Getting Instant Airspace Approval for Drone Flights Near Airports

Ever wonder if you’re allowed to fly your drone near an airport or how complicated the process actually is? Today, I’m going to show you the not-so-secret way to getting instant airspace approval – something every drone pilot should know about. In the next few minutes, you’ll learn how to get instant approval to fly near an airport, the exact steps to submit your request, and a special trick to fly higher than the FAA limit. Let’s dive in.

Understanding Airspace Approval

Airspace approval in the United States is required when flying near certain areas, mostly near airports. There are two ways to get airspace approval for drones:

1. The FAA Drone Zone
2. The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC)

LAANC is available for most airports and operations, though it has some limitations we’ll discuss later. LAANC uses the FAA UAS facility map to show the surface airspace that is or isn’t part of the program. Areas that are part of the LAANC program appear with green squares in the FAA map.

LAANC-approved areas appear in red airspace broken into grid squares associated with specific altitudes. The number inside each square is the maximum altitude for immediate approval. Note that you still need approval to fly in these areas.

Using the Aloft Air Control App: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s examine the Prescott airport, which is a Class D airport with a Class E extension on the southwest side. Here’s how to use the Aloft air control app:

Select your flying location by either:

• Dropping a pin by tapping the map
• Using the search function in the bottom corner for an address or latitude/longitude

For this example, let’s fly near Watson Lake, one of our favorite areas. After tapping to drop a pin:

• Click on LAANC
• Choose between Part 107 flight (labeled as commercial) or recreational flight
• For non-recreational flights under Part 107, select “commercial”
• Click and hold different corners to expand the box over your entire flying area (in this case, the entire lake)

Setting Altitude:

• In this area, we’re allowed up to 400 ft for instant approval
• Use the slider to select your altitude
• It’s recommended to pick the maximum allowed altitude
• Click “next”

Schedule Your Flight:

• Pick the date and time
• You can request LAANC approvals up to 90 days in advance
• This allows pre-planning all missions ahead of time

Review and Submit:

• Confirm eligibility for pre-approval
• Review your contact information
• Familiarize yourself with operation terms, especially the crucial note that “altitude limits are absolute values above ground level, which shall not be added to the height of any structures”
• Note: You cannot apply the rule where you can fly 400 ft above and within a structure under Part 107 in LAANC approved airspace
• Click “agree and submit”

You’ll receive approval via text message or email, depending on your notification settings.

Flying Higher Than FAA Limits: Further Coordination

The special trick for flying higher than FAA limits is called “further coordination,” available through:

• LAANC
• Aloft air control app
• FAA Drone Zone

Important notes:

• Only available to Part 107 operators
• Must request at least 60 days before missions requiring:
• Flight above the grid
• Flight in a zero grid (very close to runways)
• Include comprehensive information about your operation and safety measures

LAANC Limitations

Waiver Restrictions

• Only affects Part 107 operators (recreational flyers cannot get waivers)
• If you have a waiver to fly in airspace requiring authorization, you cannot use LAANC
• Must use FAA Drone Zone for airspace authorization instead

Restricted Areas

• Red zones on FAA facility maps
• Military bases and certain other areas require FAA Drone Zone applications
• Both Part 107 and recreational flyers can operate but need extra approval

TFR Considerations

• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may have delayed appearances in apps
• Some TFRs, like stadium TFRs, may not show up at all
• Always verify on TFR.faa.gov before flying

Additional Resources

We have a free deep dive course available on our website about using LAANC in general. The link will be in the description. If you’re starting out and want to know more about the rules to fly your drone in the United States, check out our other video, and we’ll see you in the next one.