LAANC: How Drone Operators Get Airspace Authorization in Minutes

Before 2019, getting authorization to fly a drone in controlled airspace — near airports, in Class D airspace, or in other restricted areas — required submitting a waiver application to the FAA and waiting weeks for a response. For commercial operators with time-sensitive projects, this was a significant operational constraint.

LAANC changed everything. The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability provides near-real-time airspace authorization for drone operations in controlled airspace — in most cases, approval comes within seconds.

LAANC is an FAA system that provides automated airspace authorization for drone operations below 400 feet AGL in controlled airspace. It was developed in partnership with the FAA and several UAS service suppliers (USS) — companies that built the apps and platforms through which operators request authorization.

LAANC works by dividing controlled airspace around airports into a grid of cells, each with a maximum altitude at which drone operations are automatically approved. These altitude limits are based on the FAA's analysis of the airspace and are designed to keep drones safely separated from manned aircraft.

The FAA publishes a grid of altitude limits for each controlled airspace area. Near the center of an airport, the limit might be 0 feet (no drone operations without a waiver). Further from the airport, limits of 100, 200, or 400 feet are common.

These limits are published in the FAA's UAS Data Exchange and are available through LAANC-enabled apps.

To request LAANC authorization, a Part 107 certified pilot uses a LAANC-enabled app (AirMap, Kittyhawk, Aloft, DJI Fly, or others) to:

1. Define the planned flight area on a map
2. Specify the maximum altitude
3. Specify the planned flight time and duration
4. Submit the request

If the planned operation falls within the published altitude limits for that grid cell, authorization is typically granted automatically within seconds. The authorization is valid for the specified time window.

LAANC provides automatic authorization only up to the published altitude limits. For operations that exceed these limits — or in airspace where the limit is 0 feet — a manual FAA authorization (Part 107 waiver) is required.

Manual authorizations can take days to weeks and require a more detailed safety justification.

LAANC only authorizes operations up to the published altitude limits. For projects requiring higher altitudes in controlled airspace, a manual waiver is required.

LAANC does not override Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) — temporary airspace restrictions issued for events, emergencies, or VIP movements. Operators must check for active TFRs before every flight, even in areas where LAANC authorization has been obtained.

LAANC does not apply to Special Use Airspace (SUA) — military operating areas, restricted areas, and prohibited areas. Operations in or near SUA require coordination with the controlling authority.

LAANC is only available to Part 107 certified pilots. Recreational flyers have a separate authorization process through the FAA's recreational authorization system.

For commercial drone mapping projects, LAANC has dramatically simplified operations in controlled airspace. Projects near airports, in urban areas, or in other controlled airspace that previously required weeks of advance planning can now be authorized in minutes.

However, operators still need to:

• Check the LAANC altitude limits for the project area before planning the flight
• Verify that the planned flight altitude is within the authorized limit
• Check for active TFRs on the day of the flight
• Maintain the authorization record for compliance purposes

LAANC represents the first step toward a more automated, scalable airspace management system for drones. The FAA's broader UAS Traffic Management (UTM) initiative envisions a system where drones and manned aircraft share airspace safely through automated coordination — with LAANC as the foundation.

As drone operations become more complex — BVLOS flights, urban air mobility, drone delivery — the airspace authorization framework will continue to evolve.

LAANC has transformed commercial drone operations by making airspace authorization fast, predictable, and accessible. For any project in or near controlled airspace, LAANC is the standard tool for obtaining authorization — and understanding how it works is essential for any commercial drone operator.

Contact Blackridge Geospatial to discuss drone operations in your project area, including any airspace authorization requirements.