The AviAssist Foundation has launched a unique risk assessment course for the drone industry. The course was developed at the request of one of Africa’s biggest drone operators.
The course is designed to equip professionals with the expertise to navigate the complexities of drone operations in Africa and beyond. The course teaches the globally recognised SORA 2.5 framework, developed by the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS). This course addresses the critical need for standardised risk assessment in high-stakes drone operations, such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and inspections of critical infrastructure.
Africa’s drone industry is expanding rapidly, with regulatory bodies in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa adopting SORA as the gold standard for ensuring safety and compliance. However, the continent needs more professionals skilled in conducting thorough risk assessments for complex drone operations.
Tom Rehwinkel, lead instructor and expert in drone safety assessments, said, “This four-day training provides a hands-on, practical approach to mastering the SORA framework. Participants will not only learn to identify risks but also develop mitigation strategies and apply the SORA methodology with confidence. We will empower professionals to obtain the necessary authorisations for advanced drone operations while maintaining the highest safety standards.”
The course is tailored for Civil Aviation Authority personnel, drone training managers, operations managers, compliance managers, and safety managers. Through group assignments, case studies, and a written exam, attendees will gain the skills to evaluate ConOps, assess ground and air risks, and assist in writing a Specific Operations Risk Assessment.
AviAssist director Tom Kok explains, “The SORA course builds on AviAssist’s legacy of tailoring international best practices to the unique needs of African stakeholders. With instructors like Tom Rehwinkel and Simon Prent, who bring extensive experience in drone operations and risk assessments and informed by one of Africa’s leading drone operators, participants will benefit from insights rooted in both global standards and local contexts. Aviation Africa taking place here today is all about nurturing Africa's aviation future and with the African Drone Forum integrated here, launching this initiative here is only natural.”
Organisations and professionals seeking to elevate their drone operations can register for this course. The first edition is scheduled to take place in Rwanda from 26-29 November, with a special Aviation Africa discount reducing the registration fee to US$ 250. Register and take the first step towards mastering drone risk assessment with AviAssist: www.aviassist.org/sora-training
