Safety and Airspace Regulation Group
Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace: Abbreviations and Master Glossary
CAP 722D
Published by the Civil Aviation Authority, 2020
Civil Aviation Authority Aviation House Beehive Ring Road Crawley
West Sussex RH6 0YR
All rights reserved. Copies of this publication may be reproduced for personal use, or for use within a company or organisation, but may not otherwise be reproduced for publication.
To use or reference CAA publications for any other purpose, for example within training material for students, please contact the CAA at the address above for formal agreement.
First Edition 16 October 2020
Second Edition 7 December 2022
Contents
CAP 722 document series structure | Error! Bookmark not defined. |
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Second Edition 7 December 2022
Full document review and update. Incorporates abbreviations and terms from a complete CAP 722 document series review, introducing Art 16: UAS Operations in the Framework of Model Aircraft Clubs and Associations and aligning with the new Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material to the UAS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as retained (and amended in UK domestic law) Under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
First Edition 16 October 2020
Aim
CAP 722D is the abbreviations list and glossary of terms and for all documents in the CAP 722 series and is the single source of reference.
This document also contains additional abbreviations and terms that may be useful for the UAS Regulated Community.
This document does not replace definitions and abbreviations contained in relevant UAS Regulations
Content
The terminology relating to UAS operations continues to evolve and therefore the abbreviations and glossary of terms sections are not exhaustive.
Terms and definitions in this document are drawn from a combination of applicable UAS regulation, emerging ICAO definitions, EASA and other 'common use' terms which are considered to be acceptable alternatives. Where possible, a reference has been provided, in italics below the definition.
Availability
The latest version of CAP 722D can be located within the publications section of the CAA website.
Updated information can be found within the Updates about Drones section of the CAA website’s UAS webpages.
The CAA also provides a more general aviation update service via the SkyWise system which can be filtered by subject matter for relevant UAS related information.
Enquiries relating to CAP 722D should be made as follows:
For queries relating to the content of CAP 722D:
UAS Unit CAA
Safety and Airspace Regulation Group Aviation House
Beehive Ring Road Crawley
West Sussex RH6 0YR
E-mail: uavenquiries@caa.co.uk
For matters concerning Operations, Authorisations or Approvals:
Shared Service Centre (UAS) CAA
Aviation House Beehive Ring Road Crawley
West Sussex RH6 0YR
Telephone: 03300 221908
E-mail: uavenquiries@caa.co.uk
A2 CofC | A2 Certificate of Competency |
AAIB | Air Accidents Investigation Branch |
ACAS | Airborne Collision Avoidance System |
ACP | Airspace Change Proposal |
AD | Airworthiness Directive |
ADS-B | Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast |
ADQ | Aeronautical data quality |
AEC | Airspace Encounter Categories (JARUS SORA) |
AFIS | Aerodrome Flight Information Service |
AGL | Above Ground Level |
AIC | Aeronautical Information Circular |
AIP | Aeronautical Information Publication |
Airprox | Air Proximity Hazard |
AIS | Aeronautical Information System |
ALARP | As Low As Reasonably Practicable |
ALoSP | Acceptable Level of Safety Performance |
AltMoC | Alternative Means of Compliance |
AM | Accountable Manager |
AMC | Acceptable Means of Compliance |
AMSL | Above Mean Sea Level |
ANO | Air Navigation Order |
ANSP | Air Navigation Service Provider |
AO | Airspace Observer |
AOC | Air Operator Certificate |
APU | Auxiliary Power Unit |
ARC | Air Risk Class (JARUS SORA) |
AR Ops | Airspace Regulation Operations (CAA) |
ASL | Above Surface Level |
ASTM | American Society for Testing and Materials |
ATC | Air Traffic Control |
ATCO | Air Traffic Control Officer |
ATM | Air Traffic Management |
ATPL | Airline Transport Pilot Licence |
ATS | Air Traffic Service |
ATSU | Air Traffic Service Unit |
ATZ | Aerodrome Traffic Zone |
AUP | Airspace User Portal |
BASA | Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement |
BGA | British Gliding Association |
BMFA | British Model Flying Association |
BITE | Built In Test Equipment |
BR | Basic Regulation |
BRLOS | Beyond Radio Line of Sight |
BSI | British Standards Institution |
BVLOS | Beyond Visual line of Sight |
C2 | Command and Control |
CAA | Civil Aviation Authority |
CAP | Civil Aviation Publication |
CAT | Commercial Air Transport |
CG | Centre of Gravity |
CofA Certificate of Airworthiness CofC Certificate of Conformance ConOps Concept of Operations
COTS Commercial Off The Shelf (JARUS SORA) CPL Commercial Pilot Licence
CRM Crew Resource Management CS Certification Specification
CU Command Unit
D
DA Danger Area (Airspace)
DA Design Approval (Airworthiness
DAA Detect and Avoid
DAAIS Danger Area Activity Information Service DACS Danger Area Crossing Service
DAL Design Assurance Level
DfT Department for Transport
DG Dangerous Goods
DMARES Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service DOA Design Organisation Approval
E
EASA European Union Aviation Safety Agency EC Electronic Conspicuity
EC European Commission
ECCAIRS European Co-ordination Centre for Accident and Incident Reporting Systems ELS Emergency Landing Site
EMI Electromagnetic Interference ENR (X.X) En-Route (AIP section)
ENSF Enhanced Non-Standard Flight ERF Emergency Restriction of Flying ERP Emergency Response Plan ESD Electrostatic Discharge
ETSO European Technical Standard Order (EASA) EU European Union
EUROCAE European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment EVLOS Extended Visual Line of Sight
VTOL Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing
F
FAA Federal Aviation Administration FIR Flight Information Region
FISO Flight Information Service Officer FL Flight Level
FLARM Flight Alarm
FMC Flight Management Computer FMS Flight Management System
FSTD Flight Simulation Training Devices FPV First Person View
FRTOL Flight Radio Telephony Operators’ Licence FRZ Flight Restriction Zone
FSTD Flight Simulation Training Device
G
GM Guidance Material
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System GPS Global Positioning System
GRC Ground Risk Class (JARUS SORA)
GVC General VLOS Certificate
H
HF Human Factors
HF High Frequency (Radio Communication) HIRF Hight Intensity Radiated Field
HLS Helicopter Landing Site
HOD Hook-On Device
HMI Human-Machine Interface
HZ Hertz
I
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation ICO Information Commissioner’s Office
ID Identification
IFR Instrument Flight Rules
IMC Instrument Meteorological Conditions IMU Inertial Measurement Unit
IP Ingress Protection
ISA International Standard Atmosphere
ISO International Organization for Standardisation ITU International Telecommunication Union
J
JARUS Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems
K
KE Kinetic Energy
LIDAR
Light Detection and Ranging
