Achieving Autonomous Drone Operations and Expansion in Europe through the Light Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operator Certificate (LUC)

Achieving Autonomous Drone Operations and Expansion in Europe through the Light Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operator Certificate (LUC)

As drone operations become more complex and valuable, a flexible regulatory approach is a must. Meet the Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC): a game-changer for professional drone organizations operating under EASA Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

The LUC isn't mandatory, it's an opportunity. It signals that your organization has the internal processes, expertise, and controls to manage aviation risk with maturity. It grants operational autonomy in a way no other approval can - but with great power comes great responsibility.

In this blog, we'll discuss what the LUC is, what it takes to get one, and how our website's software and consultancy support every aspect of LUC readiness and compliance.

What's the Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC)?

The Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) is issued by a national aviation authority (NAA) to organizations that demonstrate the ability to manage risk through robust internal processes. Unlike standard authorizations (STS, PDRA or SORA) in the Specific Category, a LUC allows operators to self-authorize certain operations, reducing regulatory friction and speeding up deployment.

Key LUC Privileges:

Depending on the scope granted by the NAA, LUC holders may be authorized to:

• Approve SORA-based operations without submitting each mission
• Self-declare for Pre-Defined Risk Assessments (PDRAs) and Standard Scenarios (STSs)
• Conduct cross-border operations with minimal administrative burden
• Reduce the frequency and intensity of oversight from the authority

This transforms the operational model from reactive (apply, wait, get approval) to proactive (assess, document, execute). This is especially valuable for high-tempo organizations such as infrastructure operators, security providers, and public safety agencies.

What It Takes to Get a LUC

To qualify for a LUC, operators must demonstrate:

• A fully implemented and effective Safety Management System (SMS)
• A clear organizational structure with defined roles, responsibilities, and authority
• Documented and auditable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency procedures
• A comprehensive Operations Manual (OM), including version control and amendment logs
• Training and competence management systems for all staff (remote pilots, observers, payload operators)
• Maintenance procedures and technical oversight of the UAS and associated equipment
• Processes for internal review and approval of operations, including risk assessment, containment, and safety documentation

It's not just about flying safely, it's about proving that you can consistently manage and document safety.

The Ongoing Responsibilities of LUC Holders

Holding a LUC means that the NAA trusts you to take over part of its oversight role. In return, you must:

• Conduct regular internal audits and compliance reviews
• Maintain up-to-date documentation and training records
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions
• Update your NAA with significant organizational or operational changes
• Ensure all operations remain within the scope of your approved privileges

These obligations demand discipline, coordination, and a digital infrastructure that supports both operations and compliance.

How Our Website's Platform Supports LUC Operators

At our website, we have built a Drone Operations Platform that directly supports LUC-certified organizations, making day-to-day operations compliant by design.

1. Operations Manual, SOPs & Checklists

Upload, version-control, and distribute your OM and SOPs across your team. Integrate digital checklists tied to flight types, aircraft, and crew roles, ensuring compliance with internal and regulatory procedures on every mission.

2. Safety Management System (SMS)

Log and track incidents, assign corrective actions, and document lessons learned-all in a structured, auditable workflow. Built-in reporting supports both internal reviews and NAA submissions.

3. Crew Competence & Training Management

Maintain detailed records of pilot certifications, training completion, and validity periods. Restrict roles or aircraft access if qualifications expire. Monitor crew experience (flight hours, recency) across all operations.

4. Fleet & Equipment Oversight

Track aircraft usage, maintenance events, and firmware updates. Automate reminders based on flight hours or calendar dates. Document battery cycles, payload usage, and system faults, all tied to specific missions and operators.

5. Flight Planning & Operational Control

Define and visualize Flight Geography, Contingency Volumes, and Ground Risk Buffers. Overlay airspace data (CTR, NOTAMs, geographical zones) and custom map layers. Export visuals and documentation for risk assessments and SORA compliance.

6. Data Retention & Audit Readiness

Automatically store logs, checklists, authorizations, and operational evidence. Organize documentation by mission, pilot, and aircraft. Filter, export, and retrieve records quickly when preparing for audits, inspections, or internal reviews. The platform's structured archive ensures your safety and compliance data is always available, when and where you need it.

