MmowW's Vice Director Pippo here. Controlled airspace surrounds every major airport in the United States, and under 14 CFR 107.41, Part 107 operators need FAA authorization before flying there. LAANC is the system that makes this possible in near real time. Before LAANC existed, getting airspace authorization took weeks or months of manual FAA review. Now, if your request fits within the UAS Facility Map grid ceiling, approval can arrive in seconds. Here is how the entire system works.

Quick Takeaways
  • LAANC stands for Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability.
  • It covers 726 airports and approximately 80% of controlled airspace in the National Airspace System at or below 400 feet AGL.
  • Part 107 operators need authorization under 14 CFR 107.41 to fly in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface area of Class E).
  • LAANC provides near-instant approval if your requested altitude is at or below the UAS Facility Map (UASFM) grid ceiling.
  • Requests above the grid ceiling require Further Coordination, which involves manual FAA review and takes days to weeks.

Table of Contents

  1. What Is LAANC
  2. Why You Need Airspace Authorization
  3. US Airspace Classes for Drone Operators
  4. UAS Facility Maps
  5. The LAANC Workflow
  6. Approved LAANC Applications
  7. Further Coordination: When LAANC Is Not Enough
  8. Recreational Flyer Authorization
  9. Frequently Asked Questions
  10. Summary

What Is LAANC

LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is an FAA system that automates the processing of airspace authorization requests for drone operations in controlled airspace. It is a collaboration between the FAA and private-sector application developers. The system launched in 2017 as a pilot program and has expanded to cover 726 airports across the United States. It handles approximately 80% of controlled airspace in the National Airspace System (NAS) at altitudes of 400 feet AGL and below. Before LAANC, a Part 107 operator who needed to fly near an airport had to submit a manual authorization request through the FAA DroneZone. Processing times ranged from weeks to months. LAANC replaced this bottleneck with automated approvals that can arrive in seconds, as long as the request falls within pre-approved altitude limits.

How fast is LAANC? For requests at or below the UAS Facility Map grid ceiling, approval typically arrives within seconds to a few minutes. The system checks your request against pre-approved altitude grids and, if it fits, issues authorization automatically. No human review required.

Why You Need Airspace Authorization

Under 14 CFR 107.41, no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace, or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC). This is not optional, and there is no self-authorization mechanism. Flying in controlled airspace without authorization is a federal violation that can result in:

  • Civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation.
  • Suspension or revocation of your Remote Pilot Certificate.
  • Potential criminal prosecution in cases involving interference with manned aircraft operations.

Common mistake: Assuming that if you stay below 400 feet AGL, you do not need authorization. The 400-foot altitude limit under Part 107 is a general operating rule. It does not exempt you from the requirement to obtain authorization in controlled airspace. Even at 50 feet AGL within Class D airspace, you need LAANC or other FAA authorization.

US Airspace Classes for Drone Operators

Understanding airspace classification is essential for determining whether you need LAANC authorization.

Airspace Class Altitude Authorization Required? LAANC Available?
Class G (Uncontrolled) Surface to various altitudes No authorization needed N/A
Class E (Surface) Surface to various altitudes around designated airports Yes Yes
Class D Surface to approximately 2,500 ft AGL around towered airports Yes Yes
Class C Surface to 4,000 ft AGL around medium airports Yes Yes
Class B Surface to 10,000 ft MSL around major airports Yes Yes
Class A 18,000 ft MSL to 60,000 ft MSL Prohibited for small drones N/A
Restricted / Prohibited Various Special coordination required No

Class G is your friend. In uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, which covers most rural and suburban areas, you do not need any airspace authorization to fly. You still must comply with all other Part 107 rules (altitude limits, VLOS, right of way), but no ATC clearance is needed.

Do I Need LAANC?
  1. Identify your flight location on a sectional chart or the B4UFLY app.
  2. Is the location in Class B, C, D, or surface Class E airspace?

  • No โ†’ You are in Class G. No authorization needed. Fly safely.
  • Yes โ†’ Continue to step 3.

  1. Is LAANC available at this airport?

  • Yes โ†’ Submit a LAANC request through an approved app.
  • No โ†’ Submit a manual authorization through FAA DroneZone.

  1. Is your requested altitude at or below the UASFM grid ceiling?

  • Yes โ†’ Expect near-instant automated approval.
  • No โ†’ Your request goes to Further Coordination (manual FAA review).