LMA
Large Model Association
LOC
Loss of Control
LODA
Letter of Design Approval
LUC
Light Unmanned Aircraft System Operator Certificate
MAA
Military Aviation Authority
MAC
Mid-Air Collision
MASPS
Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards
MOD
Ministry of Defence
MOPS
Minimum Operational Performance Specification
MOR
Mandatory Occurrence Report
MoU
Memorandum of Understanding
MTOM
Maximum Take-Off Mass
NAA
National Aviation Authority
NATS
National Air Traffic Services
NOTAM
Notice to Airmen
NM
Nautical Miles
OAT
Outside Air Temperature
Ofcom
Office of Communications
OM
Operations Manual
OA
Operational Authorisation
OC
Operating Certificate
OM ORA OSC
Operations Manual Operational Risk Assessment
Operating Safety Case (Legacy Term superseded by ORA)
PBO
Performance-Based Oversight
PBR
Performance Based Regulation
PDRA
Pre-Defined Risk Assessment
PfCO
Permission for Commercial Operations (Legacy Term superseded by OA)
PSR
Primary Surveillance Radar
PTF
Permit to Fly
R(TC)
Restricted Type Certificate
R&D
Research and Development
RA
Risk Assessment
RA(T)
Restricted Area (Temporary)
RADAR
Radio Detection and Ranging
RADALT
Radio Altimeter
RAE
Recognised Assessment Entity
RF
Radio Frequency
RLOS
Radio Line of Sight
RMZ
Radio Mandatory Zone
RP
Remote Pilot
RPA
Remotely Piloted Aircraft
RPAS
Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
RPL
Remote Pilot’s Licence
RPS
Remote Pilot Station (ICAO)
RPZ
Runway Protection Zone
RT
Radiotelephony
RTCA
Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (US)
RT
Radiotelephony
RTH
Return to Home
RTSA
Railway and Transport Safety Act
S&A
See and Avoid
SAA
Scottish Aeromodellers Association
SARPs
Standards and Recommended Practices
SARG
Safety and Airspace Regulation Group (CAA)
SB
Service Bulletin
SC
Safety Culture
SC
Special Conditions
SD
Safety Directive (CAA)
SERA
Standardised European Rules of the Air
SI
Statutory Instrument
SIL
Service Information Letter
SLA
Service Level Agreement
SMM
Safety Management Manual
SMS
Safety Management System
SN
Safety Notice (CAA)
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure
SORA
Specific Operational Risk Assessment
SPI
Safety Performance Indicator
SPOF
Single Point of Failure
SPT
Safety Performance Target
SSD
Significant Standards Differences
SSR
Secondary Surveillance Radar
STANAG STC
Standardization Agreement Supplemental Type Certificate
TAF
Terminal Area Forecast
TC
Type Certificate
TCB
Type Certification Basis
TCDS
Type Certificate Data Sheet
TCAS
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System
TDA
Temporary Danger Area
TIP
Technical Implementation Procedures
TLOS
Target Level of Safety
TMZ
Transponder Mandatory Zone
TPM
Technical Procedures Manual
TSO
Technical Standard Order (FAA)
UA
Unmanned Aircraft
UAM
Urban Air Mobility
UAS
Unmanned Aircraft System(s)
UHF
Ultra High Frequency
UIR
Upper Flight Information Region
UK
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
UN
United Nations
VFR
Visual Flight Rules
VHF
Very High Frequency
VLOS
Visual Line of Sight
VO Visual Observer
VTOL Vertical Take-Off and Landing VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions
W
WA Working Arrangement
A
Abnormal Situation
One in which it is no longer possible to continue the flight using normal procedures but the safety of the aircraft or persons on board or on the ground is not in danger.
JARUS SORA
Acceptable Risk
The level of risk that individuals or groups are willing to accept given the benefits gained. Each organisation will have its own acceptable risk level, which is derived from its legal and regulatory compliance responsibilities, its threat profile, and its business/organisational drivers and impacts.
JARUS SORA
Accident
An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which, in the case of a manned aircraft, takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, or in the case of an unmanned aircraft, takes place between the time the aircraft is ready to move with the purpose of flight until such time it comes to rest at the end of the flight and the primary propulsion system is shut down, in which:
a person is fatally or seriously injured as a result of:
being in the aircraft, or,
in direct contact with any part of the aircraft, including parts which have become detached from the aircraft, or, direct exposure to jet blast, except when the injuries are from natural causes, self-inflicted or inflicted by other persons, or when the injuries are to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally available to the passengers and crew; or
the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the aircraft, and would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component, except for engine failure or damage, when the damage is limited to a single engine, (including its cowlings or accessories), to propellers, wing tips, antennas, probes, vanes, tires, brakes, wheels, fairings, panels, landing gear doors, windscreens, the aircraft skin (such as small dents or puncture holes) or minor damages to main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, landing gear, and those resulting from hail or bird strike, (including holes in the radome); or
the aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible.
Regulation (EU) 996/2010 as retained (and amended in UK domestic law) Under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, hereafter referred to as UK Regulation (EU) 996/2010
Accountable Manager
A nominated person who has the authority for ensuring that all activities are carried out in accordance with the applicable requirements and regulations. The Accountable Manager is also responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective Safety Management System.
Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC)
A notice containing information that does not qualify for the origination of a NOTAM or for inclusion in the AIP, but which relates to flight safety, air navigation, technical, administrative or legislative matters.
ICAO Annex 15
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)
A publication issued by or with the authority of a State and containing aeronautical information of a lasting character essential to air navigation.
ICAO Annex 15
Aircraft
Any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the Earth’s surface.
Air Navigation Order (ANO)
The legal document established as a United Kingdom (UK) Statutory Instrument (SI) that is made for the purposes of regulating air navigation within the UK.
Airprox
A situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or a controller, the distance between aircraft, as well as their relative positions and speed, was such that the safety of the aircraft involved was, or may have been, compromised.
ICAO Doc 4444: PANS – ATM
Airspace Change Process
The staged process an airspace change sponsor follows to submit an airspace change to the CAA for a decision. Certain unmanned aircraft airspace restrictions are processed as an airspace change.
CAP 1616
Airspace Change Proposal (ACP)
Requests from a ‘change sponsor’, usually an airport or a provider of air navigation services (including air traffic control), to change the notified airspace design. Airspace change proposals must follow the CAA’s airspace change process.
