Risk Assessment based on SORA Methodology for a UAS Media Production Application

This paper describes the application of the SORA (Specific Operational Risk Assessment) methodology to perform a risk assessment of an operation for aerial cinematography to be conducted with an autonomous small team of UAS developed in the EU-funded MULTIDRONE project. The purpose of applying SORA, which is the methodology developed by JARUS (Joint Authorities for Rule-making on Unmanned Systems), is to obtain regulatory approval to conduct these UAS flights for filming rowing/cycling races in rural scenarios. The paper goes through all steps in SORA, evaluating operational risks and discussing mitigation actions in the system. A positive evaluation is estimated for the operation proposed, which will ease technology transfer for the MULTIDRONE system and its future integration into airspace operations.