PDRA-S - Pre-Defined Risk Assessments

On this page, you can learn more about pre-defined risk assessments - PDRA-S01/S02.

What is PDRA-S?

Pre-defined risk assessments are identical to the European Standard Scenarios (STS-01 and STS-02). The only difference is that you can operate a drone without a C-mark if your operations manual and a cross-reference checklist have been approved by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority. Currently, there are two PDRA-S scenarios available for operation - see details below.

 

To operate under a PDRA-S, you must:

  • Develop an operations manual
  • Complete a Cross-Reference checklist
  • Meet all training and education requirements
  • Adhere to operational restrictions
  • Submit a declaration to Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority

It is crucial to fulfill all requirements of the relevant PDRA-S. Partial compliance or selecting only the elements that suit your operation is not permitted. All criteria must be fully satisfied to operate legally under a PDRA-S.

 

If you wish to operate your legacy drone under the European pre-defined risk assessment PDRA-S01, you must fly within visual line of sight (VLOS) in a controlled, populated area with a drone weighing up to 25 kg.

A controlled area is defined as a location where you have full control over who is present within the area.

  • The drone must remain within visual line of sight throughout the operation.
  • The operation must follow an approved operations manual.
  • The operational area must be controlled to ensure no unauthorized persons can enter.
  • Remote pilots must hold a drone certificate and have passed the practical STS examination.
  • Remote pilots must have completed practical training for STS-01.

 

If you wish to operate your legacy drone under the pre-defined risk assessment PDRA-S02, you can fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) up to 1 km from your location (or up to 2 km with an observer) in a sparsely populated and controlled area with a drone weighing up to 25 kg.

A controlled area is defined as a location where you have full control over who is present within the area.

  • The drone can operate beyond the remote pilot's visual line of sight up to 1 km away.
  • If an observer is present, the operation can extend up to 1 km from the observer.
  • The observer must remain no more than 1 km from the remote pilot.
  • The operation must follow an approved operations manual, which must be submitted to and approved by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority (Trafikstyrelsen).
  • The operational area must be controlled to ensure no unauthorized persons can enter.
  • Remote pilots must hold a drone certificate and have passed the practical STS examination.
  • Remote pilots must have completed practical training for STS-02.

Introductory guidance meeting

Developing a PDRA with its accompanying materials can be a complex process. For this reason, we, the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority, offer a free introductory meeting where we can answer any questions you may have about the process.

However, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the PDRA process beforehand and email us your questions prior to the meeting so we can provide qualified answers.

Before attending the meeting, ensure the following:

  • Complete the application form for operations in the specific category, as it will give both you and us an idea of your intended drone operations (find the form below).
  • Familiarize yourself with the PDRA cross-reference list.
  • Describe (preferably in bullet points) the questions you would like addressed during the meeting.

Request a meeting by emailing info@trafikstyrelsen.dk. Include your company name in the subject line of your email.

The formal application process will only begin when you submit your full PDRA application. Therefore, the guidance meeting is not included in the application process or in the service target for processing time.

Operations manual

The most comprehensive part of operating under a PDRA-S is preparing the operations manual, which must be approved by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority before you can commence drone operations. It is the responsibility of you or your company, as the drone operator, to develop this manual.

The reason is that a drone operator may have multiple remote pilots, and with proper training, these pilots must be able to operate in the standard scenario based on the manual.

It is the drone operator's responsibility to ensure that all procedures are correct. You must be able to explain all the content of your operations manual during reviews or when we visit for inspections.

The operations manual must be prepared following the same model as for standard scenarios.

Submitting your operations manual and cross-reference list

Once your operations manual is complete and you confirm compliance with all requirements for operating drones under either or both of the two PDRA-S types, submit your operations manual and cross-reference list for review by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority.

Every two weeks, we screen new applications and assign a caseworker during a screening meeting. Following this meeting, you will receive confirmation and further information on the process and expected processing time.

As a drone operator, you cannot begin operations until you receive operational approval and your remote pilots have completed the required training (see details on theoretical and practical training below).

At some point, we will visit you for an inspection, where we will review your operations and operations manual with you.

Find the cross-reference lists for PDRA-S below:

Complete the theoretical STS Exam (Applicable to PDRA-S)

Operating under the PDRA-S categories requires completing the same theoretical training as the European standard scenarios. Therefore, you must pass the theoretical STS exam before you can operate under one of the PDRA-S categories.

In Denmark, theoretical STS exams are offered by recognized STS schools that meet the requirements for teaching and testing for standard scenarios.

The theoretical training and exam build on the drone certificate. It is a requirement that you hold at least a drone certificate A1/A3 before you can receive the STS endorsement on your certificate.

The theoretical training and exam ensure you have the knowledge necessary to conduct drone operations that demand more from you as a remote pilot.

The training will prepare you to complete a multiple-choice exam with:

40 questions if you hold an A1/A3 certificate

30 questions if you hold an A2 certificate

The exam evaluates your understanding of operational and technical mitigations.

You will be tested in:

  • Aviation regulations
  • Human limitations
  • Operational procedures
  • Technical and operational mitigations for ground risks
  • General drone knowledge
  • Meteorology
  • Drone flight dynamics
  • Technical and operational mitigations for airspace risks

After completing the theoretical exam, you will also need to take a practical PDRA-S exam.

Overview of approved STS schools

ABC Flight Academy ApS

The STS training provider offers courses at multiple locations across the country. See where on the provider’s website.

www.abcflightacademy.dk [New window]

Droner ApS

The STS training provider offers courses at multiple locations across the country. See where on the provider’s website.

 www.droner.dk [New window]

Scandinavian Drone Solutions ApS

The STS training provider offers courses at multiple locations across the country. See where on the provider’s website.

www.scandidrones.com [New window]

Wefly A/S

The STS training provider offers courses at multiple locations across the country. See where on the provider’s website.

www.wefly.dk [New window]

Complete the practical STS exam

In addition to the theoretical exam, you must also complete a practical PDRA-S test, where you will be assessed on your ability to translate theoretical knowledge into correct operational procedures. The test begins even before you fly your drone, as you must demonstrate your skills in all aspects of the drone operation.

This includes everything from planning the operation to pre-flight checks, securing the area, and the actual flight. During the test, the examiner will assess your skills and issue you an accreditation for completing the practical test once it is determined that you have satisfactorily demonstrated your abilities.

While the theoretical exam is the same for both PDRA-S categories, you must complete a separate practical test for each respective PDRA-S. This means you need to pass a practical test for both PDRA-S01 and PDRA-S02.

 

How to take the practical test:

There are two ways to complete the practical test.

You can take the test with a recognized examiner who has been approved by the Danish Transport Authority for meeting the requirements to conduct the practical test. All schools that offer STS training and the theoretical exam are also authorized to administer the practical test.

You also have the option to complete the test with a drone operator who has implemented measures to assess their remote pilots' practical skills. This requires the drone operator to have specified methods for conducting practical tests in their operations manual and declared their capability to carry out practical assessments. This declaration will be reviewed by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority during an inspection.

The processing of the above applications and permits is subject to a fee in accordance with the applicable regulation on fees and charges issued by the Danish Transport Authority for the aviation sector.

However, if you require an initial advisory meeting before submitting a risk assessment, this is not subject to a fee.

Read more about fees and the applicable fee regulation here.

 

Senest opdateret 15-12-2025