FAA Approves Nine New LAANC Service Providers

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced nine new partners to its Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) initiative.

LAANC is an innovative collaboration between the FAA and the drone industry.

The initiative provides near real-time processing of airspace authorizations for Part 107 drone operators nationwide who fly in controlled airspace.

LAANC Expands

Following the FAA’s successful prototype, the initiative was simultaneously opened to additional air traffic control facilities and to new industry partners.

The five-month on-boarding process that began in April resulted in nine new LAANC partners. Those partners include: Aeronyde, Airbus, AiRXOS, Altitude Angel, Converge, DJI, KittyHawk, UASidekick and Unifly. The nine joined five companies – AirMap, Harris Corp., Project Wing, Skyward and Thales Group. All met the technical and legal requirements to provide LAANC Services.

How it Works

LAANC uses airspace data, including UAS facility maps, which shows the maximum altitude around airports where the FAA may authorize operations under Part 107 in controlled airspace. Drone operators can interact with industry developed applications and obtain near real-time authorization from the FAA.

LAANC, a foundation for developing the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management System (UTM),is now available at nearly 300 FAA air traffic facilities across the country, covering approximately 500 airports.

Next year, from January 7 to February 8 and from July 8 to August 9, the FAA will accept applications from parties interested in becoming LAANC service providers. This is not a standard government acquisition; there is no Screening Information Request (SIR) or Request for Proposal (RFP) related to this effort.

Interested parties can find information on the application process here.