Major Change from the LBA! FastFlight for Flights in the Specific Category

The German Federal Aviation Office (LBA) has developed a new procedure called FastFlight to issue operating authorizations in the specific category more quickly and easily. This procedure was developed jointly with European states and EASA and is part of the new SORA 2.5 as well as the new AMC1 to Article 12 of EU Regulation 2019/947.

What is new?

• Certain VLOS operations up to SAIL II can now be approved without the requirement to submit and have the operations manual reviewed by the LBA.
• However, the operator remains responsible for maintaining a correct and up-to-date operations manual and must present it if required (e.g. during inspections).
• The issued authorizations are full EU operating authorizations, meaning they are also valid abroad and usually location-independent (generic).

Advantages of the new procedure

• Less bureaucracy
• Faster processing times at the LBA
• Particularly useful for operators with a low risk profile

Who is the procedure suitable for?
Not all applicants can use FastFlight, as certain requirements must be met. However, for a large number of operators, approval should be granted significantly faster.

What role do the OSOs play in the FastFlight procedure?

The OSOs (Operational Safety Objectives) are a central component of SORA 2.5. They define which safety measures an operator must implement to ensure safe UAS operations — depending on the SAIL level (in FastFlight: SAIL I or II).
Even though FastFlight simplifies the approval process, the OSOs remain mandatory and unchanged.

OSOs define the minimum safety standard. For each planned operation, the operator must comply with the OSOs applicable to SAIL I or SAIL II.
This includes:

• Risk mitigation measures
• Technical requirements
• Organizational specifications
• Pilot training & qualification

Procedures for emergencies, communication, data management, etc.

FastFlight does not change the OSOs — only the administrative effort.

Requirements for UAS pilots in the FastFlight procedure (SORA 2.5 / SAIL II)

• Qualification of the UAS pilot
  The pilot must hold the required qualification or license for the planned operation (STS-01).
  Important: FastFlight only eliminates the submission of the manual — not the pilot’s qualification.
• Knowledge of regulations & obligations
  • DVO (EU) 2019/947 (rules for the specific category)
  • Article 11 and UAS.SPEC.030 (requirements for operators & operations)
  • EU and national regulations regarding:
    • Privacy & personal rights
    • GDPR and handling of personal data
    • Liability & insurance
    • Environmental and noise protection
• Ability to safely conduct the operation
  The pilot must be able to:
  • Safely operate the UAS in VLOS mode
  • Monitor the airspace and intervene manually at any time
  • Implement defined emergency, safety, and abort procedures
  • Manage risks in accordance with the operator’s mitigation measures under SORA 2.5
• Compliance with operating procedures
  The remote pilot must correctly apply the procedures defined by the operator, such as:
  • Mission planning
  • Noise reduction and avoidance of disturbance to people and animals
  • Take-off, flight, and landing procedures, safety checks & clearances
  • Handling unauthorized access or safety-relevant incidents
• Documentation & record-keeping obligations
  • The pilot must be able to provide evidence of qualifications, training, and briefings
  • The pilot must support the operator in fulfilling documentation requirements (e.g. entries in daily logs)
    The operator retains these records for at least 3 years
• Technical understanding & maintenance
  The pilot must be able to assess the technical condition of the UAS, report maintenance needs or irregularities, and work closely with maintenance personnel (maintenance documentation is maintained by the operator).
• Insurance & legal framework
  The pilot must be aware of existing liability insurance, authorization-related restrictions, operational areas, airspace rules, and possible conditions, and must comply with them during the operation.

“FastFlight simplifies the application — not the operation. The pilot must meet all qualifications, procedures, and obligations required for safe operations in the specific category.”

Further information on this topic can be found on the LBA website.

This information is already included in our Pro Fly Center STS training courses.