Airspace Classification
Airspace is broken down into different classes, defined by ICAO. In the UK, Classes A, C, D and E are controlled airspace and Class G is uncontrolled airspace. Classes B and F are currently unused in the UK.
Airspace Observer
A person who assists the remote pilot by performing unaided visual scanning of the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft is operating for any potential hazard in the air.
UAS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as retained (and amended in UK domestic law) Under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, hereafter referred to as UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Airworthiness
The condition of an item (aircraft, aircraft system, or part) in which that item operates in a safe manner to accomplish its intended function.
Airworthy
A UAS is airworthy if the aircraft and all its associated elements are in condition for safe operation.
Applicant
An applicant refers to the individual or organisation who desires to operate a UAS in a limited or restricted manner and submits the necessary technical, operational and human information related to the intended use of the UAS for the NAA to evaluate the risks associated with the operation for the purpose of authorising the operation in an agreed upon manner according to established conditions and limitations of the operation.
JARUS SORA
Approved
Accepted by the certification authority as suitable for a particular purpose.
JARUS SORA
As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)
A Risk can be said to be reduced to a level that is ALARP when the sacrifice of further reduction is “grossly disproportionate” to the decrease in Risk that would be achieved. This sacrifice may include more than just financial cost and will include the time and trouble involved in taking measures to avoid that Risk. Therefore, an ALARP argument must balance the “sacrifice” (in time, money or effort) of possible further Risk reduction measures with their expected safety benefit (incremental reduction in Risk exposure). The balance must be weighted in favour of safety, with a greater “disproportion factor” for higher levels of Risk exposure.
Assurance
The planned and systematic actions necessary to provide adequate confidence that a product or process satisfies given requirements.
Approved Body
A conformity assessment body which has been approved by the Secretary of State under Article 18 of the UAS Delegated Regulation.
UAS Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 as retained (and amended in UK domestic law) Under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, hereafter referred to as UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Assemblies of People
Gatherings where persons are unable to move away due to the density of the people present.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Authorised Representative
Any natural or legal person established in the United Kingdom who has received a written mandate from a manufacturer to act on his behalf in relation to specified tasks.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Automatic (Function)
The execution of predefined processes or events that do not require direct UAS crew initiation and/or intervention.
Autonomous Aircraft
An unmanned aircraft that does not allow pilot intervention in the management of the flight.
ICAO Doc 10019: Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
Autonomous Operation
An operation during which an unmanned aircraft operates without the remote pilot being able to intervene.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
B
Barrier
A material object or set of objects that separates, demarcates, or services as a barricade; or something immaterial that impedes or separates. Both physical and non- physical barriers are utilised and applied in hazard control, i.e. anything used to control, prevent or impede unwanted adverse energy flow and / or anything used to control, prevent or impede unwanted event flow.
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)
A type of UAS operation which is not conducted in VLOS.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
C
Catastrophic
Failure conditions that could result in one or more fatalities.
Cause
Something that brings about an event; a person or thing that is the occasion of an action or state; a reason for an action or condition.
Certificate
Any certificate, approval, licence, authorisation, attestation, or other document issued as the result of a certification attesting compliance with the applicable requirements.
Basic Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 as retained (and amended in UK domestic law) Under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, hereafter referred to as UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
Certification
Any form of recognition in accordance with the UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, based on an appropriate assessment, that a legal or natural person, product, part, non-installed equipment, equipment to control unmanned aircraft remotely, aerodrome, safety-related aerodrome equipment, ATM/ANS system, ATM/ANS constituent or flight simulation training device complies with the applicable requirements of this Regulation and of the delegated and implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof, through the issuance of a certificate attesting such compliance.
UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
Certification Specifications
Non-binding technical standards adopted by the CAA to meet the essential requirements of the Basic Regulation. CSs are used to establish the certification basis (CB) as described below. Should an aerodrome operator not meet the recommendation of the CS, they may propose an Equivalent Level of Safety (ELOS) that demonstrates how they meet the intent of the CS. As part of an agreed CB, the CS become binding on an individual basis to the applicant.
Certified Category
A category of UAS operation that is described in Article 3 of the UAS Implementing Regulation.
Certified Equipment
Considered to be any equipment for which the relevant design organisation has demonstrated compliance with the applicable certificationspecifications and received a form of recognition from the CAA that attests such compliance (e.g., a TSOapproval).
GM1 UAS.SPEC.100 to UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Collision Avoidance
Averting physical contact between an aircraft and any other object or terrain.
Command and Control (C2) Link
The data link between the remotely piloted aircraft and the Remote Pilot Station for the purposes of managing the flight.
Note: Remote Pilot Station is a legacy term and has been replaced by Command Unit.
ICAO Doc 10019: Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
Command and Control (C2) Link Service
A communication service supplied by and third party, providing Command and Control between the unmanned aircraft and the Command Unit.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Command Unit (CU)
The equipment or system of equipment to control unmanned aircraft remotely as defined in point 32 of Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 which supports the control or the monitoring of the unmanned aircraft during any phase of flight, with the exception of any infrastructure supporting the command and control (C2) link service.
Note: Command Unit is now the preferred term and replaces Ground Control Station and Remote Pilot Station. CAA UAS Unit documents containing these terms will be updated in due course.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Commercial/Components off the Shelf (COTS)
Components designed to be implemented into existing systems without extensive customisation and for which design data are not always available to the customer.
JARUS SORA
Complexity
An attribute of systems or items which makes their operation difficult to comprehend. Increased system complexity is often caused by such items as sophisticated components and multiple interrelationships.
JARUS SORA
Compliance
Successful performance of all mandatory activities; agreement between the expected or specified result and the actual result.
JARUS SORA
Component
Any self-contained part, combination of parts, subassemblies, or units which perform a distinct function necessary to the operation of the system.
JARUS SORA
Concept of Operations (ConOps)
Describes the characteristics of the organisation, system, operations and the objectives of the user.
Configuration
The requirements, design and implementation that define a particular version of a system or system component.
JARUS SORA
Configuration Control/Management
The process of evaluating, approving or disapproving, and coordinating changes to configuration items after formal establishment of their configuration identification.
JARUS SORA
Conformity Assessment
The process demonstrating whether the specified requirements relating to a product have been fulfilled.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Conformity Assessment Body
A body that performs conformity assessment activities including calibration, testing, certification and inspection.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Congested Area
In relation to a city, town or settlement, means any area which is a substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purpose.
