How to Get LAANC Authorization: Step-by-Step Guide for Drone Pilots
If your job site is near an airport, you probably need LAANC authorization before you fly. The good news: getting LAANC approval takes less than a minute. The bad news: most pilots waste more time figuring out how the system works than actually using it.
This guide walks through the LAANC authorization process step by step - from checking your airspace class to submitting a request and getting approval in seconds. Prefer video? Watch our LAANC walkthrough on YouTube.
What Is LAANC?
LAANC stands for Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. It is an FAA system that grants near-real-time authorization for drone flights in controlled airspace.
Before LAANC, Part 107 pilots had to apply for controlled airspace authorization through the FAA's DroneZone portal. That process took days to weeks. LAANC replaced most of that wait with an automated system that approves or denies requests in seconds.
LAANC works by dividing controlled airspace into a grid of squares, each with a maximum altitude ceiling. If your requested altitude is at or below the ceiling for your grid square, the system approves you instantly. If it is above the ceiling or the ceiling is 0 feet, you need manual authorization through DroneZone.
When Do You Need LAANC Authorization?
You need LAANC authorization when your drone flight is in controlled airspace - specifically Class B, C, D, or surface E airspace.
Class B - Surrounds major airports (LAX, JFK, ORD, ATL). Most restrictive.
Class C - Surrounds mid-size airports with approach control.
Class D - Surrounds smaller towered airports.
Surface E - Controlled airspace that extends to the surface at some airports.
If you are in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace, you do not need LAANC. Not sure what airspace class your site is in? Check our complete airspace guide or go directly to the Dronelytics airspace map.
How to Get LAANC Authorization
The process has four steps. Total time: under two minutes.
Check Your Airspace Class
Open a drone airspace map and search for your job site. Look at the airspace classification. If you see Class B, C, D, or surface E shading, you are in controlled airspace and need LAANC authorization.
The Dronelytics airspace map shows airspace classifications along with LAANC grid ceilings, TFRs, and other restrictions - all on one map.
Also check for active TFRs. A LAANC authorization does not override a temporary flight restriction. Read our TFR guide to understand how TFRs interact with LAANC.
Want to see live manned aircraft traffic at your site? Use SkyPinger, our free companion app that tracks nearby aircraft with ADS-B.
SkyPinger
Find Your LAANC Grid Ceiling
Controlled airspace near airports is divided into a grid of squares. Each square has a maximum altitude ceiling - the highest altitude LAANC can authorize for that location. Ceilings range from 0 to 400 feet AGL:
Find the grid square that covers your job site and note the ceiling. If it is high enough for your mission altitude, proceed to Step 3.
Request Authorization Through an Approved App
LAANC authorization requests go through FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS). See the FAA's current list of approved LAANC providers.
The process is similar across all apps:
- Set your flight location on the map
- Set your requested altitude (at or below the grid ceiling)
- Set your time window (when you plan to fly)
- Submit the request
The system checks your request against the LAANC grid and returns an approval - usually within seconds.
Fly Within Your Authorization
Your LAANC authorization is specific. It covers:
- A maximum altitude - Do not exceed it. Flying above your authorized ceiling is an airspace violation.
- A time window - Your authorization is valid for the time you requested, not indefinitely.
- A geographic area - Stay within the bounds of your approved area.
Keep your authorization confirmation accessible during the flight. If you are contacted by the FAA or law enforcement, you need to show your authorization on the spot.
What If the LAANC Ceiling Is 0 Feet?
A 0-foot LAANC ceiling means automated authorization is not available for that grid square. This is common directly adjacent to runways and in the most sensitive areas around airports.
To fly in a 0-foot grid, you need manual authorization through the FAA's DroneZone portal:
- Create or log into your DroneZone account at faadronezone.faa.gov
- Submit a Part 107 airspace authorization request
- Specify your exact location, altitude, dates, and operational details
- Wait for FAA review - this takes days to weeks, sometimes longer
Plan ahead - if you know you need to fly in a 0-foot grid, submit your DroneZone request weeks before the job. You can also check whether an alternate launch point nearby has a higher LAANC ceiling.
LAANC vs. DroneZone: When to Use Each
Use LAANC whenever possible. It is faster and simpler. Use DroneZone only when LAANC cannot accommodate your mission. For a side-by-side comparison of tools that show LAANC grid ceilings on their maps, see our comparison of free mission planning software.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does LAANC authorization take?
LAANC approvals are near-instant - typically under 60 seconds. You submit a request through an FAA-approved app specifying your location, altitude, and time window. The system checks against the LAANC grid and returns an approval or denial automatically.
Is LAANC authorization free?
Yes. LAANC authorization itself is free through all FAA-approved apps. Some apps charge subscription fees for additional features, but the authorization request and approval process has no cost.
Can I get LAANC authorization for nighttime flights?
Yes, if you have the Part 107.29 night operations authorization (now included in Part 107 by default with anti-collision lighting). LAANC does not restrict by time of day - it authorizes based on location and altitude.
What happens if I fly above my LAANC-authorized altitude?
Flying above your authorized ceiling is an airspace violation. The FAA can take enforcement action including fines and certificate suspension. Stay at or below your approved altitude at all times.
Check Your LAANC Grid Ceiling Now
The Dronelytics airspace map shows LAANC grid ceilings alongside airspace classes, TFRs, and all other FAA data layers. Find your job site, check the ceiling, and know exactly what altitude you can request.
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