Getting airspace authorization for drone flights has gotten complicated with all the different controlled airspace zones and approval processes flying around. As someone who’s filed hundreds of LAANC requests across the country, I learned everything there is to know about how the system works and what this latest expansion means for operators. Today, I will share it all with you.
The LAANC Expansion
The FAA expanded Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability coverage to 200 additional airports, bringing total LAANC-enabled facilities to over 900 nationwide. That’s what makes this update endearing to us commercial drone pilots — it means near-instant airspace authorization at locations where we previously had to wait days or even weeks for manual approval.
Why This Matters
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Before LAANC, getting authorization to fly in controlled airspace meant filing paperwork with the FAA and waiting. Sometimes a few days, sometimes weeks. If you had a time-sensitive job near an airport — say, a roofing inspection or real estate shoot — that wait time could kill the deal. LAANC changed the game by providing automated approvals within seconds for requests at published altitude limits.
With 200 more airports now covered, the number of locations where you’re stuck waiting for manual authorization continues to shrink. If you fly commercially in areas with smaller regional airports, check the updated FAA UAS facility maps to see if your local airports now have LAANC coverage.
How LAANC Works
For those not familiar with the process, you submit your authorization request through an approved LAANC provider app like Aloft, Airmap, or Kittyhawk. The app shows you the maximum approved altitudes for specific grid squares around controlled airspace. If your requested altitude falls within the published limits, you typically get automated approval in under a minute. It’s genuinely impressive how smooth the system runs compared to the old manual process.
Requests exceeding published limits still go to manual review, which takes longer. But for the vast majority of commercial drone operations — real estate photography, roof inspections, construction monitoring — the published limits are more than adequate.
Checking Your Coverage
To verify LAANC availability at your planned flight locations, check the FAA UAS facility maps through any approved LAANC provider or directly on the FAA website. The maps show both which airports have LAANC coverage and what altitude authorizations are available at each grid location. I make it a habit to check these maps during every pre-mission planning session, especially when working in areas I haven’t flown before. The coverage map updates periodically as the FAA adds new facilities, so what wasn’t covered last month might be covered now.