Consensus Standard
Consensus standards are industry developed standards that define minimum safety and performance requirements of an acceptable product or a means of compliance to specific requirements. Standards organisations include, but are not limited to, the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), SAE International (SAE), ASTM International (ASTM), and the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE).
JARUS SORA
Contingency Area
The projection of the contingency volume on the surface of the earth.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Contingency Procedures
Planned course of action designed to help an organisation respond effectively to a significant future event or situation that may or may not happen.
JARUS SORA
Contingency Volume
The volume of airspace that provides a buffer around the Flight Volume.
Note: If the UA leaves the Flight Volume and enters the Contingency Volume, then the contingency procedures, documented in the OM, must be activated.
GM1 UAS.SPEC.050(1)(h) to UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Continued Airworthiness
The monitoring, reporting and corrective action processes used for in-service aircraft to assure they maintain the appropriate safety standard defined during the initial airworthiness processes throughout their operational life.
Continuing Airworthiness
The set of processes by which an aircraft, engine, propeller or part complies with the applicable airworthiness requirements and remains in a condition for safe operation throughout its operating life.
ICAO Annex 8
Controlled Airspace
An airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided in accordance with the airspace classification.
Note: Controlled airspace is a generic term which covers Classes A, C, D and E airspace in the UK.
ICAO Annex 11
Controlled Ground Area
The ground area where the UAS is operated and within which the UAS operator can ensure that only involved persons are present.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Cooperative Aircraft
Aircraft that have an electronic means of identification (i.e., a transponder) aboard and operating.
JARUS SORA
Critical (Function)
A function whose loss would prevent the continued safe flight and landing of the unmanned aircraft (UA).
JARUS SORA
Critical Infrastructure
Systems and assets vital to national defence, national security, economic security, public health or safety including both regional and national infrastructure.
JARUS SORA
Critical Systems
Systems needed to perform one or more safety functions, in which failure would cause a significant increase in the safety risk for the third parties and/or environment involved.
JARUS SORA
D
Danger Area (DA)
Airspace which has been notified as such within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft may exist at specified times.
ICAO Annex 11
Dangerous Goods (DG)
Articles or substances, which are capable of posing a hazard to health, safety, property or the environment in the case of an incident or accident, that the unmanned aircraft is carrying as its payload, including in particular:
explosives (mass explosion hazard, blast projection hazard, minor blast hazard, major fire hazard, blasting agents, extremely insensitive explosives);
gases (flammable gas, non-flammable gas, poisonous gas, oxygen, inhalation hazard);
flammable liquids (flammable liquids; combustible, fuel oil, gasoline);
flammable solids (flammable solids, spontaneously combustible solids, dangerous when wet);
oxidising agents and organic peroxides;
toxic and infectious substances (poison, biohazard);
radioactive substances;
corrosive substances;
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Datalink
A term referring to all interconnections to, from and within the remotely piloted aircraft system. It includes control, flight status, communication, and payload links.
JARUS SORA
Declaration
A formally and legally binding statement.
Oxford Dictionary
Demonstration
A method of proof of performance by observation.
JARUS SORA
Designated Standard
A technical standard:
which is adopted by the British Standards Institution for repeated or continuous application; and
which has been designated by the Secretary of State by publishing its reference number in a manner the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Detect and Avoid (DAA)
The capability to see, sense or detect conflicting traffic or other hazards and take the appropriate action to comply with the applicable rule of the air.
ICAO Doc 10019: Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
Direct Remote Identification
A system that ensures the local broadcast of information about a UA in operation, including the marking of the UA, so that this information can be obtained without physical access to the UA.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Distributor
Any natural or legal person in the supply chain, other than the manufacturer or the importer, who makes a product available on the market.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
E
Economic Operators
The manufacturer, the authorised representative of the manufacturer, the importer, and the distributor of the UAS.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Electronic Conspicuity (EC)
Electronic Conspicuity (EC) is an umbrella term for a range of technologies that can help airspace users to be more aware of other aircraft in the same airspace.
Emergency Procedures
Procedures that are executed by the UA pilot in command or by the aircraft to mitigate the effect of failures that cause or lead to an emergency condition.
JARUS SORA
Emergency Recovery Capability (ERC)
UAS safety feature that provides for the cessation UA flight in a manner that minimises risk to persons on the ground, other airspace users and critical infrastructure.
JARUS SORA
Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Plan of actions to be conducted, in a certain order or manner, in response to an emergency event.
Environment
The aggregate of operational and ambient conditions to include the external procedures, conditions, and objects that affect the development, operation, and maintenance of a system. Operational conditions include traffic density, communication density, workload, etc. Ambient conditions include weather, EMI, vibration, acoustics, etc.
Everything external to a system which can affect or be affected by the system.
JARUS SORA
Equipment
A complete assembly – operating either independently or within a system/sub-system – that performs a specific function.
JARUS SORA
Equipment to Control Unmanned Aircraft Remotely
Any instrument, equipment, mechanism, apparatus, appurtenance, software or accessory that is necessary for the safe operation of an unmanned aircraft, which is not a part, and which is not carried on board of that unmanned aircraft.
UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
Evaluate
A comprehensive review of an applicant’s UAS and all associated elements of the system. The applicant is expected to provide all information necessary to allow the CAA to objectively determine if the aircraft can be safely operated in accordance with the proposed ConOps.
F
Failure
An event which affects the operation of an item such that it can no longer function as intended.
JARUS SORA
Failure Condition
A condition having an effect on the UAS, both direct and consequential, which is caused or contributed to by one or more failures. Where relevant, a failure condition should consider flight phases (Take-off, climb, cruise, descent, approach, landing), adverse operational conditions, adverse environmental conditions, or external events where they may trigger, contribute to, or worsen the effect of the failure condition.
Failure Mode
The way an item fails to perform its intended function, i.e. the externally observable manifestation of the item failure.
JARUS SORA
Fatal Injury
An injury which is sustained by a person in an accident and which results in his or her death within 30 days of the date of the accident.
UK Regulation (EU) 996/2010
Flight Volume
A volume of airspace that should encompass the entire operation, with sufficient buffer for any operational movement around the flight path, due to navigational errors, expected weather conditions and any other reason for deviating from the flight path.
GM1 UAS.SPEC.050(1)(h) to UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ)
Airspace of defined dimensions around a protected aerodrome consisting of the aerodrome traffic zone, any runway protection zones and any additional boundary zones, within which the permission of the relevant ATS unit or aerodrome operator, as appropriate, is required before a UAS flight can take place.
