If you’re a recreational drone user in the United States, there’s cause to celebrate. Yesterday, the FAA announced that they have expanded their LAANC system to include recreational drone pilots, allowing users to get “near-real time” approval to fly in controlled airspace, as long as you stay below 400ft.
The LAANC system (which is short for Low Altitude Authorization and Capability) is a collaboration between the FAA and FAA-Approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS) that “automates the application and approval process for airspace authorizations.” Registered drone pilots who want to fly near any of the 600 airports that participate in the LAANC system can submit a request using an approved supplier such as Kittyhawk or Airmap.
If you want to fly above 400 feet, you can submit a “further coordination request” up to 90 days in advance and the supplier will coordinate that request manually with the FAA.
And a list of approved suppliers, with the checkmark indicating services that are available to the public:
Credits: petapixcel
