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LAANC FAQ


These are some of the most frequent questions we get regarding LAANC.
For step-by-step instructions on applying for LAANC in AirData, please see our help article:

Applying for LAANC in Mission Planning

Standalone LAANC Approval module

LAANC Requests on Mobile


 Watch related AirTime session
 LAANC Authorizations with AirData  


What is LAANC authorization?

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

AirData’s LAANC authorization module is integrated with CAL Analytics, an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier (USS) for LAANC.

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


Who are CAL Analytics and what is an FAA USS?

CAL Analytics is a business focusing on the development of aviation and autonomous systems.  Their expertise is in navigation systems, remote sensing, signal analysis, and information fusion.

The FAA website on what makes a company a USS:
"The LAANC capability offers industry the opportunity to work with the agency as we develop a UAS Traffic Management System (UTM). Companies approved to provide LAANC Services are known as FAA Approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS)."

Who can access LAANC in AirData?

LAANC access in AirData is available to all users of AirData UAV. LAANC requests can be made on both app.airdata.com and in the AirData UAV mobile app.


Do I need to apply for LAANC using my commercial pilot (Part 107) license?

Any pilots flying for commercial reasons should apply for LAANC approval using their Part 107 license information. To add Part 107 registration to your pilot account, visit your “Personal Info” settings under “My Account”.

When should I apply for LAANC authorization?

Make sure that your flight is no more than 90 days out from the day of the request.
If your flight is eligible for Automatic Approved Authorization, you can apply for LAANC approval up to the start time of the operation.
If your flight requires Further Coordination, make sure that your operations date is 72 hours or more away from the date of application.


What is the difference between Further Coordination (FC) and Automatic Approved (AA) LAANC approvals?

Automatic Approval (AA)  is what is referred to as “near-real-time” approval by the FAA. Flights meeting certain parameters are eligible for automated digital approval up to the start time of the operation. Typically, flights that have an operational height that does not exceed the prescribed height in the requested airspace will qualify for AA approval.


Further Coordination (FC)  is required for certain types of missions and will require further approval by the by the air traffic manager (ATM). The factors that trigger Further Coordination requirements are discussed below. Flights exceeding the prescribed height in a region, but not exceeding 400 ft will be considered for Further Coordination approval.


Notes from the FAA LAANC Rulebook: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/laanc_for_industry/LAANC_USS_Performance_Rules.pdf

“Further Coordination requests must be submitted no later than 72 hours prior to the start time of the requested authorization. [3.4.2c] Furthermore, the USS must automatically cancel any pending requests for Further Coordination 24 hours before the proposed start time if the FAA has not approved or denied the request. Cancellation must be indicated by the corresponding message to the FAA.”

"Further coordination means that the request must be reviewed by an Air Traffic Manager (ATM) who manages the airspace where you wish to fly."

“The FAA’s goal is to respond to Further Coordination requests in less than 30 days, but it may take up to 90 days to either approve or deny and, in some cases, requests may expire without resolution.”

“[3.4.2d] The USS must not make submissions more than 90 days in advance. Note that the FAA prefers that submissions be made with as much lead time as practical.”

“[3.4.2g] If a Further Coordination request is denied, the USS must advise the operator not to submit an operation with the same input parameters as the one that was denied. The USS may suggest that the operator submit the operation to FAADroneZone in an effort to create an operation that can be approved."


What do the colors and figures on the mission planning map mean?

The numbers in the highlighted regions indicate the prescribed LAANC height ceiling for that airspace.

The maximum height for LAANC approval with a Part 107 license is 400 feet in any area. Max height will also change for a given area depending on whether you are applying under recreational or commercial licenses.


Once you highlight an area, the AirData mission planning map may show three colors representing different available levels of LAANC.

If the highlighted area is GREEN, that indicates that your flight is eligible for Automatic Approved Authorization in that airspace.

If the highlighted area is PURPLE, that indicates that your flight requires Further Coordination Authorization in that airspace.


If the highlighted area is RED, that indicates that your flight is ineligible for LAANC authorization in that airspace.

I’m not seeing the option to “Finish and proceed to LAANC”. What does this mean?

There are a couple of common reasons this may happen:

1. The region you have selected does not require you to apply for LAANC.

2. The region you have selected is not eligible for LAANC approval.

How do I cancel LAANC approval?

LAANC authorization can be canceled up to the designated start time of the flight operation.

To cancel LAANC authorization in AirData, navigate to:
PLAN -> MISSIONS, then select the mission you wish to cancel LAANC authorization for.
From there, click: "LAANC" -> "Cancel".

Pilots should cancel if at all possible before the start of the operation. Authorizations that have already entered the time of operation can be marked as completed and then closed.

Notes from the FAA LAANC Rulebook: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/laanc_for_industry/LAANC_USS_Performance_Rules.pdf (Page 19)

“3.4.8 Operator Cancelled or Closed Authorizations [3.4.8a]
Since cancellation indicates that an operation will not be flown (in the future), it can occur only prior to the operation start time. The USS may offer the capability for the operator to close an operation indicating the operation is complete prior to the submitted end time of the authorization.”

Does LAANC approval automatically get correlated to the appropriate flight after mission creation?

Currently, LAANC approval is associated with a mission, rather than to a flight log. A flight log would then be associated with a LAANC-approved mission. This can be done automatically, or manually.

Flight logs can be automatically associated with missions. This is a setting that can be toggled during mission creation.


Flights can also be manually attached to a mission with LAANC approval using the "Action" button.


Please note: The standalone LAANC approval module allows LAANC approval to be associated to individual flights without the need for a mission to be created.

How do I add Part 107 registration for myself or my pilots?

In order to add a Pilot’s Part 107 registration to their account, head to our Users/Pilots settings page.

You can navigate there by clicking: “My Account” -> “Users/Pilots” -> “Edit”. You will need to provide a registration number, date of issuance, and date of expiration for the certification.

FAA Resources for LAANC




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