ANO 2016: Articles 94A and 94B
Flight Termination (system)
Flight termination is a system, procedure or function which aims to immediately end the flight.
Follow-Me Mode
A mode of operation of a UAS where the unmanned aircraft constantly follows the remote pilot within a predetermined radius.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Frangibility
The property of a material through deformation to tend to break into fragments rather than deforming elastically or plastically and retaining its cohesion as a single object.
Frequency
The number of times that something happens during a particular period.
JARUS SORA
G
Geo-Awareness
A function that, based on the data provided by the CAA, detects a potential breach of airspace limitations and alerts the remote pilots so that they can take immediate and effective action to prevent that breach.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Geographical Zone
A UAS Geographical zone is an airspace restriction, established under Article 15.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Geo-Fencing
An automatic limitation of the airspace a UA can enter.
Ground Risk Buffer
An area over the surface of the earth, which surrounds the operational volume and that is specified in order to minimise the risk to third parties on the surface in the event of the unmanned aircraft leaving the operational volume.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Guaranteed Sound Power Level
A sound power level determined in accordance with the requirements laid down in Part 13 of the Annex which includes the uncertainties due to production variation and measurement procedures and where the manufacturer, or his authorised representative, confirms that according to the technical instruments applied and referred to in the technical documentation it is not exceeded.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Guidelines
Recommended procedures for complying with regulations.
H
Handover
The act of passing piloting control from one remote pilot station to another.
ICAO Doc 10019: Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
Hardware
An object that has physical being. Generally, refers to LRUs, circuit cards, power supplies etc.
JARUS SORA
Harm
The term harm, for the purpose of the SORA, relates to undesired events defined as:
Fatal injuries to third parties on the ground.
Fatal injuries to third parties in the air (Catastrophic MAC with a manned aircraft)
Damage to critical infrastructure.
JARUS SORA
Harm Identification
The identification of the harm for which the risk needs to be assessed. For the purposes of the SORA three categories of harm have been identified:
Fatal injuries to third parties on the ground.
Fatal injuries to third parties in the air (Catastrophic MAC with a manned aircraft)
Damage to critical infrastructure.
JARUS SORA
Harm Likelihood Estimation
The estimation (qualitative or quantitative) of the likelihood of the retained harm.
JARUS SORA
Hazard
The condition, object or activity with the potential of causing injuries to personnel, damage to equipment or structures, loss of material or reduction of ability to perform a prescribed function.
ICAO Doc 9859: Safety Management Manual
Height
The vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point measured from a specified datum.
ICAO Annex 5
High Authority
Those systems that can evaluate data, select a course of action and implement that action without the need for human input.
Highly Automated
Those systems that still require inputs from a human operator (e.g. confirmation of a proposed action) but which can implement the action without further human interaction once the initial input has been provided.
Holistic
Characterised by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
JARUS SORA
Holistic Risk Model
Provides a generic framework to identify the threats, hazards and controls applicable to any UAS operation.
JARUS SORA
Hovering
Staying in the same geographical position in the air.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Human Error
Human action with unintended consequences.
JARUS SORA
Human Factors (HF)
Human-machine interface issues with UAS control station displays, controls, functionality, automation, operator workload and system maintainability.
JARUS SORA
Human Factors Principles
Principles which apply to aeronautical design, certification, training, operations and maintenance and which seek safe interface between the human and other system components by proper consideration to human performance.
JARUS SORA
Human Performance
Human capabilities and limitations which have an impact on the safety and efficiency of aeronautical operations.
JARUS SORA
I
Importer
Any natural or legal person established in the United Kingdom who places a product from a third country on the United Kingdom market.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Incident
An occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft which affects or could affect the safety of operation.
UK Regulation (EU) 996/2010
Initial Airworthiness
The system used to determine the applicable requirements and establish that an aircraft design is demonstrated to be able to meet these requirements.
Inspection
An examination of an item against a specific standard.
Integrity
Attribute of a system or an item indicating that it can be relied upon to work correctly on demand.
JARUS SORA
J
Just Culture
Culture in which front-line operators or other persons are not punished for actions, omissions or decisions taken by them that are commensurate with their experience and training, but in which gross negligence, wilful violations and destructive acts are not tolerated.
Regulation (EU) 376/2014 as retained (and amended in UK domestic law) Under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, hereafter referred to as UK Regulation (EU) 376/2014 (Article 2)
K
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is energy of an object due to its motion. It is directly related to the mass or weight of the objective. Kinetic Energy = ½ Mass x Velocity2.
JARUS SORA
L
Large Model Aircraft
A model aircraft with a maximum take-off mass greater than 25Kg.
Latency
This is defined by the time it takes for a request to travel from the transmitter (Command Unit) to the receiver (UA) and for the receiver to process that request. This is the total round-trip time from the Command Unit to the UA and back again. In reliable two-way communication systems, latency limits the maximum rate that information can be transmitted.
Legal Person
An individual, company, or other entity which has legal rights and is subject to obligations.
Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC)
A certificate issued to a UAS operator by the CAA as set out in Part C of the Annex to the UAS Implementing Regulation.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Likelihood
Estimation of the degree of confidence one may have in the occurrence of an event.
JARUS SORA
Likelihood Estimation
The estimation (qualitative or quantitative) of the likelihood of the retained undesired event's harm.
JARUS SORA
Lost C2 Link
The loss of Command-and-Control link with the remotely piloted aircraft such that the remote pilot can no longer manage the aircraft’s flight.
ICAO Doc 10019: Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
M
Maintenance
Inspection, overhaul, repair, preservation, and the replacement of parts.
JARUS SORA
Making Available on the Market
Any supply of a product for distribution, consumption or use on the United Kingdom market in the course of a commercial activity, whether in exchange of payment or free of charge.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Malfunction
The occurrence of a condition whereby the operation is outside specified limits.
JARUS SORA
Manufacturer
Any natural or legal person who manufactures a product or has a product designed or manufactured and markets that product under their name or trademark.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Market Surveillance
Activities carried out and measures taken by public authorities to ensure that products comply with the requirements set out in any relevant enactment and do not endanger health, safety or an any other aspect of public interest protection.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Market Surveillance Authority
An authority responsible for carrying out market surveillance in the United Kingdom.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Maximum Take-Off Mass (MTOM)
The maximum unmanned aircraft mass, including payload and fuel, as defined by the manufacturer or the builder, at which the unmanned aircraft can be operated.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Measured Sound Power Level
A sound power level as determined from measurements as laid down in Part 13 of the Annex; measured values may be determined either from a single UA representative for the type of equipment or from the average of a number of UA.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Methodology
A set of methods and principles used to perform a particular activity.
