LAANC Authorization

Feature availability

What is LAANC authorization?

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is an FAA program that allows unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to access restricted airspace in a more automated manner.

Part 107-certified and Recreational (Sec. 44809) pilots can apply for access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet.

 Watch related AirTime session
 LAANC Authorizations with AirData  

AirData currently allows customers the ability to apply for LAANC approval through three methods:

1. The Mission Planning module. For instructions on how to apply for LAANC in Mission Planning, visit: Mission Planning module

2. The Standalone LAANC Approval module detailed in this article.

Starting a Standalone LAANC Request

There are two ways to begin a Standalone LAANC Request.

1a. Navigate to: PLAN -> LAANC. Then, select “+Request LAANC”.

1b. Navigate to: PLAN -> MAP. Then, select the location at which you would like to apply for LAANC and click "'Click here' to request LAANC" in the right hand toolbar.

2. You will see the LAANC planning page. Select the date, duration, and airspace of operation for which you wish to authorize LAANC.

• For Automatic Approval (AA), ensure that your maximum height of operation is at or below the prescribed ceiling of the selected restricted airspace.

• For flights requiring Further Coordination (FC), ensure your request is at least 72 hours before the start of operations.

• If any portion of the selected operations airspace is not LAANC-eligible, you will not be able to proceed to LAANC authorization.

• You can see whether or not your selected area is eligible for LAANC in the right hand toolbar. If your flight is ineligible for LAANC due to it exceeding the height ceiling, you can adjust the height using the "Max height" field in the top right.

Requesting Authorization

Automatic Authorization

If your flight is eligible for LAANC Automatic Approved Authorization, tap the "Submit to FAA" button to complete your LAANC request.

If approved, you will be taken to a summary of your LAANC approval with an Automatic Authorization code, an “Approved” status, and a “Cancel” button.

Further Coordination

If it is determined that your flight requires Further Coordination, you will be presented with a text box asking you to “Explain the extra precautions you will take to ensure safety”.

After filling this out, press the "Submit to FAA" button to complete your LAANC request.

You will be taken to a summary page for your LAANC request with a Further Coordination Authorization code, a “Pending” status, and a “Cancel” button.

If your FC request is approved, you will receive an approval email from [email protected] containing the approved request’s authorization code.

If your FC request is denied, you will receive a denial email from [email protected] containing the FAA’s reason for denial.

Viewing Past LAANC Requests

You can view upcoming and recently completed LAANC requests from the PLAN -> LAANC -> OVERVIEW page.

This page will show the Dates, Locations, and Statuses of upcoming and recently completed LAANC requests.