Regulatory Alert: FAA Makes LAANC Available at 133 Additional ATC Facilities
September 24, 2020
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it has expanded the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system to include an additional 133 air traffic control (ATC) facilities. The LAANC system allows drone pilots to obtain near real-time airspace authorizations if the user intends to fly below certain pre-approved altitudes in controlled airspace. Without LAANC, pilots are forced to obtain the necessary authorization through a slower FAA process which can take up to 90 days. The announcement means LAANC is now accessible at 537 ATC facilities covering 726 airports and 81 percent of eligible airspace.
FAA has published a list of all airports covered by LAANC as of today.
LAANC has become increasingly important for the drone and airport communities. In July 2019, FAA made the system available to recreational drone users, eliminating the need for them to contact and notify the airport prior to operating in controlled airspace. FAA has slowly been adding more airports and ATC facilities where the system is accessible. AAAE continues to urge FAA to expand LAANC to all eligible facilities, including all contract tower airports, and provide airports with access to LAANC data to improve their ability to respond to potential unauthorized or nefarious drone use around the airport.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org.
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it has expanded the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system to include an additional 133 air traffic control (ATC) facilities. The LAANC system allows drone pilots to obtain near real-time airspace authorizations if the user intends to fly below certain pre-approved altitudes in controlled airspace. Without LAANC, pilots are forced to obtain the necessary authorization through a slower FAA process which can take up to 90 days. The announcement means LAANC is now accessible at 537 ATC facilities covering 726 airports and 81 percent of eligible airspace.
FAA has published a list of all airports covered by LAANC as of today.
LAANC has become increasingly important for the drone and airport communities. In July 2019, FAA made the system available to recreational drone users, eliminating the need for them to contact and notify the airport prior to operating in controlled airspace. FAA has slowly been adding more airports and ATC facilities where the system is accessible. AAAE continues to urge FAA to expand LAANC to all eligible facilities, including all contract tower airports, and provide airports with access to LAANC data to improve their ability to respond to potential unauthorized or nefarious drone use around the airport.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org.
