What is LAANC?
LAANC stands for Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. It is part of the FAA UAS Data Exchange, a system that connects drone pilots with the FAA's airspace data. Instead of waiting for a manual review, pilots can receive airspace authorizations in near real time for many common flights near airports.
The reason LAANC exists is simple. Pilots planning to fly under 400 feet in controlled airspace around airports must receive an airspace authorization from the FAA before they fly. For Part 107 pilots this requirement comes from 14 CFR 107.41. LAANC is the fastest way to get that authorization where it is available.
Controlled airspace on a sectional chart includes Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E surface areas. If you want to recognize those boundaries on a chart, our sectional chart practice walks through the chart legend with real FAA figures.
Who can use LAANC?
LAANC is available to Part 107 pilots and to recreational flyers. Both groups submit requests through FAA-approved LAANC UAS Service Suppliers, which offer desktop and mobile apps. The FAA publishes the list of approved suppliers, so use that list to pick one rather than relying on search results.
There is one important difference between the two groups. Part 107 pilots can ask for further coordination when they need to fly higher than the facility map allows. Recreational flyers cannot request further coordination; they are limited to the altitudes on the UAS Facility Maps.
How do you get LAANC approval?
The process is the same in every approved app, even though the screens differ. A typical request looks like this:
- Plan the flight area and check whether it lies in controlled airspace around an airport.
- Open an app from an FAA-approved LAANC UAS Service Supplier and enter your location, altitude and time.
- Keep the requested altitude at or below the UAS Facility Map value for that grid.
- Submit the request. Requests may be submitted up to 90 days in advance.
- Read the authorization carefully, including any condition such as a request to notify the tower.
- Before flying, check NOTAMs and weather and follow all airspace restrictions, including TFRs.
What are UAS Facility Maps?
UAS Facility Maps divide the controlled airspace around an airport into grids. Each grid shows the maximum altitude the FAA can approve automatically through LAANC. The grid values are 0, 100, 200, 300 or 400 feet. A value of 0 means that automatic approval is not available in that grid.
When your requested altitude is at or below the grid value, LAANC can approve the request in near real time. This is why checking the map before you plan a mission saves time: it tells you right away whether a quick approval is possible.
| Request type | Who can use it | Altitude | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near real-time LAANC authorization | Part 107 pilots and recreational flyers | At or below the UAS Facility Map value | Up to 90 days in advance |
| Further coordination | Part 107 pilots only | Above the facility map value, up to 400 feet | Up to 90 days in advance, at least 72 hours before the start time |
What is LAANC further coordination?
Further coordination is a request to fly above the UAS Facility Map altitude, up to 400 feet. It is available to Part 107 pilots only. Instead of an automatic answer, the request is reviewed manually by the Air Traffic Manager responsible for that airspace.
Because a person reviews it, timing matters. A further coordination request can be submitted up to 90 days in advance and must be submitted at least 72 hours before the requested start time. Plan these flights early rather than counting on a same-day answer.
Do you need to call the tower with a LAANC authorization?
No, not by default. Pilots do not need to notify the tower before flying unless the authorization specifically requests it. Read each authorization, because the conditions are part of the approval.
Keep in mind what LAANC does not do. It provides airspace authorizations only. You still need to check NOTAMs and weather, and you must follow all airspace restrictions, including temporary flight restrictions (TFRs).
What if an airport has no LAANC?
The FAA states that LAANC is available at more than 700 airports. At airports without LAANC, you apply for airspace authorization in FAADroneZone instead. If an operation needs both a waiver and an airspace authorization, apply for both through FAADroneZone.
Not every airport sits in controlled airspace. If an airport is not within controlled airspace, no FAA airspace authorization is needed to fly near it, although all other rules still apply. Reading the sectional chart correctly is how you tell the difference, which is also why airspace questions matter on the Part 107 test.
Remote ID is a separate requirement from airspace authorization. See our Remote ID guide to check how it applies to your drone.