This project has received funding from a Contribution Agreement The critical area of a drone is a key element to determine the ground risk within the SORA assessment.
The critical area assessment can be complex due to the plethora of the contributing effects and factors. To reduce the burden on UAS operators and foster a harmonised approach towards the calculation of the critical area, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) developed the Critical Area Assessment Tool (CAAT) to support applicants in the ground risk determination.
The CAAT is accessible through the “CAAT” box below as well as via the IAM Hub Member Zone. To gain access, follow the IAM Hub Member Zone registration link. See also the Guidelines for the Assessment of the Critical Area of an Unmanned Aircraft.
The CAAT may be used by applicants to calculate the critical area of their drone, in order to demonstrate that their drone may be classified in a lower ground risk class compared to the one assigned in the SORA ground risk class table.
For example, a drone with characteristic dimensions of 3.5 m may have a critical area equal to a drone with only a 3-m dimension as per the SORA ground risk class table. In this case, a reduction in the ground risk class may be claimed in SORA Step#2.
This CAAT is a module of the EASA Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) Hub, which is a unique digital platform that brings together all actors in the European system including cities, regions, national authorities, the European Union, operators and manufactures. The primary goal is to facilitate the safe, secure, efficient, and sustainable implementation of IAM practices. It is flagship action number 7 of the Drones Strategy 2.0.
This project has received funding from a Contribution Agreement with the European Commission.
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