
Final GRC determination
3
Step 04

Initial ARC

Step 4 characterizes the airspace associated with the operation to assign the initial Air Risk Class (ARC), reflecting the generic mid-air collision risk before mitigations are applied. The assessment considers the airspace class (A through G), the presence of controlled airspace, proximity to aerodromes, and any ATZ, TMZ, or RMZ designations in the area of the operational volume. The initial ARC is assigned for both the operational volume and the adjacent airspace where relevant. The workflow supports airspace lookup, controlled-airspace detection, aerodrome proximity review, and structured documentation of the ARC assignment and its supporting reasoning.

terminalJARUS SORA Workflow Parameters
Airspace Class
Class A to G lookup
Zone Detections
ATZ, TMZ, RMZ buffers
CTR/Airport Proximity
Aerodrome boundary analysis
Initial ARC Score
ARC-a / ARC-b / ARC-c / ARC-d
4
Step 05

Residual ARC

Step 5 applies strategic air-risk mitigations to the initial ARC to determine the residual ARC, which represents the remaining mid-air collision risk after pre-flight controls are taken into account. Applicable strategic mitigations include spatial restrictions, altitude restrictions, temporal restrictions, operational-area limitations, and coordination with the relevant air navigation service provider or competent authority. The residual ARC directly drives the TMPR level determined in Step 6. The platform records selected restrictions, eligibility reasoning, and supporting references for review.

terminalJARUS SORA Workflow Parameters
Strategic Controls
Spatial, Temporal, Altitude limits
ANSP Coordination
Coordination context
Residual ARC
Residual ARC determination
Downstream Impact
Drives Step 06 TMPR level
5
Steps 06 & 08

Tactical Mitigations (TMPR) & Containment

Step 6 determines the Tactical Mitigation Performance Requirement (TMPR) from the residual ARC, defining the level of tactical mitigation needed to reduce residual mid-air collision risk within the operational volume. For VLOS operations this involves a VLOS deconfliction scheme; for BVLOS operations it requires a qualified Detect-and-Avoid architecture covering the Detect, Decide, Command, Execute, and Feedback Loop functions. Step 8 determines the containment requirements, assessing the risk of a loss of control resulting in the UA leaving the operational volume and entering the adjacent area, and defining whether Low, Medium, or High containment robustness is required. The platform supports both assessments through containment workflows, adjacent-area calculations, TMPR level assignment, DAA-function mapping, and evidence management for technical and procedural containment means.

terminalJARUS SORA Workflow Parameters
BVLOS Mitigation
DAA Performance standard
DAA Functions Mapped
Detect, Decide, Execute loop
Containment Assessment
Low / Medium / High containment
Adjacent Area Impact
Ground buffer & airspace overflow
6
Steps 07 & 09

SAIL & Operational Safety Objectives

Step 7 combines the final GRC and residual ARC using the SORA SAIL determination matrix to assign a Specific Assurance and Integrity Level from SAIL I to SAIL VI. The assigned SAIL then drives Step 9, which identifies the applicable Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs) and the required robustness level — Low, Medium, or High — for each one, covering UAS design, operational procedures, crew qualification, maintenance, external services, and organizational management. The workflow supports SAIL matrix lookup, maps the applicable OSO set with robustness assignments, and links each requirement to the corresponding operations manual section and supporting evidence.

terminalJARUS SORA Workflow Parameters
SAIL Mapping
SAIL I to SAIL VI reference matrix
OSO Framework
Version-aware OSO set
Robustness Levels
Low / Medium / High assessment
Evidence Linkage
Operations Manual section tracing
7
Step 10

Comprehensive Safety Portfolio (CSP)

Step 10 assembles the Comprehensive Safety Portfolio, which compiles the SORA risk assessment, operations manual references, compliance matrix, and supporting evidence into a structured review package for the operator to review before any external submission process. The CSP provides a traceable record of how each safety requirement arising from the risk assessment — including mitigations, TMPR, containment requirements, and OSOs — is addressed in the operations manual and supporting documentation. The platform prepares a formatted assessment package, indexes supporting references, and shows document completeness before the operator proceeds.

terminalJARUS SORA Workflow Parameters
Document Assembly
Structured review package
Export Format
Formatted export bundle
Evidence Indexing
Version-controlled audit trail
Verification Status
Document completeness check
Process Map

Complete SORA Workflow

The SORA methodology is a risk-proportionate safety assessment process established by JARUS for unmanned aircraft operations in the Specific category. It systematically evaluates ground and air collision risks across ten structured steps to determine Specific Assurance and Integrity Levels (SAIL) and derive the required Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs).

JARUS SORA 2.5 publication package ↗
Operational Input
Assessment Step
Mitigation
Decision Gate
Output / End
Step 1Detailed Operational Information
Ground Risk
Step 2Intrinsic GRC
M1 & M2Ground Risk Mitigations
Step 3Final GRC
No → other authorization pathway
Final GRC ≤ 7?
Yes ↓
Air Risk
Step 4Initial ARC
StrategicAir Risk Mitigations
Step 5 (Opt.)Residual ARC
Step 6TMPR
Step 7SAIL Determination
Step 8Containment
Step 9OSOs
↺ Revise Steps 2–9
Preliminary agreement by authority?
Agreed ↓
Step 10Comprehensive Safety Portfolio (CSP)
↺ Revise CSP
Final assessment & approval?
Agreed ↓
CompleteProcess complete (external decision)

Ready to Apply the JARUS SORA Methodology?

Step through the structured 5-stage workflow to prepare safety portfolios for review.

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