Situation in which the C2 connection between the remote pilot/ground station and the UAS fails or becomes unreliable. UAS must have predefined lost link procedures/behaviors for this (e.g., return, landing, flight termination).

Communication link between UAS and ground/control station for transmitting control commands and telemetry. The reliability and latency of the C2 link are important safety factors, especially for BVLOS.

Observer who monitors the airspace to assist the remote pilot in avoiding conflicts. In STS-02, the use of AOs influences, among other things, the maximum permissible range.

Operation with extended line of sight, in which, for example, observers ensure direct visibility of the UAS and pass on information to the remote pilot. EVLOS is regulated differently depending on national implementation.

Operation beyond visual line of sight. BVLOS is typically only permitted in the EU in the Specific Category (e.g., STS-02, PDRA, or SORA-based approval).

Learn more here about LUC BVLOS, the certification for your BVLOS flight.

Operation in which the remote pilot (or an observer in accordance with regulations) can see the UAS directly with their own eyes throughout the entire flight in order to monitor its flight position and surroundings and avoid collisions.

Area on the ground where the operator effectively controls access by unauthorized persons (e.g., barriers, security personnel). It is a central element in STS and in SORA tables for GRC determination.

Additional area around the operational volume that is taken into account in ground risk assessment (GRC). Among other things, it is intended to cover drift, errors, and unlikely individual events (e.g., 1:1 rule: buffer at least as large as flight altitude).

In SORA, the additional space required to keep the UAS safe in the event of a malfunction/deviation by means of contingency procedures (e.g., return-to-home, landing at a defined location).

In SORA, the space in which the UAS is permitted to move as planned during normal operations. It is defined in the ConOps and is part of the operational volume.