New airspace authorization directly from within the DroneDeploy- skip the 90-day wait

Sky Queen · Feb 1, 2018

Just thought to share this with you all commercial droners. This month, DroneDeploy partners, AirMap and Skyward are bringing this new feature, allowing you to take full advantage of LAANC — the FAA’s new Low-Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability initiative. It is in BETA phase, allows drone operators to request digital airspace authorizations near selected airports. Here is the list of participating airports. Can't wait for Los Angeles Airports to get on board too. Anyone has had a chance to try this feature yet? Would love to hear what it is like.
FAA Facilities participating in LAANC Initial Prototype Evaluation – Fall 2017

MapMaker53 · Feb 1, 2018

Overall pretty useless at this point unless operating near a small handful of airports.

BigAl07 · Feb 1, 2018

Unfortunately we are seeing "hints" here and there it's not rolling out as quickly as had been estimated. I got this earlier this week directly from AirMap:

Beginning in April, the LAANC prototype will expand into a national beta. By the end of the year, more than 500 towered airports across the United States will begin offering LAANC authorization.

LAANC Digital Airspace Authorization Makes its Debut for Third Party Developers

Sky Queen · Feb 1, 2018

MapMaker53 said:
Overall pretty useless at this point unless operating near a small handful of airports.

I agree...But it is a good first step! Gotta be patient

Sky Queen · Feb 1, 2018

BigAl07 said:
Unfortunately we are seeing "hints" here and there it's not rolling out as quickly as had been estimated. I got this earlier this week directly from AirMap:

Beginning in April, the LAANC prototype will expand into a national beta. By the end of the year, more than 500 towered airports across the United States will begin offering LAANC authorization.

LAANC Digital Airspace Authorization Makes its Debut for Third Party Developers

Good to know...So I won't keep my hopes high and site here waiting for LA. I am sure they will have to test it out in smaller and not so busy airports first for a while before they decide to expand it to larger airports.

Dave Pitman · Feb 2, 2018

Sky Queen said:
Anyone has had a chance to try this feature yet?

It's not active in my area, the PNW. But I gave LAANC a go through Skyward and was able to get and immediate authorization in San Jose, CA class B airspace. I'll say it's an improvement.

Sky Queen · Feb 5, 2018

Dave Pitman said:
...I gave LAANC a go through Skyward and was able to get and immediate authorization in San Jose, CA class B airspace.

Oh That is good to know. Hope more and more airports will participate in the LAANC soon.

Zzzoom3 · Feb 7, 2018

Do you still have to have a valid waiver to receive authorization? Does this bypass the Part 107 Waiver requirement?

Sky Queen · Feb 7, 2018

Zzzoom3 said:
Do you still have to have a valid waiver to receive authorization? Does this bypass the Part 107 Waiver requirement?

This is suppose to expedite the process and bypass the waiver requirement.

Zzzoom3 · Feb 7, 2018

Sky Queen said:
This is suppose to expedite the process and bypass the waiver requirement.

Hmmm .. The waiver application/approval enables you to forego Title 14, Part 107 requirements for flight such as operating inside Class B, D or operating 2 drones at the same time. I find it hard to believe they are bypassing this process thru an application which will provide immediate relief from Part 107 rules?? For ATC authorization, it makes sense but in order to get authorization, you normally have to provide the approved waiver.

But hey, we just launched a car into orbit with a dummy dressed in a space suit driving it so not too much surprises me anymore!