What is SARP (Standards and Recommended Practices)?

Definition

Standards and Recommended Practices (SARP) are guidelines developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure uniformity and safety in global aviation. These standards apply to everything from air traffic control and aircraft certification to drone operations and airspace integration. SARPs serve as the foundational framework that member states reference when drafting or updating their national aviation regulations.

Usage

In the context of drones, SARPs provide ICAO’s global guidance on how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) should be integrated into controlled and uncontrolled airspace. They cover topics such as communication protocols, UAS traffic management (UTM), detect-and-avoid technologies, Remote ID, and safety oversight. Civil aviation authorities use these practices to develop national drone regulations that align with international norms.

Relevance to the Industry

As drone technology becomes more advanced and operations like BVLOS and UAM expand, aligning with SARPs ensures safe, consistent drone integration worldwide. Manufacturers, regulators, and drone operators benefit from harmonized procedures, which reduce conflicts across borders and accelerate regulatory approvals. For global drone service providers, compliance with SARP-aligned frameworks can be essential for legal operations in multiple countries.

How Does SARP (Standards and Recommended Practices) Work?

Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) function as ICAO’s mechanism for harmonizing aviation rules and technologies across the globe. Although SARPs are not laws themselves, they serve as the reference model for countries when developing or updating their own aviation regulations. In the drone industry, SARPs support consistent and safe UAS operations by guiding how drones should be certified, tracked, and integrated into shared airspace. Here’s how SARPs are developed and applied:

Development Through ICAO Panels

ICAO assembles expert working groups and panels—such as the UAS Advisory Group or the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Panel—to draft SARPs. These groups include stakeholders from civil aviation authorities, drone manufacturers, research institutions, and international airspace regulators. The goal is to reach a global consensus on best practices and minimum operational requirements.

Review, Balloting, and Adoption

Once drafted, SARPs undergo a review and approval process involving ICAO’s 193 member states. States vote on the recommendations, and after approval, the finalized SARPs are published in ICAO Annexes (e.g., Annex 6 for aircraft operations, Annex 11 for air traffic services, and Annex 19 for safety management). For UAS integration, ICAO often issues guidance in the form of SARPs supplements or updates.

Incorporation by National Authorities

Each member state determines how it will incorporate SARPs into its own regulatory framework. While not legally bound, most states adopt SARPs either fully or in a modified form to align with international standards. For example, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) uses SARP-based guidance in its drone regulatory framework, and so does Transport Canada and the FAA for certain BVLOS and Remote ID initiatives.

Practical Application in Drone Operations

Drone operators, UTM developers, and aircraft manufacturers consult SARPs to ensure their systems and operations meet internationally recognized safety and performance expectations. This is especially important for:

• Cross-border drone flights
• Global drone delivery services
• Multinational UAM or BVLOS projects
• Participation in ICAO-recognized drone corridors

Periodic Updates and Global Alignment

ICAO continuously reviews and updates SARPs in response to technological advances and regulatory gaps. Member states can submit proposals to modify existing standards or create new ones. Over time, this ensures SARPs remain relevant as UAS and air mobility technologies evolve.

By following SARPs, drone industry stakeholders gain access to international markets, reduce regulatory friction, and help create a globally interoperable airspace system.

Example in Use

“To support international drone corridor operations, the aviation authority adopted ICAO’s SARPs to align their UTM protocols with global airspace integration models.”

Frequently Asked Questions about SARP (Standards and Recommended Practices)

Are SARPs legally binding?
No. ICAO SARPs are not laws, but member states typically incorporate them into their national aviation regulations. While adoption is voluntary, SARPs often influence binding regulations at the national or regional level.

What do SARPs cover in drone operations?
They include:

• Remote pilot licensing and operator registration

• Communication and surveillance requirements

• Airspace access, separation standards, and UTM integration

• Safety management systems for drone operations

Why should drone operators care about SARPs?
Operators that intend to fly internationally—or in countries with ICAO-aligned rules—must often comply with standards derived from SARPs. This ensures their operations meet globally recognized safety and interoperability expectations.