The whole question of where you can fly comes down to one split: controlled vs uncontrolled airspace. In uncontrolled (Class G) airspace you just stay at or below 400 feet. In controlled airspace near airports you need authorization, and eligible LAANC requests can be approved in near real time. Add the rules for night and flying over people, and you have the full picture.
Key facts
- Altitude ceiling
- 400 ft above ground level (or within 400 ft of a structure under Part 107)
- Uncontrolled (Class G)
- No authorization needed: most of the U.S. away from airports
- Controlled (B/C/D/surface E)
- Authorization required: LAANC where available, otherwise FAADroneZone
- LAANC services
- Use the FAA's current approved-provider list; providers and coverage can change
- Night flying
- Part 107: updated test or recurrent training plus 3-mile lighting. Recreational: recognized-CBO night procedures.
- Over people
- Only under one of four Operations Over People categories
- Line of sight
- Drone must stay within visual line of sight
Controlled vs uncontrolled airspace
The airspace class tells you whether you need authorization before you launch.
| Class | Type | Authorization | On the chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class G | Uncontrolled | None: fly up to 400 ft AGL | Open, away from airports |
| Class E (surface) | Controlled to surface | LAANC / FAA authorization | Magenta dashed ring near some airports |
| Class D | Controlled | LAANC / FAA authorization | Smaller towered airports (dashed blue ring) |
| Class C | Controlled | LAANC / FAA authorization | Mid-size airports (solid magenta rings) |
| Class B | Controlled | LAANC / FAA authorization | Busiest airports (solid blue rings) |
LAANC: near-real-time airspace authorization
The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is how you get cleared to fly in participating controlled airspace. UAS Facility Maps publish grid values that help the FAA process requests; an eligible request at or below the value can receive near-real-time authorization through an approved provider. A grid value is not permission by itself, and not every airport or request is served by LAANC.
- Choose a service from the FAA's current approved LAANC provider list.
- Use the UAS Facility Map value to plan the request; the value is not authorization by itself.
- Near-real-time approval applies only to eligible requests; above-grid requests require further FAA coordination.
- After approval, the altitude stated in the authorization is an additional operating limit; do not exceed it even if another rule would allow a higher altitude.
- Use FAADroneZone when the controlled airspace is not served by LAANC.
- Both recreational and Part 107 flyers use LAANC for controlled airspace.
Use the FAA's live provider list
LAANC suppliers and the capabilities they offer can change. The FAA's own provider table is the authoritative place to choose a service for recreational or Part 107 authorization.
Open the FAA LAANC provider listIf LAANC does not serve the airport or your request needs further coordination, submit through FAADroneZone and allow time for FAA review.
The 400-foot ceiling, precisely
Stay at or below 400 feet above ground level in uncontrolled airspace. Under Part 107 you may go higher only when within 400 feet of a structure (for example, inspecting a tall tower). In controlled airspace, also stay at or below the altitude in your FAA authorization. That authorized altitude is an additional limit; it does not replace the Part 107 operating ceiling. A UAS Facility Map value helps evaluate the request but does not grant permission by itself.
Flying at night
Under Part 107, the remote pilot must have completed the applicable updated initial knowledge test or online recurrent training. The drone must carry anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles, with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. Verify that the installed lighting meets that standard before relying on it.
Recreational night flight follows a different path. Recreational flyers must operate under an FAA-recognized community-based organization's safety guidelines, including its night procedures and required lighting. The Part 107 test-or-training condition does not apply to a flight conducted under the recreational exception.
The four categories
Flying over people
You may not fly over people or moving vehicles by default. The FAA opened four categories that permit it, scaled to how much injury the drone could cause. The lighter and safer the drone, the fewer the restrictions.
Category 1
0.55 lb (250 g) or lighter, with no exposed rotating parts that could cause lacerations. Sustained flight over an open-air assembly requires a Standard Remote ID drone or a Remote ID broadcast module.
Category 2
Must not cause injury equivalent to or greater than the injury caused by an 11-foot-pound kinetic-energy transfer on impact from a rigid object; equality with that benchmark fails. No lacerating exposed rotating parts or safety defects. Requires an FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance. Sustained flight over an open-air assembly requires Standard Remote ID or a Remote ID broadcast module.
Category 3
Must not cause injury equivalent to or greater than the injury caused by a 25-foot-pound kinetic-energy transfer on impact from a rigid object; equality with that benchmark fails. No lacerating exposed rotating parts or safety defects. May not fly over open-air assemblies and is limited over people.
Category 4
Drones with an airworthiness certificate, operated under the applicable operating limitations. Sustained flight over an open-air assembly requires Standard Remote ID or a Remote ID broadcast module.
Tool
Can I fly here?
Check the airspace and restrictions at a specific location.
Related rule
Part 107
The commercial rule that ties these operating limits together.
Next airspace layer
Special-use airspace and TFRs
Separate prohibited areas, restricted areas, MOAs, NSAs, stadiums, emergency restrictions, and live status.
Sources
Rules current as of June 2026; verify at faa.gov/uas. Educational, not legal advice.