44809 Airspace Authorizations - LAANC

LAANC- Operational Description of USS Operations with Users

LAANC provides a manner in which small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) can request authorization to fly in controlled airspace. LAANC leverages partnerships with private industry actors called UAS Service Suppliers (USSs). USSs provide a means through which sUAS operators can submit authorization requests to the FAA. Primarily, the roll of the USS is to assist in flight planning by informing operators of regulatory and operational constraints, validating required operational submissions (authorization requests under 49 U.S.C. § 44809(a)(5), and sending the data to the FAA via a secure application programing interface. The FAA develops and provides requirements to the USSs advising what information is required from the sUAS operators in order to request authorization to fly in controlled airspace.

The USS uses an application that the sUAS operates access to make their authorizations requests. The specific applications vary from USS to USS and that variation is acceptable as long as the required information (detailed below) need to respond to authorization requests is included. Additionally, the USS will inform the operator of any applicable statutory constraints. The USS will help the operator determine if an authorization is required and where the flight operation can take place. In addition to providing statutory constraints, the USS will provide the 44809 operator with additional operational constraints such as airspace classifications and boundaries, restricted areas such as Special Use Airspace (14 CFR Part 99.7), Temporary Flight Restrictions (see tfr.faa.gov), and UAS altitude constraints. This information will be geographically depicted on a modern interface to help the operator know where they can safely conduct UAS operations.

Specifically, the USS will collect the following from the respondents: their name, phone number (during the operation), start date/time, duration, maximum altitude (above ground level), boundary geometry, authorizing airport, UAS Facility Maps grids touched, and airspace classes touched.