GVC Operational Risk Assessment

Question 1

In a drone operational risk assessment, what is meant by 'Ground Risk Class' (GRC)?

Accepted Answer

A measure of the expected severity of harm to people on the ground if the drone crashes

Answer

Ground Risk Class (GRC) is used in the SORA methodology to quantify the risk to people on the ground in the event of an uncontrolled landing or crash. It considers factors such as drone size, population density below the flight path, and whether the area is controlled (e.g., a cordoned-off site).

Question 2

What is an 'operational volume' in the context of a SORA risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

The volume of airspace used during normal operations, defined by lateral and vertical boundaries including buffers

Answer

The operational volume is the three-dimensional airspace block within which the drone conducts its normal mission, including buffers for navigation uncertainty and contingency manoeuvres. It forms the basis for assessing both ground and air risk in the SORA process.

Question 3

What is a 'contingency volume' in SORA and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

The additional airspace beyond the operational volume into which the drone may fly to execute a contingency procedure, such as an emergency landing

Answer

The contingency volume surrounds the operational volume and accounts for the space needed if the pilot must take emergency action — such as breaking off the mission and landing quickly. Ensuring there are no conflicting aircraft or hazards in the contingency volume is essential to safe operations.

Question 4

How does population density affect the Ground Risk Class in a SORA assessment?

Accepted Answer

Higher population density increases the GRC because more people could be harmed if the drone crashes

Answer

SORA considers population density as a primary factor in GRC. Flying over densely populated urban areas creates higher ground risk than flying over uninhabited rural land, because the probability of a person being struck in the event of a crash is significantly greater.

Question 5

What is a 'mitigating measure' in a drone operational risk assessment, and give an example?

Accepted Answer

An action or technical measure that reduces the likelihood or severity of an identified risk, e.g., cordoning off the area below the flight path to exclude uninvolved persons

Answer

Mitigating measures reduce either the probability of a hazard occurring or its consequence if it does. Establishing a controlled ground area (cordon) below the flight path is a common mitigation that reduces population exposure and can lower the effective GRC, enabling operations that would otherwise exceed open category limits.

GVC Drone Practice Test

GVC Drone Practice Test

GVC Operational Risk Assessment