What is LAANC and who can use it?

LAANC stands for Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. It is the FAA's automated system for granting airspace authorizations to drone pilots flying in controlled airspace around airports. LAANC is available to both Part 107 commercial pilots and recreational flyers operating under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.

How fast is LAANC authorization?

LAANC typically provides near real-time approvals. Most authorization requests submitted through a LAANC-enabled app are processed within a few minutes, as long as the requested flight parameters fall within the altitude limits set by the local UAS Facility Map.

How many airports support LAANC?

LAANC is available at roughly 726 air traffic facilities covering over 700 airports across the United States. The system covers Class B, Class C, Class D, and designated Class E surface area airspace. Coverage can expand as the FAA adds new facilities to the system.

Do I need LAANC for a sub-250g recreational drone?

Yes, if you are flying in controlled airspace. The sub-250g weight exemption applies to FAA registration requirements, not to airspace authorization. Any drone flying in Class B, C, D, or surface Class E airspace requires prior authorization, which LAANC provides for free through approved apps.

What happens if my LAANC request is denied or delayed?

If the requested altitude exceeds the UAS Facility Map limit for your location, LAANC will offer Further Coordination, which sends the request to the air traffic facility for manual review. This process can take up to 90 days and is not appropriate for time-sensitive flights. For spontaneous flights, stay within the altitude limits shown in the UAS Facility Map to receive instant approval.

Regulations

LAANC Drone Airspace Authorization

By Best Drone Reviews Team · April 11, 2026 · Updated April 11, 2026

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LAANC, the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, is the FAA system that lets drone pilots request and receive airspace authorization in controlled airspace around airports. Before LAANC, pilots had to submit paper requests through the FAA's online portal and wait weeks or months for a response. LAANC compressed that process to near real-time approvals for flights that fall within predefined altitude limits. This guide explains how LAANC works, which airspace it covers, the approved providers that offer LAANC services, and the step-by-step process for submitting an authorization request.

LAANC is available to both Part 107 commercial pilots and recreational flyers operating under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations. The service is free. All that is required is a LAANC-enabled app from one of the FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS) and a valid FAA drone registration.

What LAANC Actually Does

LAANC operates through the UAS Data Exchange, a FAA-managed system that shares airspace data with approved third-party companies known as UAS Service Suppliers. When a drone pilot submits an authorization request through a LAANC-enabled app, the request is automatically checked against several data sources:

UAS Facility Maps. These maps show the maximum altitude the FAA will pre-approve for drone operations at each location, divided into grid squares.
Airspace class boundaries. The system checks which class of controlled airspace the requested location falls within.
Special Use Airspace. Military operations areas, restricted airspace, and prohibited areas that require separate coordination.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). Short-term airspace closures due to events, VIP movements, wildfires, or other conditions.
Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). Advisories about temporary airspace conditions relevant to aviation.

If the requested flight parameters pass all of these checks, LAANC returns an automated approval within a minute or two. The authorization includes a digital record that the pilot can show to law enforcement or other officials if questioned about the flight.

What Airspace LAANC Covers

LAANC is available at roughly 726 air traffic facilities covering over 700 airports across the United States. The service covers the airspace classes where drone operations require prior authorization:

Class B: The airspace around the busiest commercial airports in the United States. Class B typically extends from the surface up to 10,000 feet MSL in layered rings around the airport.
Class C: Airspace around mid-size airports with operational control towers and radar. Class C typically extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet AGL.
Class D: Airspace around smaller airports with operational control towers. Class D typically extends from the surface to 2,500 feet AGL.
Class E (surface area): Controlled airspace extending from the surface at specific airports that do not have towers but are designated as surface Class E.

Class G airspace (uncontrolled airspace) does not require authorization for drone operations. Class A airspace begins at 18,000 feet MSL and is far above the 400-foot altitude limit for small drones.

Pilots who need to know what airspace class applies to a specific location can check the B4UFLY app (published by the FAA) or any LAANC-enabled app that displays airspace boundaries.