Supporting the Transition: Our Consultancy Services

Becoming a LUC operator isn't just paperwork. It's a shift in operational thinking, and it must be done right.

That's why our website offers end-to-end consultancy support, including:

• Gap assessments for LUC readiness
• Development and review of Operations Manuals, SOPs, and ERPs
• Implementation of a tailored Safety Management System
• Training frameworks and internal authorization programs
• Drafting or reviewing internal compliance checklists and change management procedures
• Guidance on communicating with NAAs and preparing for inspections

Our consultants are ready to help you move from an initial SORA application to a fully autonomous LUC framework.

Why LUC Operators Choose Our Website

With our combined consultancy experience and purpose-built software, our website offers LUC holders:

• A single platform for documentation, execution, and oversight
• A scalable solution for multi-team, multi-aircraft environments
• A digital backbone that enables strategic autonomy and operational maturity

Whether you are preparing your first LUC application or managing hundreds of missions a month, we can help you stay compliant, responsive, and ready to scale.

Want to Learn More?

Get in touch for a walkthrough of how the our website platform and our consultancy can help you achieve and sustain LUC-level operations; on your terms, with your team, in your airspace.

1. As drone operations grow in complexity and value, a flexible regulatory approach is crucial.
2. Introducing the Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC): a groundbreaking solution for professional drone organizations under EASA Regulation (EU) 2019/947.
3. The LUC isn't compulsory but an opportunity, signaling a mature approach to managing aviation risks.
4. LUC grants operational autonomy, enabling self-authorization of certain operations for reduced regulatory friction and faster deployment.
5. Key LUC privileges include approving SORA-based operations, self-declaring for Pre-Defined Risk Assessments, conducting cross-border operations, and less oversight from the authority.
6. LUC transforms the operational model from reactive to proactive, benefiting high-tempo organizations like infrastructure operators, security providers, and public safety agencies.
7. To qualify for a LUC, operators must demonstrate a robust Safety Management System (SMS), clear organizational structure, documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), a comprehensive Operations Manual, training and competence management systems, maintenance procedures, and technical oversight.
8. It's not only about flying safely but consistently managing and documenting safety.
9. LUC holders must conduct regular internal audits, maintain up-to-date documentation and training records, investigate incidents, update authorities with significant changes, and ensure operations adhere to approved privileges.
10. At our website, we built a Drone Operations Platform supporting LUC-certified organizations, ensuring compliance by design.
11. The platform offers features like Operations Manual, SOPs, and checklists, Safety Management System, crew competence and training management, fleet and equipment oversight, flight planning, operational control, data retention, and audit readiness.
12. Becoming a LUC operator isn't just paperwork – it requires a shift in operational thinking, which our consultancy service addresses.
13. Our consultancy includes gap assessments, Operations Manual, SOPs, and ERPs development and review, Safety Management System implementation, training frameworks, internal authorization programs, internal compliance checklists, and guidance on communicating with NAAs and preparing for inspections.
14. Leveraging combined consultancy experience and purpose-built software, we offer LUC holders a single platform for documentation, execution, and oversight, a scalable solution for multi-team, multi-aircraft environments, and a digital backbone for strategic autonomy and operational maturity.
15. Whether applying for the first LUC or managing hundreds of missions a month, our platform can help you stay compliant, responsive, and ready to scale.
16. The financial benefits of LUC extend to personal-finance, wealth-management, business, and investing, enabling lifestyle improvements and long-term wealth creation.
17. The educational benefits of LUC involve home-and-garden improvements and personal-growth, such as new skills and career-development opportunities through job-search, learning, skills-training, and researching topics like shopping, sports, and education-and-self-development.
18. In the sports industry, LUC-certified operators can contribute to the football, soccer, European leagues, American football, and NFL game experiences, offering enhanced views of champions-league matches, Laliga games, and NCAA-football competitions.
19. Lastly, the travel and car industries can benefit from LUC by providing unique perspectives on popular destinations and transportation methods, revolutionizing the way we explore and navigate the world.

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