JARUS SORA
Mid-Air Collision (MAC)
An accident where two aircraft come into contact with each other while both are in flight.
JARUS SORA
Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS)
A MASPS specifies characteristics that should be useful to designers, installers, manufacturers, service providers and users of systems intended for operational use within a defined airspace. Where the systems are global in nature, the system may have international applications that are taken into consideration. The MASPS describes the system (subsystems / functions) and provides information needed to understand the rationale for system characteristics, operational goals, requirements and typical applications. Definitions and assumptions essential to proper understanding of the MASPS are provided as well as minimum system test procedures to verify system performance compliance (e.g., end-to-end performance verification).
JARUS SORA
Minimum Operational Performance Specification (MOPS)
A MOPS provides standards for specific equipment(s) useful to designers, manufacturers, installers and users of the equipment. The word "equipment" used in a MOPS includes all components and units necessary for the system to properly perform its intended function(s). The MOPS provides the information needed to understand the rationale for equipment characteristics and requirements stated. The MOPS describes typical equipment applications and operational goals and establishes the basis for required performance under the standard. Definitions and assumptions essential to proper understanding are provided as well as installed equipment tests and operational performance characteristics for equipment installations.
JARUS SORA
Mitigation
A means to reduce the risk of a hazard.
JARUS SORA
Model Aircraft
An unmanned aircraft used for sporting and recreational purposes, flown by direct control inputs made by the remote pilot without any autonomous capability other than for flight stabilisation purposes.
Note: The definition of a model aircraft may include multi-rotor type drones. Any unmanned aircraft being flown in accordance with the definition above is considered a model aircraft. The use of any automation, such as automatic flight modes which alter the position of the aircraft, places the operation outside the definition of a model
aircraft, and therefore outside the scope of Article 16. The aircraft must be flown with direct control inputs from the remote pilot.
It is acknowledged that many unmanned aircraft have built in failsafe modes, which may be activated in some instances, for example- loss of control link. Activation of such a mode, although possibly automatic in nature, does not necessarily place the aircraft outside the scope of the definition of a model aircraft.
Appendix A: GM1 Article 16 to UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Model Aircraft Club or Association
An organisation legally established in the United Kingdom for the purpose of conducting leisure flights, air displays, sporting activities or competition activities using UAS.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Model Aircraft Flying Display
Any flying activity deliberately performed, by model aircraft, for the purpose of providing an exhibition or entertainment at an advertised event.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
N
Natural Person
A human being as distinguished from a person (as a corporation) created by operation of law.
Night
The hours between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight or such other period between sunset and sunrise, as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority. Note: Civil twilight degrees below the horizon and begins in the morning when the centre of the sun’s disc is 6 degrees below the horizon.
JARUS SORA
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)
A notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.
ICAO Annex 11
O
Occurrence
Any safety-related event which endangers or which, if not corrected or addressed, could endanger an aircraft, its occupants or any other person and includes in particular an accident or serious incident.
UK Regulation (EU) 996/2010
Open Category
A category of UAS operations that is described in Article 4 of the UAS Implementing Regulation.
Operating Safety Case (OSC)
A risk assessment methodology intended for use in the Specific category, which is described in CAP 722A.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Operational Authorisation
A document issued by the CAA that authorises the operation of an unmanned aircraft system, subject to the conditions outlined within the authorisation, having taken into account the operational risks involved.
Operational Risk Assessment See Operating Safety Case
Operational Volume
The combination of the flight volume and the contingency volume.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Operations Manual
A manual containing procedures, instructions and guidance for use by operational personnel in the execution of their duties. (See CONOPS)
JARUS SORA
Operator
See unmanned aircraft system operator.
Oversight
The verification, by or on behalf of the competent authority, on a continuous basis that the requirements of this Regulation and of the delegated and implementing acts
adopted on the basis thereof, on the basis of which a certificate has been issued or in respect of which a declaration has been made, continue to be complied with.
UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
P
Parachute
A device used or intended to be used to retard the fall of a body or object through the air.
JARUS SORA
Payload
Instrument, mechanism, equipment, part, apparatus, appurtenance, or accessory, including communications equipment, that is installed in or attached to the aircraft, and is not used or intended to be used in operating or controlling an aircraft in flight, and is not part of an airframe, engine, or propeller.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Performance-Based Oversight (PBO)
There are two primary functions of the Performance Based Oversight (PBO) approach:
To consistently, proportionately, and efficiently allocate the use of our operational safety oversight teams or ‘field force’
To modify the volume, type and focus of our oversight according to risk and organisational performance
The PBO process allows Sector Managers from each capability area to use the information gleaned from oversight and other safety intelligence sources to build a single cross-capability risk picture, covering all operational aspects of each regulated entity
Pilot
See Remote Pilot.
Placing on the Market
The first making available of a product on the United Kingdom market.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
The number of people living per unit of an area (e.g. per square mile); the number of people relative to the space occupied by them.
JARUS SORA
Practice
Recommended methods, rules, and designs for voluntary compliance.
JARUS SORA
Pre-Defined Risk Assessment (PDRA)
A PDRA is a shortened set of prescriptive conditions that must be complied with by a UAS operator in order to conduct a pre-determined type of operation.
Privately Built UAS
A UAS assembled or manufactured for the builder's own use, not including UAS assembled from a set of parts placed on the market by the manufacturer as a single ready-to-assemble kit.
Procedure
Standard, detailed steps that prescribe how to perform specific tasks.
JARUS SORA
Process
Set of inter-related resources and activities, which transform inputs into outputs.
JARUS SORA
Prohibited Area
An airspace of defined dimensions over the land areas or territorial waters of a State, within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited.
ICAO Annex 11
Protected Aerodrome
A CAA certified aerodrome or a UK Government aerodrome or other aerodromes prescribed for the purpose (by the Secretary of state) in relation to a Flight Restriction Zone.
Air Navigation Order
Q
Qualification
Process through which a State/approval authority/applicant ensures that a specific implementation satisfies applicable requirements with a level of confidence.
JARUS SORA
Qualified Entity
Accredited legal or natural person which may be charged with certain certification or oversight tasks under this Regulation by and under the control and the responsibility of the CAA.
UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
Quantification
The act of assigning a numerical value to or measuring the probability that a specific event will occur.
JARUS SORA
Qualitative
Examples of qualitative data are engineering judgement or judgement based on operational experience.
Quantitative
Examples of quantitative data are calculation, statistics or testing.