Understanding UAS Facility Maps

The UAS Facility Map is the key data source that determines whether a LAANC request gets instant approval. Each controlled airport has a Facility Map divided into grid squares, typically one nautical mile on each side. Every grid square has a pre-approved altitude ceiling, which is the maximum altitude the FAA has determined is safe for drone operations at that location without additional coordination.

Facility Map altitude ceilings vary based on proximity to runways, approach and departure paths, and local terrain. A grid square directly on top of a runway approach end will have a ceiling of zero (no drone operations allowed without further coordination). A grid square a few miles from the airport might have a ceiling of 400 feet (the standard Part 107 maximum) or higher.

When a pilot submits a LAANC request, the system checks whether the requested altitude falls at or below the Facility Map ceiling for that grid square. If yes, approval is automatic. If no, the request is either denied or routed to Further Coordination.

Further Coordination

When a requested altitude exceeds the Facility Map ceiling, most LAANC apps offer Further Coordination as an option. Further Coordination sends the request to the local air traffic control facility for manual review by a human controller. The controller evaluates the request against operational conditions and may approve or deny it.

Further Coordination requests can take up to 90 days to process and are not appropriate for flights that need to happen soon. For spontaneous operations, pilots are better served by either staying within the Facility Map ceiling or choosing a different flight location outside controlled airspace.

FAA-Approved UAS Service Suppliers

LAANC is not a standalone FAA app. Instead, the FAA approves third-party companies to build LAANC-enabled apps and connects them to the UAS Data Exchange. These approved companies are called UAS Service Suppliers (USS). Each USS builds a desktop or mobile app that pilots use to submit authorization requests.

The list of approved LAANC providers changes over time as new companies get approved. Pilots can check the FAA's current list on the FAA LAANC page. Pilots can use any approved provider, and there is no penalty for switching between providers.

Submitting a LAANC Request: Step by Step

The exact screens vary by app, but the general workflow is consistent across LAANC providers:

Create an account with a LAANC provider. Sign up with any approved USS. Most require your name, email, and FAA registration number.
Select the flight location. Enter an address or tap the map to place the flight location. The app should show the airspace class and Facility Map ceiling for that grid square.
Set the flight time and duration. LAANC requires start and end times. Recreational flyers are typically limited to flights starting within the next 48 hours. Part 107 pilots have a 90-day maximum window.
Set the flight altitude. Enter the maximum altitude above ground level. If the altitude is at or below the Facility Map ceiling, approval is typically automatic.
Confirm pilot information. Verify that your FAA registration number and pilot certificate (for Part 107 operations) are correct.
Submit the request. The app sends the request to the UAS Data Exchange. Most requests receive an automated response within a few minutes.
Keep the authorization accessible during flight. Screenshots or in-app confirmations serve as proof of authorization if questioned by law enforcement or airport personnel.

LAANC vs Manual Airspace Authorization

LAANC is not the only way to get airspace authorization, though it is the fastest. The FAA also accepts manual authorization requests through the DroneZone portal for flights that cannot be handled through LAANC. Manual requests are appropriate for:

Flights in airspace where no LAANC coverage is available yet.
Flights at altitudes above the Facility Map ceiling for a specific location.
Waiver requests for operations that require exemption from Part 107 rules.
Flights that require coordination with multiple air traffic facilities.

Manual requests can take 30 to 90 days for the FAA to process. For anything time-sensitive, LAANC is the practical choice when it is available.

Final Notes

LAANC is one of the most important practical tools for legal drone operation in the United States. The system removes what used to be a significant bureaucratic obstacle and replaces it with near instant approvals for the vast majority of controlled airspace flights. Pilots who regularly fly near airports should download a LAANC-enabled app, create an account, and become comfortable with the request workflow before the moment when they actually need authorization.

Always check the LAANC status of your flight location before leaving for a session. Plan the flight around the Facility Map ceiling when possible. Keep the authorization accessible during operation. These habits turn LAANC from an occasional complication into a routine part of preflight.