Diploma in Applied SORA and Urban CONOPS
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Applied SORA and Urban CONOPS. 8 modules covering UAS operation categories, CONOPS drafting, ground and air risk, SAIL and OSOs, urban BVLOS operations, and authorisation and oversight under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and JARUS SORA 2.5, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Place UAS operations within the categories of the European framework.
Draft complete and consistent CONOPS.
Calculate the ground risk class and its mitigations.
Determine the air risk class and tactical mitigations.
Assign the SAIL and demonstrate compliance with the OSOs.
Design socially acceptable urban BVLOS operations.
Prepare and submit operational authorisation applications.
Who it's for
- UAS operations managers.
- SORA risk analysts.
- Drone regulatory consultants.
- UAS operational safety managers.
- Senior remote pilots moving into operations and compliance roles.
- Aviation authorisation technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join drone operators.
What you'll work with
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for operating unmanned aircraft)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems and third-country operators)
- JARUS SORA 2.5 (specific operations risk assessment)
- AMC and GM to Part-UAS (EASA) (acceptable means of compliance and guidance material)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 (regulatory framework for the U-space)
- Royal Decree 517/2024 (Spanish UAS and U-space framework)
- ASTM F3442 (detect and avoid system performance)
- QGIS
- DJI FlightHub
- UgCS
- Google Earth Pro
- Microsoft Excel
8 modules
1.1Open, specific and certified categories1.2Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/9471.3Standard scenarios (STS)1.4Operational authorisations and LUC1.5Role of national authorities1.6SORA methodology as AMC1.7SORA 2.0 versus SORA 2.51.8PDRA assessments1.9Urban operations in the regulations1.10Case study: regulatory framing of an urban delivery service
2.1CONOPS structure2.2Description of the organisation2.3Technical description of the UAS2.4Normal procedures2.5Contingency and emergency procedures2.6Crew training and competencies2.7Operational volume and risk buffer2.8UAS maintenance2.9Management of changes to the CONOPS2.10Practical exercise: CONOPS for an urban inspection
3.1Ground risk class (GRC)3.2Characteristic dimension and energy3.3Population density and maps3.4M1, M2 and M3 mitigations3.5Parachutes and energy limitation3.6Emergency response plan3.7Population data in Spain3.8Controlled ground areas3.9Calculation of the ground risk buffer3.10Workshop: GRC for a flight over a dense urban area
4.1Air risk class (ARC)4.2Encounters with crewed aircraft4.3Strategic mitigations4.4Tactical mitigations and TMPR4.5Detect and avoid4.6Controlled and uncontrolled airspace4.7Coordination with ATC and U-space4.8Operations near heliports4.9Traffic density analysis4.10Practical exercise: residual ARC for a BVLOS operation
5.1SAIL determination5.2OSOs and robustness levels5.3Integrity and assurance5.4Containment and adjacent areas5.5Technical requirements for the UAS5.6Organisational requirements5.7Evidence for each OSO5.8High, medium and low robustness5.9Containment mitigations and geofencing5.10Lab: OSO compliance table for SAIL III
6.1Parcel delivery and logistics6.2Medical transport6.3Urban infrastructure inspection6.4Public safety and emergencies6.5Noise and privacy6.6Interaction with U-space6.7Vertiports and delivery points6.8European operational experience6.9Handling public complaints6.10Case study: hospital sample transport operation
7.1Application to AESA7.2Required documentation7.3Assessment by the authority7.4Cross-border operations7.5Audits and continuing oversight7.6Occurrence reporting7.7Management of operational changes7.8Insurance and liability7.9Continuous improvement of the system7.10Workshop: authorisation application dossier
8.1Service definition8.2Complete CONOPS8.3GRC calculation and mitigations8.4ARC calculation and mitigations8.5SAIL determination8.6OSO compliance8.7Emergency response plan8.8Dossier for the authority8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. You work with QGIS, DJI FlightHub, UgCS, Google Earth Pro and Microsoft Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: a complete SORA assessment of an urban BVLOS operation, drafting the CONOPS for a delivery service, and preparing the authorisation dossier for the authority. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, JARUS SORA 2.5, AMC and GM to Part-UAS (EASA), Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664, Royal Decree 517/2024 (Spain), ASTM F3442 (DAA).
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with QGIS, DJI FlightHub, UgCS, Google Earth Pro and Microsoft Excel, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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