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REGULATORY APPROVALS & AMENDMENTS

Every requirement.
Every submission.
Every follow-up.

Orion Aviation Consulting manages SACAA applications and amendments for UAS operators under Part 101 and aviation training organisations under Part 141.

We coordinate the regulatory pathway, documentation, submissions and follow-ups required to move the process forward with clarity.

DISCUSS YOUR APPROVAL
UAS Operator Certificate applications

Part 101

ATO approvals and amendments

Part 141

Registration, UAS Letters of Approval and Operations Specifications

Aircraft approvals

Scope, fleet, personnel and procedural amendments

Operational change

THE APPROVAL PATHWAY

A coordinated process, not a single application.

Achieving and maintaining regulatory approval requires more than completing application forms. It involves aligned documentation, organisational requirements, operational systems, qualified personnel and sustained engagement with the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
For UAS operators, operational certification and aircraft approvals run through separate SACAA processes. Orion manages these workstreams in parallel, tracks their dependencies and keeps every required submission and follow-up coordinated.
WHAT ORION MANAGES

Specialist support across the regulatory approval process.

01

UAS Operator Certificate Applications

Complete management of your Part 101 UASOC application, from the Letter of Intent through applications, supporting documentation, submissions and SACAA follow-ups.

02

Part 141 ATO Approval

Management of the SACAA approval process for aviation training organisations, including training standards, examiner qualifications, organisational requirements and supporting documentation.
03

Aircraft Certificate of Registration

SACAA registration support for unmanned aircraft that will form part of your approved operation.
04

UAS Letter of Approval

Preparation and coordination of aircraft approval submissions, including the supporting safety information required for the intended operation and alignment with the applicable Operations Specifications.
05

Operations Specification Amendments

Support for fleet, procedural and operational changes that require updates to your Operations Specifications.
06

UASOC and ATO Amendments

Management of amendments and variations when changing operational scope, adding aircraft, updating personnel, revising procedures or expanding training capabilities.
HOW WE WORK

Structured management from the first requirement onward.

01

Define the approval pathway

We identify the applicable approvals, required documentation, dependencies and parallel workstreams relevant to your operation.
02

Prepare the application

We develop and coordinate the applications, documentation and supporting evidence required for submission.
03

Manage SACAA engagement

We coordinate submissions, responses, follow-ups and outstanding requirements as each workstream progresses.
04

Support implementation

We help your team integrate approved changes, understand ongoing responsibilities and maintain compliance as the operation evolves.
BUILT AROUND WHERE YOU ARE

Support for new approvals and changing operations.

NEW APPLICANTS

A clear route into the approval process.

For organisations establishing a UAS operation under Part 101 or seeking approval as an aviation training organisation under Part 141. Orion helps define the pathway, coordinate the required work and prepare the operation for regulatory engagement.

EXISTING CERTIFICATE HOLDERS

Controlled change without losing sight of compliance.

For approved operators and training organisations adding aircraft, changing scope, updating personnel, introducing new procedures or expanding training capabilities. Orion manages the required applications and amendments while helping protect the integrity of the existing approval.
WHY COORDINATION MATTERS

Every approval must support the operation behind it.

Regulatory clarity

Requirements, responsibilities, dependencies and next steps clearly defined.

Coordinated workstreams

Operational, organisational and aircraft approval processes managed as part of one structured pathway.

Operational readiness

Documentation, people, systems and procedures aligned for implementation and regulatory review.

Continuity after approval

Support that can continue through amendments, renewals, audits and ongoing compliance requirements.
A SEPARATE LICENSING PATHWAY

Air Service Licence applications and amendments.

Air Service Licence applications are processed through a separate licensing framework involving the Department of Transport and the Air Service Licensing Council.
Orion provides full project management for new Air Service Licence applications and amendments, coordinating this process with the broader certification requirements of your operation where applicable.
EXPLORE AIR SERVICE LICENCE SUPPORT
BEYOND CERTIFICATION

Approval is the beginning of ongoing responsibility.

Certification introduces continuing responsibilities across compliance monitoring, safety management, operational oversight, audits, renewals and governance.
Orion can remain alongside your team after approval, supporting amendments, operational reviews and the systems required to maintain compliance with greater confidence and control.
EXPLORE ONGOING COMPLIANCE SUPPORT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Clear answers before the process begins.

What is a UASOC under Part 101?

A UAS Operator Certificate is issued by SACAA through the Part 101 certification process. The application requires operational, organisational and supporting compliance documentation relevant to the intended UAS operation.

Aircraft and operational approvals are related but follow separate SACAA processes. Aircraft registration, the UAS Letter of Approval and applicable Operations Specifications must be coordinated with the UASOC application.

Yes. Orion supports aviation training organisations through the Part 141 approval process, including the organisational, training, personnel and documentation requirements relevant to SACAA accreditation.

Yes. Orion assists with amendments involving aircraft, operational scope, personnel, procedures and training capabilities across existing UASOC and ATO approvals.

No. A UASOC is part of the SACAA Part 101 certification process. An Air Service Licence follows a separate licensing framework. Orion manages both processes through their respective service pathways.

Yes. Orion’s support can continue through renewals, audits, amendments, compliance monitoring, safety management and ongoing governance.

START THE CONVERSATION

Know what needs to happen next.

Tell us about your intended operation, current certificate or planned amendment. Orion will help identify the applicable approvals, parallel workstreams and most practical route forward.
DISCUSS YOUR APPROVAL