Applying for LAANC Authorization in AirData

Feature availability

For additional information, please check out our LAANC FAQ page

What is LAANC?

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is an FAA program that allows unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to access restricted airspace in a more automated manner.

AirData’s LAANC authorization module is integrated with Airbus, an FAA approved provider of LAANC capability.

Please note: Pilots will need Part 107 certification for commercial flight operations. Part 107 registration can be added in the “Users/Pilots” settings page in “My Account”. Please see the FAQ at the bottom of this page for more information.

Request LAANC for an existing mission

To begin the application process, move to the MISSIONS page.

If you have a previously created mission that you want to authorize through LAANC,

Select that mission, and:

1. Choose the LAANC tab. Then,

2. Click the “Request LAANC via Airbus” button.

3. Head to the “Finish LAANC approval on Airbus UTM” Section below.

Create a new mission for LAANC approval

If you want to create a new mission that needs LAANC approval:

1. Choose “+ Add Mission”

2. Fill out the Details page

Some flight parameters will require Further Coordination Approval from the FAA.

Please see the FAQ for the differences between Further Coordination Approval and Automatic Authorized Approval

3. Continue to the Location page. Select the area of operations for which you wish to authorize LAANC.

Note on LAANC eligibility: Make sure that your Height of operation and Maximum height of operation are below the ceiling set for that restricted airspace.

If one portion of the selected operations airspace is not LAANC-eligible, you will not be able to proceed to LAANC authorization.

You can view whether or not your selected area is eligible for LAANC in the right hand toolbar.

If your mission requires LAANC Further Coordination (FC), it will be indicated in the right hand toolbar.

4. Fill out the rest of the mission creation process until you get to the “Approvals” page.

5. Click “Finish and proceed to LAANC”

Finish LAANC approval on Airbus UTM

*If this is your first time seeking LAANC approval through this AirData account, you will be asked to create an Airbus UTM account.

If your flight is eligible for LAANC Automatic Approved Authorization

1. Check that all your mission information is correct on the Airbus "New flight plan" page and hit "Save".

2. If your flight is eligible for LAANC Automatic Approved Authorization, you should see a green "Passed" label and checkmark.

3. Check "I agree to the FAA privacy policy and Airbus UTM privacy policy" and hit "REQUEST AUTHORIZATION".

4. You should be taken to a page with an authorization code and a link back to AirData.

In AirData, you should see the LAANC authorization code and status populated in the "LAANC" tab of your mission.

If your flight requires LAANC Further Coordination Authorization

If your operational height exceeds the LAANC ceiling in your selected airspace, or if you are attempting to fly at night with a Part 107 certification, you will need to apply for Further Coordination from the FAA.

1. Check that all your mission information is correct on the Airbus "New flight plan" page and hit "Save".

2. If it is determined that your flight requires Further Coordination, you will be presented with text explaining why this is the case, as well as a button that reads"REQUEST FURTHER COORDINATION". Press this button.

3. You will be asked to provide a written justification for FAA review. Fill this out and check your agreement to the FAA and Airbus’s privacy policy. Then, press the blue Request Authorization button.

4. You should be taken to a page with multiple authorization codes and a link back to AirData.

You should also see a message that reads: “Authorization is pending with the ATC. Please do not contact the ATC by phone as this may result in your request being rejected.”

5. In AirData, you should see multiple LAANC authorization codes with “Pending” status populated in the "LAANC" tab of your mission.

You can use the MAP feature to locate an appropriate area for LAANC-eligible operations.

From within the AirData web app, you can click click:

PLAN → MAP

MAP will allow you to view the availability of LAANC in different regions of airspace.

FAQ

How do I add Part 107 registration for myself or my pilots?

In order to add a Pilot’s Part 107 registration to their account, head to our Users/Pilots settings page: https://app.airdata.com/main?a=account&apage_id=users_pilots.

You can navigate there by clicking:

“My Account” -> “Users/Pilots” -> “Edit”.

You will need to provide a “Registration Number”, date of issuance, and date of expiration for the certification.

How can I apply for twilight and night time flight approval?

Flying during twilight and night-time is available to Part 107 pilots under Further Coordination Approval.

What is the max height available for LAANC approval?

Program-wide, max height for approval under LAANC is capped at 400 ft.

For Automatic Approved Authorization, your flight must stay within the prescribed height ceiling of the operational airspace.

What do the highlighted colors on the flight map mean in terms of LAANC eligibility?

The AirData mission planning map shows three colors representing different available levels of LAANC.

If the highlighted area is GREEN, that indicates that your flight is eligible for Automatic Approved Authorization in that airspace.

If the highlighted area is PURPLE, that indicates that your flight requires Further Coordination Authorization in that airspace.

If the highlighted area is RED, that indicates that your flight is ineligible for LAANC authorization in that airspace.

When can I apply for LAANC authorization?

Make sure that your flight is no more than 90 days out from the day of the request.

If your flight is eligible for Automatic Approved Authorization, you can apply for LAANC approval up to the start time of the operation.

If your flight requires Further Coordination, make sure that your operations date is 72 hours or more away from the date of application.

What is LAANC Authorization?

Pilots can apply for LAANC authorization from within AirData’s mission planning module. Part 107-certified and Recreational (Sec. 44809) pilots can apply for access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet.

What is LAANC Automatic Approved Authorization?

Flights meeting certain parameters are eligible for automated digital approval from the FAA.

Typically, flights must occur during daylight hours and have an operational height that does not exceed the prescribed height in the requested airspace.

Notes from the FAA LAANC Rules:

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/laanc_for_industry/LAANC_USS_Performance_Rules.pdf

“USSs may submit auto-approved authorizations up to the start time of the operation.”

“The USS must not make submissions more than 90 days in advance of the planned start of the operation. Note that the FAA prefers that submissions be made with as much lead time as practical.”

What is LAANC Further Coordination Authorization?

Flights that are eligible for LAANC, but exceed the parameters of Automatic Approved Authorization must be submitted for Further Coordination approval.

Conditions that trigger Further Coordination Authorization:

Flying during twilight and night-time

Flying above the prescribed LAANC ceiling of your selected airspace

Notes from the FAA LAANC Rules:

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/laanc_for_industry/LAANC_USS_Performance_Rules.pdf

“Further Coordination requests must be submitted no later than 72 hours prior to the start time of the requested authorization.

[3.4.2c] Furthermore, the USS must automatically cancel any pending requests for Further Coordination 24 hours before the proposed start time if the FAA has not approved or denied the request.

Cancellation must be indicated by the corresponding message to the FAA.”

“The FAA’s goal is to respond to Further Coordination requests in less than 30 days, but it may take up to 90 days to either approve or deny and, in some cases, requests may expire without resolution.”

“[3.4.2d] The USS must not make submissions more than 90 days in advance. Note that the FAA prefers that submissions be made with as much lead time as practical.”

“[3.4.2g] If a Further Coordination request is denied, the USS must advise the operator not to submit an operation with the same input parameters as the one that was denied.

The USS may suggest that the operator submit the operation to FAADroneZone in an effort to create an operation that can be approved.”