Beginning Monday, April 30, 2018, the FAA is phasing in a nationwide beta test of the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) that will deploy the system incrementally at nearly 300 air traffic facilities covering approximately 500 airports. The beta expansion follows the successful evaluation of a prototype LAANC system last November, the agency says.
The system will provide near real-time airspace authorizations to commercial drone pilots, dramatically reducing the wait time compared to the existing manual authorization process. According to the FAA website, LAANC uses: “airspace data provided through temporary flight restrictions, NOTAMS and UAS facility maps that show the maximum altitude ceiling around airports where the FAA may authorize operations under Part 107.”
LAANC will deploy in waves six waves. By September 2018, LAANC will be available at nearly 300 air traffic facilities covering approximately 500 airports.
The system will deploy in the following waves:
|
Wave Number |
Date & Region |
|
Wave 1 |
April 30, 2018 South Central USA |
|
Wave 2 |
May 24, 2018 Western North USA |
|
Wave 3 |
June 21, 2018 Western South USA |
|
Wave 4 |
July 19, 2018 Eastern South USA |
|
Wave 5 |
August 16, 2018 Eastern North USA |
|
Wave 6 |
September 13, 2018 Central North USA |
Currently, there are only four approved LAANC UAS Service Suppliers. Companies interested in offering LAANC services have until May 16 to submit an application.