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Standalone LAANC Authorization


Feature availability


If you have general questions about LAANC, please visit our LAANC FAQ at: https://app.airdata.com/wiki/Help/LAANC+FAQ


What is LAANC authorization?

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is an FAA program that allows unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to access restricted airspace in a more automated manner.

AirData’s LAANC authorization module is integrated with Airbus UTM, a service provided by Acubed, the technology and innovation arm of Airbus. Airbus is an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier (USS) for LAANC.

Part 107-certified and Recreational (Sec. 44809) pilots can apply for access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet.


AirData currently allows Enterprise customers the ability to apply for LAANC approval through two means:

1. The Mission Planning module;

2. The Standalone LAANC Approval module.

For instructions on how to apply for LAANC in Mission Planning, visit:
https://app.airdata.com/wiki/Help/Applying+for+LAANC+Authorization+in+AirData



Starting a Standalone LAANC Request

There are two ways to begin a Standalone LAANC Request.

1a. Navigate to: PLAN -> LAANC. Then, select “+Request LAANC”.


Image of LAANC Request Plus Symbol AirData PLAN LAANC


1b. Navigate to: PLAN -> MAP. Then, select the location at which you would like to apply for LAANC and click "'Click here' to request LAANC" in the right hand toolbar.


Image of AirData PLAN MAP Click here to request LAANC



2. You will see the LAANC planning page. Select the date, duration, and airspace of operation for which you wish to authorize LAANC.


Image of Airbus LAANC Available AirData Location Map


For Automatic Approval (AA) sure that your maximum height of operation is at or below the prescribed ceiling of the selected restricted airspace.

For flights requiring Further Coordination, make sure your request is at least 72 hours before the start of operations.

If any portion of the selected operations airspace is not LAANC-eligible, you will not be able to proceed to LAANC authorization.

You can see whether or not your selected area is eligible for LAANC in the right hand toolbar. If your flight is ineligible for LAANC due to it exceeding the height ceiling, you can adjust the height using the "Max height" field in the top right.



Image of AirData LAANC Location Map Restricted Not Available Red



3. Hit “Finish and proceed to Airbus”


Finish LAANC approval on Airbus UTM

*If this is your first time seeking LAANC approval through this AirData account, you will be asked to create an Airbus UTM account.


Image of Airbus UTM Account Creation Page


If your flight is eligible for LAANC Automatic Approved Authorization

1. Check that all your mission information is correct on the Airbus "New flight plan" page and hit "Save".


Image of Airbus UTM Pre-Flight Page with Arrow to Date of Mission


2. If your flight is eligible for LAANC Automatic Approved Authorization, you should see a green "Passed" label and checkmark.

3. Check "I agree to the FAA privacy policy and Airbus UTM privacy policy" and hit "REQUEST AUTHORIZATION".


Image of Airbus UTM Request Authorization Button


4. You should be taken to a page with an authorization code and a link back to AirData.


Image of Airbus UTM LAANC Authorization Code


In AirData, you should see the LAANC authorization code and status populated in the "LAANC" tab of your mission.



Image of Approved LAANC Status AirData Green Check


If your flight requires LAANC Further Coordination Authorization

If your operational height exceeds the LAANC ceiling in your selected airspace, or if you are attempting to fly at night with a Part 107 certification, you will need to apply for Further Coordination from the FAA.


1. Check that all your mission information is correct on the Airbus "New flight plan" page and hit "Save".


Image of Airbus UTM Pre-Flight Page with Arrow to Date of Mission


2. If it is determined that your flight requires Further Coordination, you will be presented with text explaining why this is the case, as well as a button that reads "REQUEST FURTHER COORDINATION". Press this button.


Image of Airbus UTM Request Further Coordination Button


3. You will be asked to provide a written justification for FAA review. Fill this out and check your agreement to the FAA and Airbus’s privacy policy. Then, press the blue Request Authorization button.



Image of Blue Request Authorization Button



4. You should be taken to a page with multiple authorization codes and a link back to AirData.

You should also see a message that reads: “Authorization is pending with the ATC. Please do not contact the ATC by phone as this may result in your request being rejected.”


Image of Airbus UTM Multiple Authorization Codes. We recommend not contacting the ATC by phone, in this case.


5. In AirData, you should see multiple LAANC authorization codes with “Pending” status populated in the "LAANC" tab of your mission. Following approval of your FC request, the statuses will read "Approved".

From this page, you can navigate back to Airbus UTM to view your LAANC request information or cancel your pending or approved LAANC requests.

 Please note:  Currently, Standalone LAANC approval is not linked to individual flight logs. Future updates to AirData will make it possible to associate LAANC approvals with individual flights.



Image of AirData LAANC Approval Pending Statuses Yellow Clockfaces


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