ISO 21384-3-2023 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 21384-3:2023 — Unmanned aircraft systems — Part 3: Operational procedures. This International Standard specifies requirements and recommended practices for the safe conduct of commercial unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations, including requirements addressing the safety‑critical external command-and-control (C2) link and interaction with external service providers.

Abstract

This document provides a framework of operational requirements for UAS operations scaled by operational risk. Topics include safety and security management, roles and responsibilities (operator, remote pilot‑in‑command, safety and security officers), C2 link performance and oversight of C2 communication service providers, operational planning and execution (VLOS, EVLOS, BVLOS, night, controlled airspace), maintenance and configuration management, conflict management and collision‑avoidance CONOPS, and data protection/privacy considerations.

General information

• Status: Published (current international standard; 2023 edition replacing the 2019 edition).
• Publication date: 2 October 2023 (edition 2 released in Oct 2023; some national publishers record availability dates in early October 2023).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) — published and made available through ISO and national standards bodies.
• ICS / categories: 49.020 (Aircraft and space vehicles — general).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (ISO 21384-3:2023).
• Number of pages: 48 pages (published text as sold by national bodies such as BSI / distributors commonly lists 48 pages).

Scope

Specifies requirements for safe commercial UAS operations and for the external safety‑critical services supporting operations (notably the command-and-control link). The scope covers organization and management of safe operations, personnel competence and responsibilities, operational planning and execution across different operation types (VLOS, EVLOS, BVLOS, operations in controlled airspace and low-level IFR-like operations), C2 performance and oversight, integration with UTM/ATC services where applicable, contingency and abnormal procedures, and privacy/data protection. It is intended for use where civil/commercial UAS are operated and where demonstrable, auditable operational controls are required.

Key topics and requirements

• Safety and security management: documented safety policy, defined roles and responsibilities (e.g., COMO, RPIC, safety officer), and SMS/SeMS‑like processes scaled to operation risk.
• Operational categories and requirements: guidance and differentiated requirements for VLOS, EVLOS and BVLOS operations (including Very Low Level operations and operations in controlled airspace).
• Command & control (C2) and external services: performance criteria for C2 links, oversight and supplier governance for C2 communication service providers (C2CSP), and requirements for interaction with UTM/traffic services.
• Operational planning and flight execution: pre‑flight planning, risk assessment, flight crew responsibilities, handover procedures, simultaneous/multiple UA operations, and contingency procedures (loss of C2, lost-link, recovery).
• Personnel, training and configuration management: competence and currency requirements for remote pilots and support staff, maintenance controls, software/firmware configuration and update controls.
• Conflict management and collision‑avoidance CONOPS: procedural CONOPS for detect‑and‑avoid, avoidance manoeuvres and verification/return‑to‑route steps integrated into operational procedures.
• Data protection, privacy and recordkeeping: operator responsibilities for personal data, retention of operational records (logs, telemetry) and privacy etiquette guidance.

Typical use and users

Primary users are commercial UAS operators, safety and compliance managers, remote pilots/remote pilot‑in‑command (RPIC), UAS manufacturers and integrators (for operational design considerations), C2 communication service providers, UTM/ANSP planners, regulators and certification bodies, and consulting/testing organisations performing operational approval and risk assessments. The standard is used to structure operational manuals, training syllabi, SOPs, and supplier oversight for C2 services.

Related standards

ISO 21384 is a multi‑part series. Related and referenced documents include: ISO 21384-1 (Part 1: general specification), ISO 21384-2 (Part 2: UAS components / technical requirements), ISO 21384-4 (Part 4: vocabulary/terms), and complementary technical reports such as ISO/TR 23267 on collision‑avoidance considerations that were developed to complement the 2023 revision. National adoptions and related regional standards (e.g., JARUS/ICAO guidance) are commonly cross‑referenced for operational approvals.

Keywords

UAS, unmanned aircraft systems, operational procedures, command and control (C2), C2CSP, BVLOS, VLOS, EVLOS, safety management, collision avoidance, detect‑and‑avoid, UTM, remote pilot, RPIC, operational risk, privacy, data protection.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21384-3:2023 is the International Standard that specifies operational procedures and requirements for safe commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations, including requirements for the external command‑and‑control link and oversight of related service providers.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers organizational safety and security management, role‑based responsibilities, planning and execution of flights across operation types (VLOS/EVLOS/BVLOS), C2 performance and supplier governance, maintenance/configuration controls, conflict management and collision‑avoidance CONOPS, plus data protection and recordkeeping requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Commercial UAS operators, RPICs and training organisations, safety and compliance managers, manufacturers and system integrators, C2 communication service providers, UTM/ANSP stakeholders, regulators and conformity assessment bodies. It is used for developing SOPs, operational manuals, training programmes and supplier oversight frameworks.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 21384-3:2023 is the current (2023) edition and replaces ISO 21384-3:2019. It remains the active international standard for operational procedures as of its October 2023 publication. Users should check for any subsequent amendments or DIS updates from ISO/TC20/SC16.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 21384 is a multipart series addressing UAS. Part 1 covers general specification, Part 2 addresses UAS components/technical aspects, Part 3 covers operational procedures (this document), and Part 4 covers vocabulary; other related ISO technical reports and national adoptions expand on collision avoidance, cybersecurity and component requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: UAS, operational procedures, C2/C2CSP, BVLOS, VLOS, EVLOS, safety management, RPIC, collision avoidance, UTM, privacy.