UAS flightworthiness assessments

We are proud to be approved by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as a Recognised Assessment Entity for Flightworthiness (RAE(F)) of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

Marshall has a wealth of expertise as a design and certification organisation for manned aircraft as well as expert technical and regulatory knowledge gained from years of experimental designs, novel modifications and contributions to evolving global regulations and aviation standards.

This background positions us well to advise on compliance with safety and regulatory standards in line with UK SORA requirements for UAS. We are pleased to be driving the safe and responsible adoption of more advanced civil UAS technologies and services in the UK.

What is SORA?

The UK CAA’s Specific Operations Risk Assessment (UK SORA) is a methodology that can be used to secure an operational authorisation in the specific category of UAS operations. As a part of the assessment process, designers and/or operators must demonstrate they comply with UK SORA’s flightworthiness requirements.

Marshall, as a recognised entity, offers flightworthiness assessments of specific category UAS designs. These assessments form the basis of recommendations to the CAA on the compliance of the proposed UAS in line with UK SORA.


UK CAA's Specific Operations Risk Assessment (UK SORA)

Flightworthiness assessment process

If you are a UAS designer and/or operator seeking approval to operate a UAS, follow our step-by-step process to start your flightworthiness assessment;

  1. Click the green 'APPLY NOW' button below to send a message via our contact form
    • Please enter your details
    • Select the 'UAS flightworthiness assessment' option from the 'Purpose of Enquiry' dropdown
    • Enter a brief description of your UAS in the 'Message' box.
  2. Marshall will send you pro forma questions via email, please return your answers through the same email
  3. Marshall will provide a quote and terms & conditions for your review and approval
  4. Once a service agreement has been signed, you will receive an invoice which must be paid before the assessment can begin
  5. Marshall will conduct the assessment and invoice for any additional work beyond the original agreement carried out
  6. Once Marshall has confirmed receipt of the final payment, you will receive the flightworthiness report, if successful


Apply now

What you need to submit

To conduct a flightworthiness assessment, we will need you to provide us with the following:

  • Concept of Operations details
  • General description of the UAS
  • SAIL Mark Certificate (if applicable) and details of any proposed modifications - Marshall has the authority to assess the validity of a SAIL mark certificate
  • Compliance basis consisting of all flightworthiness requirements in UK SORA applicable to the application. Marshall encourages the Applicant to use templates provided by the CAA and include the following information for each requirement:
  • Access to witness key tests identified during the compliance basis review may be necessary
  • When your compliance demonstration evidence is complete, submit the compliance evidence for review

Apply now

What to expect

You can expect Marshall to provide you with formal feedback on the validity of your existing SAIL Mark Certificate (if applicable), compliance basis and compliance evidence through formal coordination letters. We will also issue you and the CAA with a flightworthiness report which provides the outcome of the assessment – this constitutes our formal advice to the CAA on the flightworthiness of an application.

Should we have to feedback any shortcomings in the data you provide we will endeavour to include justifications. However, we will be unable to advise how to demonstrate compliance due to our need to maintain independence between verification and developing compliance evidence.