What is LAANC?
LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is the FAA's automated system for granting drone pilots near-real-time airspace authorization in controlled airspace around airports.
LAANC bridges the FAA and roughly 700 airports through approved third-party providers (Aloft, AirMap, AutoPylot, KittyHawk). When a drone pilot requests authorization, the system checks the planned flight against the FAA's UAS Facility Map (UASFM) — a per-grid-cell map showing the maximum altitude at which automatic approval is available. If the flight is at or below that ceiling, authorization is granted in seconds. If it exceeds the ceiling, the pilot must apply for a waiver through the FAA DroneZone portal, which can take 90 days.
LAANC applies to both Part 107 (commercial) and recreational pilots flying under 49 USC 44809. The same airspace rules apply to both groups; LAANC is just the automated permission mechanism that makes the rules workable.
LAANC came online in 2017 as a replacement for the earlier paper-based airspace authorization process. Before LAANC, drone pilots needed individual FAA approval for every controlled-airspace flight — a process measured in months. LAANC made commercial drone work in cities operationally viable.
What this means for pilots
Before any flight in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or E surface area), check the LAANC ceiling for your specific cell. If you can fly at or below that ceiling, request authorization through any approved provider — it returns in under a minute. If your planned altitude exceeds the ceiling, you have three options: lower the flight, fly somewhere else, or apply for a waiver weeks in advance.
FAQ
Is LAANC required for recreational pilots?
Yes. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 made airspace authorization mandatory for recreational pilots in controlled airspace, the same as for Part 107 pilots.
What's the difference between LAANC and a waiver?
LAANC is automated approval at or below the published per-cell ceiling. A waiver (via FAA DroneZone) is required for flights above the ceiling and can take 90 days.
Does LAANC cost anything?
No. LAANC itself is free. Some providers offer paid premium tiers but the basic authorization is always free.
Related terms
FAA regulations change. Verify current rules at faa.gov/uas before relying on this article for flight planning. Altoa is not the FAA.