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Drone Authority
Drone controller and phone showing an airspace authorization appLAANC · UASFM

Flying legally

How to get LAANC authorization

LAANC, the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, is how eligible requests can receive near-real-time FAA authorization in participating controlled airspace. Availability and approval are not universal. Here is how to use the fast path without mistaking a map value for permission.

Verified July 10, 2026. Educational, not legal advice. FAA rules change, so confirm current requirements at faa.gov/uas before you fly.

Time

About 15 minutes

Cost

Free

What you need

  • A registered drone
  • TRUST (recreational) or Part 107 (commercial)
  • An approved LAANC app

What LAANC actually is

Most of the airspace around airports is “controlled,” and you cannot legally fly a drone there without permission. LAANC is the automated system that processes many authorization requests. You submit a location, time, and altitude through an approved provider; eligible requests can be decided in near real time, while others need further FAA coordination.

It is available to both recreational flyers and Part 107 pilots, and requests can be submitted up to 90 days in advance of your planned flight.

Do you even need LAANC?

Only if you are flying in controlled airspace: Class B, C, D, or the surface-area portions of Class E, which surround airports. If your spot is in uncontrolled Class G airspace (most rural and suburban areas away from airports), you do not need LAANC at all.

Check the airspace first

Run your location through our Can I fly here? tool or a B4UFLY-approved app. If it comes back green and uncontrolled, you can skip the rest of this guide.

Get authorized, step by step

  1. Make sure you meet the prerequisites

    Your drone must be registered. Recreational flyers need to have passed TRUST; Part 107 pilots need a current Remote Pilot Certificate. LAANC does not replace either.

  2. Download an approved LAANC app

    Open the FAA's current LAANC provider table, choose a service that supports your type of operation, then create an account and add your pilot details. Do not rely on an old list of app names.

  3. Drop a pin and set your altitude

    Select the exact location, date, and time window you want to fly, then choose your maximum altitude. The app overlays the UAS Facility Map grid so you can see the published value for each square.

  4. Submit and get your answer

    A request at or below the UAS Facility Map value may be eligible for near-real-time authorization. Requests that need further coordination take longer and are not guaranteed.

  5. Fly within the authorization

    Stay inside the approved location, time, and altitude. Keep proof of the authorization accessible in case you are asked for it.

Use the FAA's live provider table

Provider status and supported pilot types can change. The FAA's table is the authoritative place to choose a current service.

Open the FAA LAANC provider list

If the airport is not served by LAANC, use FAADroneZone and allow time for FAA review.

Reading the UAS Facility Maps

LAANC works off the FAA's UAS Facility Maps, a grid laid over controlled airspace where each square shows a value used to evaluate authorization requests. It is not a pre-approval or a promise that an altitude will be authorized. Near a runway, the value may be 0 feet; a few miles out it may be 200 or 400 feet.

A 0-foot grid means no auto-approval

If your square reads 0 feet, do not interpret it as permission to fly at ground level. The request needs FAA authorization and may require further coordination, or you can choose a different location.

Test this conceptPractice LAANC, facility-map, and airspace questions

Recreational vs. Part 107: the small difference

The process is nearly identical for both. The differences:

  • Recreational flyers must have TRUST and use the recreational authorization options supported by the current provider.
  • Part 107 pilots can request authorizations above the grid value for further ATC coordination, which recreational flyers cannot do through LAANC.

Keep going

LAANC: frequently asked questions

What is LAANC?
LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is the FAA's automated system for approving drone flights in controlled airspace. Instead of waiting weeks for a manual authorization, you request access through an FAA-approved app and, in most cases, get an instant approval up to the ceiling the FAA has pre-set for that location.
How do I get LAANC authorization?
Open an FAA-approved LAANC app (such as Aloft, Avision, or DroneUp), drop a pin on your launch location, choose an altitude at or below the posted grid ceiling, and submit. Approvals for locations inside the pre-approved grid come back in seconds. Requests above the grid ceiling are routed to the tower for manual review, which can take days.
Is LAANC free?
Yes. The FAA does not charge for LAANC, and the approved apps provide the basic authorization service for free. Some apps sell premium planning features, but the authorization itself costs nothing.
Do I need LAANC to fly my drone?
Only in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface Class E near an airport). In Class G uncontrolled airspace — most rural and suburban areas away from airports — no authorization is required. Check your exact spot first; a location that looks open may sit under a controlled shelf.
Does LAANC work for recreational flyers, or only Part 107?
Both. LAANC handles authorizations for Part 107 certificate holders and for recreational flyers operating under the exception for limited recreational operations. You select which set of rules you're flying under when you make the request.
What does 'the LAANC grid' mean?
The FAA publishes UAS Facility Maps that divide controlled airspace into grid squares, each with a maximum altitude the FAA will auto-approve (0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 feet). If your requested altitude is at or below your square's ceiling, LAANC approves it instantly; above it, the request goes to the tower.