Admittedly, this is still a bit of a pipe dream. After all, aside from light shows, drone swarms have not yet become a real issue in the skies. But that is likely to change in the future. And with it come both regulatory and organizational questions. For example, how to deal with what is known as “Swarm Space.” That is, the coordinate space within which the swarm moves as a technically and operationally integrated system.

To date, the relevant European directives do not provide for specific regulations governing the operation of drone swarms. Essentially, therefore, the regulations are left to the individual discretion of the authorities responsible for issuing operating permits. If these authorities accept the operational concept and the risk assessment (SORA), a permit is granted in accordance with the

requirements of the “Specific Category.” This approach presents operators with complex challenges that concern both regulatory compliance and the comprehensive assurance of general operational safety.

Precise Definition of Operations

A central element of operational reality is the precise definition of the operational geography. During the approval process, applicants are required to submit a comprehensive justification based on a SORA for each identified area. This explicitly concerns the delineation of restricted areas, buffer zones, and dedicated contingency areas. The required operational volume must therefore be substantiated through planning and justification at every stage.

During operational audits for swarm operations, national aviation authorities focus primarily on SORA compliance, seamless remote identification via Remote ID, geofencing systems, and the reliability of t…