It Depends Aero GmbH

Specific Operational Risk Assessment

Specific Operational Risk Assessment (SORA)

We support operators and manufacturers in achieving mission approval for drones under the EASA framework by conducting Specific Operations Risk Assessments (SORA). Based on your Concept of Operations, we determine the intrinsic Ground Risk Class and Air Risk Class and propose mitigations to reduce these risks to acceptable levels.

Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs)

We guide you through the evaluation of operational safety objectives (OSOs), robustness of technical and operational mitigations, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Templates and Training

Depending on project needs, we can prepare the complete SORA documentation, review existing assessments for completeness and accuracy, or provide templates and training to build internal expertise.

Gap Analysis

Gaps against OSOs

Our gap analysis service evaluates your current design and processes against applicable Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs). We identify deficiencies and provide actionable recommendations to ensure compliance and enhance system performance. By assessing your existing framework, we help you understand the steps needed to meet regulatory standards and achieve operational goals.

Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL) Augmentation

For clients targeting a higher Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL), we conduct a thorough assessment of your design and processes. Our team pinpoints necessary changes to elevate your product to a higher SAIL, offering tailored guidance to implement improvements efficiently and align with stricter safety and reliability requirements.

Specific Assurance and Integrity Level I to III

We support SAIL I-III by helping you achieve Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs) through expertise in system design, safety, reliability, software, and cybersecurity. Our team conducts assessments, such as for OSO #5 (system safety and reliability per ED-280), to ensure your systems meet regulatory standards. We collaborate to integrate robust safety and reliability practices into your design process.

Additionally, we assist in defining and implementing best practices and processes tailored to your project. Our comprehensive support ensures your unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or engineering solutions are compliant, safe, and reliable for low- to medium-risk operations under SAIL I-III.

Specific Assurance and Integrity Level IV

For SAIL IV, we streamline the preparation of the Design Verification Report (DVR) to demonstrate compliance with Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs). As the first level where Special Condition UAS applies, we guide you through its requirements, helping you establish a corresponding requirement baseline. Our expertise ensures your DVR meets regulatory expectations.

We also support the development and submission of Means of Compliance (MoCs) proposals to demonstrate adherence to SAIL IV standards. Our team provides end-to-end assistance, from design verification to regulatory navigation, ensuring a smooth path to certification.

Specific Assurance and Integrity Level V and VI

SAIL V and VI require a Type Certificate (TC), and our team brings extensive experience from certification projects involving SC VTOL, SC E19, CS23, and CS27/29. We guide you through the complex certification process, offering support with certification plans, compliance audits, and technical documentation to meet high-risk operational standards.

Our expertise in advanced platforms, including vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems and electric propulsion, ensures your project aligns with regulatory frameworks. We provide comprehensive support to navigate certification challenges, delivering compliant, high-performance solutions for SAIL V-VI.

Engineering Support

Engineering and Assurance

We support Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) manufacturers and operators with a complete range of engineering and assurance services throughout the development lifecycle.

Our Expertise

Our expertise covers systems engineering, requirements management, and verification and validation (V&V), ensuring traceability and consistency from concept through qualification.

Configuration Management

We establish robust configuration management processes that maintain control and transparency across evolving designs, software, and test assets.

Simulation

Our team also develops and applies simulation environments to model system behaviour, assess performance, and support early validation of operational concepts.

This integrated approach helps UAS organisations achieve mature and mission-ready systems with reduced development risk and higher engineering confidence. See more at our Systems Engineering site.