UAS Facility Maps

UAS Facility Maps (UASFM) are the backbone of the LAANC system. They divide the controlled airspace around each LAANC-participating airport into a grid, with each grid cell assigned a maximum altitude ceiling.

How UASFM grids work:
  • The airspace around an airport is divided into geographic grid cells.
  • Each cell has a pre-approved altitude ceiling (e.g., 0 ft, 100 ft, 200 ft, 300 ft, or 400 ft).
  • Cells closest to the runway typically have a 0 ft ceiling (no drone operations allowed).
  • Cells farther from the airport may allow operations up to 400 ft AGL.
  • The grid ceilings are determined by the FAA based on the airport's traffic patterns, approach/departure paths, and safety requirements.

When you submit a LAANC request, the system checks your proposed altitude against the UASFM grid ceiling for that cell. If your requested altitude is at or below the ceiling, the system approves automatically.

Where to find UASFM data:

Common mistake: Assuming UASFM grids are static. The FAA updates UASFM data periodically. Grid ceilings can change based on new procedures, construction, or airspace redesign. Always use the current UASFM data from an approved app when planning a flight, not an old screenshot or printed map.

The LAANC Workflow

Here is the complete step-by-step process for obtaining LAANC authorization.

LAANC Authorization Workflow
  1. Open an approved LAANC app (Aloft, AirMap, Kittyhawk, or another FAA-approved provider)
  2. Define your flight area on the map (point or polygon)
  3. Set your maximum altitude (AGL)
  4. Set your flight date and time window
  5. App checks UASFM grid ceiling for your area
  6. If altitude is at or below the ceiling:

  • Request is processed automatically
  • Authorization issued in seconds to minutes
  • Valid for the date and time window you specified

  1. If altitude is above the ceiling:

  • Request goes to Further Coordination
  • Manual FAA review required
  • Processing time: days to weeks

  1. Fly within the terms of your authorization

  • Do not exceed the approved altitude
  • Do not fly outside the approved area
  • Do not fly outside the approved time window

Authorization validity:
  • LAANC authorizations are valid for the specific date and time window you requested.
  • They are non-transferable to other operators or aircraft.
  • You must have your authorization accessible (digital or printed) during the flight.
  • If your operation extends beyond the approved time window, you must submit a new request.

Approved LAANC Applications

The FAA has approved several commercial applications as LAANC service suppliers. These apps connect directly to the FAA's systems to process authorization requests.

Major approved LAANC apps include:

App Website Notes
Aloft (formerly Kittyhawk) aloft.ai Also powers the B4UFLY app
AirMap airmap.com Widely used by commercial operators
DroneUp droneup.com Integrated mission planning
Skyward (Verizon) skyward.io Enterprise fleet management

Tip: The FAA also provides the B4UFLY app (b4ufly.aloft.ai) as a free airspace awareness tool. While B4UFLY shows airspace restrictions and UASFM data, check whether it supports full LAANC authorization submission or only informational display. Some versions require you to use a separate LAANC app for the actual authorization request.

All approved apps connect to the same FAA backend. The authorization you receive through any approved app carries the same legal weight. Choose the app that fits your workflow and budget.

Further Coordination: When LAANC Is Not Enough

Not all airspace authorization requests can be handled automatically. When your requested altitude exceeds the UASFM grid ceiling, or when the airspace requires special handling, your request enters Further Coordination.

What triggers Further Coordination:
  • Requested altitude is above the UASFM grid ceiling for your location.
  • The airspace has special restrictions not covered by standard UASFM grids.
  • Operations in Restricted or Prohibited airspace (always requires manual coordination).
  • Unusual operations that the automated system cannot evaluate (large-scale events, BVLOS, etc.).

Further Coordination process:
  1. Your LAANC app submits the request to the FAA.
  2. The request is routed to the appropriate FAA facility (approach control, tower, or ARTCC).
  3. An FAA specialist reviews the request against current traffic, procedures, and safety considerations.
  4. The FAA approves, modifies, or denies the request.
  5. Processing time ranges from days to weeks, depending on complexity and facility workload.

Plan ahead. If you know your operation requires altitudes above the UASFM grid ceiling, submit your Further Coordination request well in advance of your planned flight date. Last-minute requests above the grid ceiling are unlikely to be processed in time.

