LBA introduces simplified ‘FastFlight’ authorisation procedure for UAS operators

With ‘FastFlight’, the LBA aims to simplify the granting of operational authorisations under Article 12 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and significantly shorten administrative processing times. The procedure is the result of proactive coordination by Division B 5 ‘Unmanned Aircraft Systems’, Section B 53, with European member states and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and represents a first step towards reducing bureaucracy in the application process.

Within the framework of this cooperation, a new AMC 1 to Article 12 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 was developed under the technical leadership of the LBA and recently published together with the update of the SORA 2.5 risk analysis. This new AMC makes it possible to authorise certain VLOS UAS operations up to SAIL II without the operations manual having to be submitted to and reviewed by the authority during the authorisation process.

Responsibility for creating, maintaining, and updating the operations manual remains entirely with the operator. However, it must be possible to present the operations manual to the competent authority at any time – for example, as part of oversight or monitoring measures.

The operational authorisation granted under ‘FastFlight’ is a regular authorisation according to Article 12 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. It does not differ from other operational authorisations in its legal validity and recognition at home and abroad and is generally granted generically, i.e. location-independently.

Not all applicants can benefit from the simplified procedure, as its application is linked to certain requirements, in particular a low operational risk. However, a significant reduction in processing time is expected for a large proportion of applicants, so that UAS operations can be commenced more quickly in future.

The LBA expressly recommends the ‘FastFlight’ procedure to new applicants as well, in order to be able to grant authorisations more efficiently overall.

Important note for ongoing applications

Operators who assume that their operation falls into the ‘FastFlight’ category and have already submitted an application should contact the Federal Aviation Office immediately to have it checked whether the existing application should be withdrawn and a new application submitted under the simplified procedure.

Contact: uas-specific@lba.de

Application form

The current application form is available here.

Further information can be found on the pages of Division B 5 of the Federal Aviation Office.

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