Building Better UAS SOPs: A Mixed-Method,Case-Informed Analysis of Public-Sector Practices

Abstract

As Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) become increasingly integrated into public-sector operations, there is a growing need for standardized procedures that ensure safety, compliance, and operational effectiveness. This study investigates the essential components of UAS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from the perspective of public agency practitioners in South Carolina. Employing a two-phase sequential mixed-methods design, the research first surveyed 38 agency representatives using a 48-item instrument derived from the AUVSI Organization Implementation Guide (OIG) and supplemented with commonly observed SOP elements. The instrument demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.975). Quantitative responses were analyzed using a multidimensional consensus framework combining parametric analysis (mean and standard deviation) and non-parametric (interquartile range and median) to identify high- and moderate-consensus SOP components. Findings revealed strong convergence on 31 components characterized by high agreement and low variability. A subsequent qualitative analysis of SOPs, coded with high intercoder reliability (Krippendorff’s c-Alpha = 0.93; cUα = 0.94), explored how these components were operationalized in practice. The results support a tiered SOP framework: foundational components with widespread consensus and supplemental components adapted to specific operational contexts. This practitioner-informed study contributes to UAS policy development by offering actionable guidance for agencies seeking to design or refine SOPs that reflect both regulatory benchmarks and field-tested realities. This tiered framework offers public agencies a practical roadmap for developing or revising UAS SOPs by distinguishing core components that should be broadly adopted from supplemental elements that can be tailored to specific missions, risks, and organizational contexts.