The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system has proven to be a very useful tool for drone pilots, both professional and recreational. However, it’s still not perfect. As of June 2021, only 732 airports allow drone flight through LAANC. If the airport near you is not on this list, you will have to resort to more old-fashioned methods.
How feasible is it to fly a drone in an airport that is not covered by LAANC? How much of a lead time should you expect? Would it be possible to secure airport authorization on short notice without having to use LAANC?
The benefits and limitations of LAANC
The biggest selling point of LAANC is that it’s a system that is accessible through standard mobile apps. Airspace authorization requests submitted through LAANC are received by a centralized system and processed automatically. This makes it possible to receive a response to your request in just a few seconds.
The drawback is that not all airports in the US allow for airspace authorization through LAANC. In some cases, certain grid sectors in the UAS Facility Map can also have very strict altitude limitations. If you need to fly beyond the altitude limit as prescribed in the UAS Facility Map, you may have to file a request outside of LAANC.
Requesting airspace authorization through FAA Drone Zone
The official way to file an airspace authorization request outside of LAANC is via the FAA Drone Zone website. Take note that airspace authorization is only granted to Part 107-licensed drone pilots. If you’re flying recreationally, we recommend avoiding areas that are not covered by LAANC.
Requesting airspace authorization will involve filling out a form to provide details about your proposed operations. This includes indicating the location of your operation (with detailed coordinates and boundaries) when you are planning to fly, and the maximum altitude you wish to fly on.
There’s a reason why this method may not be ideal for professional drone pilots. A request made through the FAA Drone Zone website can take a few weeks to be processed. The FAA plays it safe by prescribing a lead time of up to 90 days, although it rarely takes that long. However, having to wait one or two weeks may not even be an option if there’s a job you need to do soon.
Final thoughts
The LAANC system has provided great convenience for drone pilots, but it can still prove insufficient every now and then. If you’re unlucky enough to be flying near an airport not supported by LAANC, you have two options – apply for airspace authorization thru the FAA Drone Zone website or go directly to the air traffic controller.
Either alternative is less than ideal. On one hand, you may have to wait a few weeks for approval. On the other, the air traffic controller might not even give you the time of day. We are optimistic that the LAANC system will eventually expand to a point where this will no longer be a problem.
