The UAS Unit of the UK Civil Aviation Authority is pleased to announce the following key messages to the UAS Industry and General Public. 

1. We are working hard now to publish a new version of CAP 722 A – UAS Risk Assessment Methodology at the end of January 2021. This publication will incorporate the UK Version of the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) and improve the brevity and clarity of existing guidance. The UK CAA will begin accepting SORA based authorisation applications once this new version of CAP722A has been published.

2. The recent publication of CAP722 – Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – Guidance was a significant overhaul of the keystone policy and guidance document for UAS operators in the UK. It is to be expected that with such a large new document that there will be a few tweaks to improve accuracy, brevity and clarity. We intend to make these improvements in the second quarter of 2021. There is no plan for these improvements to change underlying policy.  Please let us know how you think we can improve the accuracy, brevity and clarity of CAP722. 

3. The Department for Transport (DfT) is in the process of amending the Air Navigation Order (ANO) so that it reflects the applicability of the new UAS regulations. We expect to have the amendment details confirmed to us by early/mid December this year. Guidance on the ANO amendment will be published in a separate CAP as soon as possible afterwards. 

 As always, we look forward to continuing working together with the aim of increasing safety standards and providing clear guidance for all our regulated community.