Specific category · SAIL IV

SAIL IV — what it means and how you solve it

Medium risk under EU Regulation 2019/947: full SORA analysis, bowtie, Statement of Compliance and an operating permit from the LBA.

  • iGRC 5–6 — typically BVLOS, populated environment or heavier UAV
  • Operating permit with full SORA documentation
  • LUC Scope B covers recurring operations
  • LBA processing time typically 8–16 weeks
  • GDDC supports ConOps, SORA and submission
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  • EU 2019/947 · DVO 1178/2011
  • 13 Szenarien LBA-genehmigt
  • Sachverständiger ISO 17024
  • SORA Full Service · GDDC
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  • iGRC 5–6

    Intrinsic Ground Risk Class

  • 8–16 wks

    Typical LBA processing time

  • LUC B

    Light UAS Operator Certificate — medium scope

  • BVLOS

    Common operating feature at SAIL IV

What is SAIL IV?

SAIL IV belongs to the specific category (EU Regulation 2019/947 annex), medium-risk band. It typically applies to:

  • iGRC 5 or 6 — e.g. flights in populated areas or with increased weight
  • Operating authorisation from the competent authority (in Germany: LBA, and where applicable DFS/BAIUDBw)
  • LUC in the medium scope — covers permits independently
  • SORA process: ConOps → bowtie → Operational Safety Objectives (OSOs) → mitigations → Statement of Compliance

The binding classification of your scenario is determined solely through the official review by the LBA.

Typical scenarios

When do you typically end up at SAIL IV?

  • High-voltage line BVLOS

    Inspection of overhead lines in rural surroundings — automated missions over several kilometres.

  • Photovoltaic park

    Large-scale PV inspection with 5 km range and recurring routes.

  • Security overflight

    Enclosed containment zones of critical infrastructure — documented patrols and alarm integration.

  • Application >25 kg

    Heavier UAV for agricultural application — operating permit with a full SORA analysis.

› EU 2019/947

Distinction SAIL III · IV · V

Guidance — the binding level results from your SORA analysis.

  • SAIL III
    iGRC
    4
    Permit path
    Operating permit (simple)
    ConOps depth
    Standard template
    LBA duration
    ~4 weeks
    GDDC service
    ConOps review
  • SAIL IV
    iGRC
    5–6
    Permit path
    Operating permit / LUC Scope B
    ConOps depth
    Full bowtie analysis
    LBA duration
    8–16 weeks
    GDDC service
    ConOps + SORA full service
  • SAIL V
    iGRC
    7
    Permit path
    LUC Scope C or Certified
    ConOps depth
    Certification approach
    LBA duration
    6–18 months
    GDDC service
    Certification support

Non-binding overview — your classification depends on the drone, environment and operating concept.

SORA process

The path to an operating permit (SAIL IV)

  1. Create ConOps

    Your flight scenario: area, drone, operating mode, emergency procedures and responsibilities.

  2. Ground + Air Risk Assessment

    Bowtie analysis: identify, assess and mitigate ground and air risks.

  3. OSOs + evidence

    Define Operational Safety Objectives and substantiate them with technical/organisational evidence.

  4. Statement of Compliance

    Consolidation of all evidence into an authority-ready compliance document.

  5. LBA submission

    Application to the Federal Aviation Office (LBA) — on request GDDC handles the complete submission.

What GDDC handles for you

  • SORA full service

    ConOps, bowtie, OSOs, Statement of Compliance and LBA submission from a single source.

  • ConOps check

    Entry package: we review your scenario and provide a binding roadmap to the permit.

  • LUC support

    Application and documentation for a Light UAS Operator Certificate Scope B.

Request an operating permit

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Academy

Training basis for SAIL IV

A2 CoC and STS-02 form the professional basis for commercial specific-category operations.

Alle Kurse im Ausbildungsportal →

  • 01What is the difference between SAIL III and SAIL IV?+

    SAIL III covers iGRC 4 with a simplified operating permit. From SAIL IV (iGRC 5–6) a full SORA analysis with bowtie, Operational Safety Objectives and Statement of Compliance is required — usually within a LUC Scope B.

  • 02Do I need a LUC for SAIL IV?+

    From SAIL IV a Light UAS Operator Certificate in the medium scope is typically required. The LUC allows you to cover permits independently, without submitting every individual operation separately to the LBA.

  • 03How long does LBA processing take?+

    For SAIL IV we expect 8–16 weeks of processing time at the Federal Aviation Office, depending on the completeness of the documents and the complexity of the scenario.

  • 04What is a ConOps?+

    The Concept of Operations describes your planned flight scenario: drone type, operating area, operating mode, emergency procedures and organisational responsibilities. It is the basis for the SORA analysis.

  • 05What does GDDC handle?+

    GDDC prepares the ConOps, carries out the SORA analysis, documents mitigations and submits the operating permit to the LBA. Optionally we support you with the LUC application.

  • 06Which training do I need beforehand?+

    For commercial operations we recommend the A2 remote pilot certificate and STS-02 as a basis. For SAIL IV, SORA-specific know-how in the team is additionally required.

  • 07Does SAIL IV also apply to BVLOS flights?+

    Many BVLOS scenarios in populated or infrastructure-adjacent surroundings fall under SAIL III/IV. The binding classification is determined solely through the SORA analysis and the LBA.

  • 08Does this page replace legal advice?+

    No. This info page is a guide. Binding permits are issued solely by the Federal Aviation Office (LBA).

Related pages

Permit finderPermits hub →SAIL I–II →SAIL V–VI →
  • 13 Szenarien LBA-genehmigt
  • Sachverständiger ISO 17024
  • GDDC · Hosting in Deutschland