Dock-based drone monitoring is legal across the European Union and the UK, but it requires specific regulatory authorisation because these operations are classified as BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flights.
EASA regulatory framework: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) categorises drone operations into three categories:
- Open Category — Low risk, VLOS only, limited altitude. Dock operations do NOT qualify.
- Specific Category — Medium risk, includes BVLOS. This is where dock operations fall.
- Certified Category — High risk (passenger transport, urban air mobility). Not applicable to monitoring.
What you need for legal dock operations:
- SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) — A systematic methodology to identify and mitigate ground and air risks. EASA provides detailed guidance in AMC1 to UAS.SPEC.030.
- Operational Authorisation — Issued by the national aviation authority of the country where you operate (e.g., CAA in the UK, DGAC in France, LBA in Germany, ILT in the Netherlands).
- Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) — A qualified person available to monitor and intervene remotely.
- U-space registration — Where applicable, registration in the national U-space system for airspace deconfliction.
Country-specific status (most advanced markets):
- France: DGAC has an established Specific Category framework. Several dock deployments operational.
- Germany: LBA processes SORA applications. Growing adoption in construction and energy sectors.
- Netherlands: ILT is among the most progressive for BVLOS approvals.
- Norway: Avinor/Civil Aviation Authority has streamlined processes for offshore and remote operations.
- United Kingdom: CAA (post-Brexit independent) has its own BVLOS framework closely aligned with EASA.
THE FUTURE 3D manages the complete SORA process as part of our dock deployment service. Check your country's status with our BVLOS Compliance Checker.