R
Radio Line of Sight (RLOS)
A direct radio link point-to-point contact between a transmitter and a receiver.
Requirement for the Accreditation of Market Surveillance (RAMS)
Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE)
An organisation approved by the CAA to submit reports and/or issue certificates on the CAA’s behalf in relation to remote pilot competency.
CAP 722B
Recovery Area
An alternative area identified for the purpose of landing the swarm in the event of an emergency.
CAP 722E
Redundancy
The presence of more than one independent means for accomplishing a given function.
Reliability
The probability that an item will perform a required function under specified conditions, without failure, for a specified period of time.
JARUS SORA
Remote Pilot
A natural person responsible for safely conducting the flight of an unmanned aircraft by operating its flight controls, either manually or, when the unmanned aircraft flies automatically, by monitoring its course and remaining able to intervene and change the course at any time.
UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
Remote Pilot Station (RPS) See Command Unit (CU).
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
An unmanned aircraft which is piloted from a Remote Pilot Station.
Note: Remote Pilot Station is a legacy term and has been replaced by Command Unit. Note: RPA is a subset of unmanned aircraft.
ICAO Doc 10019: Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)
A remotely piloted aircraft, its associated remote pilot station(s), the required command and control links and any other components as specified in the type design.
Note: Remote pilot station is a legacy term and has been replaced by command unit. Note: RPAS is a subset of Unmanned Aircraft System.
ICAO Doc 10019: Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
Restricted Area
Airspace of defined dimensions over the land areas or territorial waters of a State within which the flight of aircraft is restricted in accordance with certain specified conditions.
ICAO Annex 11
Risk
Is a measure of exposure to a possible hazard and it combines the severity of the consequences at the realisation of the hazard (how bad) and the likelihood of suffering those consequences (how often).
Risk Management
Process that encompasses: Hazard Identification; Risk Assessment; Hazard Risk Matrix; Risk reduction; and Risk monitoring and review.
Military Aviation Authority (MAA) 02 – Master Glossary
Risk Ratio
The risk ratio is the ratio between a conditional probability with a mitigating system, divided by a conditional probability without a mitigating system. The conditional probability is, given an encounter, an NMAC occurs. An encounter is defined as proximity of 3000 ft horizontally and ± 350 ft vertically. An NMAC is defined as proximity of 500 ft horizontally and ±100 ft vertically.
JARUS SORA
Robustness
The property of mitigation measures resulting from combining the safety gain provided by the mitigation measures and the level of assurance and integrity that the safety gain has been achieved.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Rotorcraft
A heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by one or more rotors.
JARUS SORA
Runway Protection Zone (RPZ)
A zone, which comprises part of the UAS Flight Restriction Zone. It is the airspace extending from the surface to a height of 2,000 feet above the level of the aerodrome within the area bounded by a rectangle:
whose longer sides measure 5 km,
whose shorter sides measure:
1 km (except in the case of Heathrow Airport), or;
1.5 km, in the case of Heathrow Airport, and;
which is positioned so that:
one of the shorter sides of the rectangle (“side A”) runs across the runway threshold, and;
the two longer sides of the rectangle are parallel to, and equidistant from, the extended runway centre line as it extends from side A out to, and beyond, the runway end to which the runway threshold relates.
ANO 2016: Article 94B
S
Safety
Safety is the state in which the risk of harm to persons or property is reduced to, and maintained at or below, an acceptable level through a continuing process of hazard identification and risk management.
JARUS SORA
Safety Culture
An Engaged Air Safety Culture is that set of enduring values and attitudes, regarding Air Safety issues, shared by every member, at every level, of an organisation. It refers to the extent to which each individual and each group of the organisation seeks to be aware of the risks induced by its activities; is continually behaving so as to preserve and enhance safety; is willing and able to adapt when facing safety issues; is willing to communicate safety issues; and continually evaluates safety related behaviour.
Military Aviation Authority (MAA) 02 – Master Glossary
Safety Management System (SMS)
A systematic approach to managing safety, including the necessary organisational structures, accountabilities, policies and procedures.
Safety Objective
A measurable goal or desirable outcome related to safety.
Safety Risk See Risk
Safety Risk Level
The Initial Safety Risk Level is a combination of the ‘likelihood’ of a Safety Risk occurring and the ‘severity’ of harm to people whilst considering the existing mitigations present. If necessary, further mitigations may be applied which result in a Revised Safety Risk Level.
See and Avoid
The requirement of the pilot of an aircraft to “see” conflicting aircraft and then take appropriate actions to “avoid” a collision, and to remain well clear of other aircraft in accordance with, 14 CFR 91.113, SERA 3201, and ICAO Annex 2 section 3.2.
JARUS SORA
Segregated Airspace
Airspace of specified dimensions allocated for exclusive use to a specific user(s). Note: This definition is currently under review and subject to change.
ICAO Doc 10088
Sense and Avoid
See Detected and Avoid
Separation
Maintaining a specific minimum distance between an aircraft and another aircraft or terrain to avoid collisions, normally by requiring aircraft to fly at set levels or level bands, on set routes or in certain directions, or by controlling an aircraft's speed.
JARUS SORA
Serious Incident
An incident involving circumstances indicating that there was a high probability of an accident and is associated with the operation of an aircraft, which in the case of a manned aircraft, takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, or in the case of an unmanned aircraft, takes place between the time the aircraft is ready to move with the purpose of flight until such time it comes to rest at the end of the flight and the primary propulsion system is shut down.
UK Regulation (EU) 996/2010
Serious Injury
An injury which is sustained by a person in an accident and which involves one of the following:
hospitalisation for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date the injury was received;
a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose);
lacerations which cause severe haemorrhage, nerve, muscle or tendon damage;
injury to any internal organ;
second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5 % of the body surface;
verified exposure to infectious substances or harmful radiation.
UK Regulation (EU) 996/2010
Severity
The consequence or impact of a hazard’s effect or outcome in terms of degree of loss or harm.
JARUS SORA
Software
Computer programs, procedures, rules, and any associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system.
JARUS SORA
Sound Power Level LWA
The A-weighted sound power in dB in relation to 1 pW as defined in EN ISO 3744:2010.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Specific Category
UAS operations in the ‘Specific’ category shall require an Operational Authorisation issued by the CAA pursuant to Article 12, or an Authorisation received in accordance with Article 16.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947: Article 3
Standard
A published document established by consensus and approved by a recognised body that sets out specifications and procedures to ensure that a material, product, method or service meets its purpose and consistently performs to its intended use.