Alternative to Further Coordination:

If you hold a Part 107 waiver for specific operations, some airspace authorizations may be covered by the waiver terms. Review your waiver conditions carefully. Otherwise, the manual authorization process through the FAA DroneZone (faadronezone-access.faa.gov) remains available for situations where LAANC is not sufficient. For detailed guidance, see the FAA Part 107 airspace authorizations page at faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_airspace_authorizations.

Recreational Flyer Authorization

LAANC is not limited to Part 107 commercial operators. Recreational flyers under 49 U.S.C. 44809 also need authorization to fly in controlled airspace, and LAANC provides that pathway. The key differences for recreational users:

  • Recreational flyers submit a notification rather than an authorization request through LAANC. The FAA calls this the recreational flyer notification capability.
  • The altitude limits from UASFM grids still apply.
  • Recreational operators must follow all safety guidelines from their CBO (if flying under the recreational exception).
  • The B4UFLY app supports recreational notifications.

For more details, see the FAA recreational authorization page at faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/authorization.

Tip for recreational flyers: Even though the LAANC process is simpler for recreational operations, you must still complete the notification before you fly. Flying in controlled airspace without notification, even recreationally, is a violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance can I request LAANC authorization?

Most LAANC apps allow you to request authorization up to several days in advance. For automated approvals (at or below UASFM ceiling), you can request same-day. For Further Coordination, submit as early as possible, ideally 2-4 weeks before your planned flight.

Can I get LAANC authorization for night operations?

Yes. LAANC authorization covers the airspace, not the time of day. However, you must also comply with Part 107 night operation requirements (anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles, completed night operations training).

What if LAANC denies my request?

If the automated system cannot approve your request (altitude above grid ceiling), it routes to Further Coordination. If the FAA denies the request after manual review, you cannot fly at the requested altitude in that airspace. You may resubmit at a lower altitude that fits within the UASFM grid ceiling, or choose a different location.

Does LAANC authorization allow me to fly over people or moving vehicles?

No. LAANC only authorizes your operation in controlled airspace. All other Part 107 restrictions (operations over people, operations over moving vehicles, VLOS) remain in full effect. Airspace authorization does not waive any other operating rule.

Is LAANC available at every airport?

No. LAANC covers 726 airports as of 2026, which represents approximately 80% of controlled airspace at or below 400 feet. For airports not covered by LAANC, you must submit a manual authorization request through FAA DroneZone.

Can I fly in the UASFM 0 ft grid cells?

A 0 ft ceiling means no drone operations are authorized in that grid cell through LAANC. These cells are typically directly over runways and in the immediate approach/departure paths. To operate in a 0 ft cell, you would need to go through Further Coordination, and approval is rarely granted due to safety concerns.

Summary

LAANC is the FAA's automated system for granting drone airspace authorization in controlled airspace around 726 US airports. Under 14 CFR 107.41, Part 107 operators must have prior ATC authorization to fly in Class B, C, D, or surface Class E airspace. LAANC processes these requests in seconds when the proposed altitude falls within the UAS Facility Map grid ceiling. The workflow is straightforward: open an approved app, define your flight area, set your altitude and time window, and submit. If your request fits the UASFM grid, approval is near-instant. If it exceeds the grid ceiling, the request enters Further Coordination for manual FAA review, which takes days to weeks. Class G airspace requires no authorization. Class A airspace (above 18,000 ft MSL) is prohibited for small drones. Restricted and Prohibited areas require special coordination outside the LAANC system. Know your airspace before every flight. The B4UFLY app at b4ufly.aloft.ai and the UASFM data at udds-faa.opendata.arcgis.com are your primary planning tools.

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only by MmowW / Sawai Gyoseishoshi Office. It does not constitute legal advice. Drone regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the FAA at faa.gov/uas before operating. MmowW is not a certification body, auditor, or government authority. Loved for Safety.

References

  1. 14 CFR 107.41 โ€” Operation in Certain Airspace โ€” ecfr.gov
  2. FAA LAANC Overview โ€” faa.gov/uas/getting_started/laanc
  3. FAA Part 107 Airspace Authorizations โ€” faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_airspace_authorizations
  4. FAA Recreational Flyer Authorization โ€” faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/authorization
  5. FAA B4UFLY App โ€” b4ufly.aloft.ai
  6. UAS Facility Map Data โ€” udds-faa.opendata.arcgis.com
  7. 14 CFR Part 107 โ€” Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems โ€” ecfr.gov