The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system became available to commercial drone pilots in mid-2018 and became available to recreational drone pilots in July 2019. The LAANC system is a partnership between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and private industry, and provides drone pilots with access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet as well as provides Air Traffic Professionals with visibility into where and when drones are operating. The system effectively provides commercial drone pilots with instant FAA authorization using a third-party app. More information can be found at FAA’s website.

Prior to LAANC, FAA authorizations for commercial pilots flying in controlled airspace took weeks and sometimes months to approve. This delay was a hindrance to many commercial drone flights in controlled airspace and was the source of too much uncertainty in scheduling flights. The LAANC system solves this problem and now allows commercial drone pilots to be much more responsive to their clients when many projects like real estate transactions and property assessments are very schedule-driven.

The LAANC system available at approximately 400 air traffic facilities covering about 600 airports. Dronetelligence’s service area is covered by the LAANC system, and this will allow us to be responsive to our client’s aerial imaging needs.