JARUS SORA
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
A set of instructions covering those features of operations which lend themselves to a definite or standardised procedure without loss of effectiveness.
JARUS SORA
Sterile Ground Area
An area on the ground or water within which only people that are involved in the operation are permitted.
CAP 722E
Strategic Conflict Mitigation
For the purposes of the SORA, strategic conflict mitigation consists of procedures aimed at reducing the UAS encounter rates prior to UAS take-off. Strategic mitigation is about controlling or mitigating risk by reducing local aircraft density or time of exposure of an individual UAS. These mitigations tend to take the form of operational restrictions of time or space. Strategic Mitigation does not fulfil the 14 CFR 91.113, SERA 3201, or ICAO Annex 2 section 3.2 to “See and Avoid.” (Examples of strategic mitigation; an operational restriction to fly between the hours of 10PM and 3 AM; operational restriction to stay below 500 feet AGL; operational restriction to stay within 1 mile of a geographic location; etc.). Strategic Mitigation traces to the strategic layer of ICAO’s conflict management concept.
JARUS SORA
System
A combination of inter-related items arranged to perform a specific function(s).
JARUS SORA
System Safety
System safety is a specialty within system engineering that supports program risk management. It is the application of engineering and management principles, criteria and techniques to optimise safety. The goal of System Safety is to optimise safety by the identification of safety related risks, eliminating or controlling them by design and/or procedures, based on acceptable system safety precedence.
JARUS SORA
Swarming
Operation of more than one UA which are controlled collectively rather than individually.
CAP 722E
T
Tactical Conflict Mitigation
For the purposes of the SORA, tactical conflict mitigation is the act of mitigating collision risk over a very short time horizon (minutes to seconds). Tactical mitigations take the form of SDAF loop’s (See, Decide, Action, and Feedback Loop). Tactical Mitigation systems operate using a sensor to “see” the threat, “deciding” how to mitigate the risk, “acting” on the decision, and then having system feedback in order to monitor the risk and implement new corrections if needed. Tactical mitigation may fulfil the 14 CFR 91.113, SERA 3201 and ICAO Annex 2 section 3.2 “See and Avoid” requirement. (Examples of Tactical Mitigation; TCAS, ATC, ACAS, MIDCAS, DAA, ABSAA, GBSAA, See and Avoid, etc.). Tactical mitigation traces to the separation provision and collision avoidance layers of ICAO’s conflict management concept.
JARUS SORA
Take-Off Mass
For the purposes of Article 22, it is the mass of the UA at the point of take-off for that particular flight. See maximum take-off mass (MTOM).
Technical Procedures Manual (TPM)
A manual used to describe all procedures and processes followed by the organisation in support of the organisational scope of work.
Technical Specification
A document that establishes technical requirements to be fulfilled by a product, process or service.
Testing
The process of operating a system under specified conditions, observing or recording the results, and making an evaluation of some aspect of the system.
JARUS SORA
Tethered Unmanned Aircraft
An unmanned aircraft that remains securely attached (tethered) via a physical link to a person, the ground or an object at all times while it is flying. The tether normally takes the form of a flexible wire or a cable and may also include the power supply to the aircraft as well.
Third Country
Any country or territory other than the United Kingdom.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945: Article 41
Third Parties
See Uninvolved Persons.
Threat
In the context of the holistic risk model, a threat is defined as an occurrence that in the absence of appropriate threat barriers can potentially result in the hazard.
JARUS SORA
Tolerable
Risk management term; see also ALARP. The threshold levels of risk appetite that can be accepted. The Health and Safety Executive defines Tolerable as a “willingness by society as a whole to live with a risk so as to secure certain benefits and in the confidence that the risk is one that is worth taking and that it is being properly controlled”.
Toy
Re-org into a def: To be classed as a toy, a product must be able to comply with the ‘Toys (Safety) regulations 2011. Essentially, a ‘toy’ is a product that is considered to be suitable for use by a person who is under the age of 14 years. Therefore, if the product is not marked as such within its packaging, then it cannot be considered to be a toy.
Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ)
Airspace of defined dimensions wherein the carriage and operation of pressure- altitude reporting transponders is mandatory.
U
Uncontrolled Airspace
Airspace with a classification that does not fall under Controlled Airspace. E.g. Class G airspace.
JARUS SORA
Uninvolved Persons
Persons who are not participating in the UAS operation or who are not aware of the instructions and safety precautions given by the UAS operator.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Unmanned Aircraft (UA)
Any aircraft operating or designed to operate autonomously or to be piloted remotely without a pilot on board.
UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
Unmanned Aircraft Observer
A person, positioned alongside the remote pilot, who, by unaided visual observation of the unmanned aircraft, assists the remote pilot in keeping the unmanned aircraft in VLOS and safely conducting the flight.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
An unmanned aircraft and the equipment to control it remotely.
Note: The UAS comprises individual 'system elements' consisting of the unmanned aircraft (UA) and any other system elements necessary to enable flight, such as a command unit (CU), communication link and launch and recovery element. There may be multiple UAs, CUs or launch and recovery elements within a UAS.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Delegated Regulation (UAS DR)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2029/945 on unmanned aircraft systems and on third country operators of unmanned aircraft systems, as retained in UK domestic law.
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Geographical Zone
A portion of airspace established by the Secretary of State that facilitates, restricts or excludes UAS operations in order to address risks pertaining to safety, privacy, protection of personal data, security or the environment, arising from UAS operations.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Unmanned Aircraft System Implementing Regulation (UAS IR)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft, as retained in UK domestic law.
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Operator
Any legal or natural person operating or intending to operate one or more UAS.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
United Kingdom (UK) Marking
Marking in the form published in accordance with Article 30(1) of Requirements for Accreditation and Market Surveillance (RAMS).
Note: See Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products and repealing Regulation (EEC) 339/93.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945
Unmanned Sailplane
An unmanned aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine. It may be equipped with an engine to be used in case of emergency.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
V
Validated
A term used to describe controls/safety requirements that are unambiguous, correct, complete, and verifiable.
JARUS SORA
Variation
Change of an operation or technical data that requires an application to the CAA.
Verified
A term used to describe controls/safety requirements that are objectively determined to have been met by the design solution.
JARUS SORA
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Operation
A type of UAS operation in which, the remote pilot is able to maintain continuous unaided visual contact with the unmanned aircraft, allowing the remote pilot to control the flight path of the unmanned aircraft in relation to other aircraft, people and obstacles for the purpose of avoiding collisions.
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Visual Observer
See airspace observer and/or unmanned aircraft observer as appropriate.