Airspace Authorization through FAA DroneZone

Owned by Patrick Dowd
Jun 21, 2022

Before You Fly

It is always recommended to check your intended flight location for controlled airspace before flying. You can look up controlled airspace on the AirMap website or the App on the iPad via the address or latitude and longitude.

If you are near an airport that participates in LAANC, automatic approval can be obtained in most cases by applying via the AirMap website or the AirMap app on your iPad. However, there may be occasions where you must apply via FAADroneZone to obtain an airspace authorization:

  1. The airport in question does not participate in LAANC

  2. LAANC is not available

  3. You would like to apply for a wide area authorization or authorization for up to 2 years

  4. The airport in question automatically rejects all LAANC requests that are requesting a higher altitude than the grid square allows, and will not do a manual review

NOTE: You will need to create a Drone Zone account, but you do not need to register your drone if you are leasing the system. Firmatek maintains that information with the FAA. BYOD customers will need to register their drone.

 Applying for Authorization

You'll need to gather a couple pieces of information before you submit your application:

  • When and why you want to fly

  • Latitude and longitude of the site, what type of airspace affects operations, and any nearby airports

  • A clear description of the operation

Once you've gathered this information, you're ready to apply online. Submit your application as soon as possible prior to your planned operations.

See below for more information and tips to complete your application(s):

  1. Access https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/

  2. Log in to your account

  3. Choose “Create Part 107 Waiver/Authorization”

  4. Choose “Airspace Authorization”

  5. Choose “Start Application”

  6. Provide a Title for the Operation along with Operator Contact Information 

Operation Parameters

The FAA requests specific data describing when you plan to fly at your site. 

Start/End date

  • Authorizations can be granted for terms up to 2 years, so the date should be set according to how long you desire permission. 

  • Submit applications as soon as possible (at least 2 weeks) prior to the start of your planned operations.

Timeframe of Operation

  • The time of day you plan to fly. Things to consider:

    • Typical weather conditions

    • Traffic & transit to site

    • Normal site operations

Frequency of Operation

  • How often you plan to operate (e.g. EOM surveys will be "Monthly")

Local Time Zone

  • Time zone where flight(s) will be conducted

Proposed Location of Operation

  • Describe your site in detail. Be sure to include:

    • Description of the area of operation, including city and state

    • Specific information about the location of the operation

Proposed Maximum Flight Altitude Above Ground Level (AGL)

  • The proposed altitude you provide should be in line with the fly height you have defined for your mission.

Latitude/Longitude

  • These can be obtained from the AirMap site once you enter in a site address. 

Radius

  • The distance from your site's latitude and longitude coordinates where you wish to operate.

**Keep in mind that line of sight for drone operations is 1/2 mile**

Nearest airport

  • Indicate the airport nearest to your proposed area of operation. The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) 4-digit airport code can be found on the AirNav website searching by airport name.

  • The codes for North American airports begin with the letter K and are followed by a 3-letter airport identifier. 

Class of airspace

Select the airspace classification of the airport (Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class Surface E)

 

Description of proposed operation 

The FAA asks that you include a method to ensure the small unmanned aircraft will operate safely and efficiently within the specified controlled airspace and a way to immediately communicate with the Pilot in Command (PIC) during UAS operations (if ATC deems necessary). Kespry recommends including the following information:

  • Identify potential hazards and risks. 

    • NOTE: The FAA will deny requests submitted without hazard identification and risk mitigation strategies.

  • Describe, in specific detail, how you propose to mitigate risks associated with the hazards utilizing operating limitations, technology, training, equipment, personnel, sterile areas, etc. Include:

    • The operator / PIC has the ability to emergency land or call the drone back to the takeoff location at any point during flight

    • The drone will trigger an automatic safe landing in the event of loss of radio connection or GPS lock, triggers obstacle detection, or low battery

    • The operator will monitor the drone at all times and will use visual observers that are in constant contact with the operator/PIC as needed

    • The operator will notify ATC before each flight (if deemed necessary)

  • Include the reason an airspace authorization will not provide adequate relief for the proposed operation

  • Explain the reason that your surveys need to be continually conducted

  • Provide contact information for the operator in the event of a need for immediate contact by ATC

Link an Authorization or Waiver

The FAA allows you to link a prior approval using a reference number provided via email following your submission(s). 

Review

When you have verified your application includes all the necessary information, submit your application. You may not receive a confirmation email or be able to print a PDF of your application, so be sure to screenshot or document all information you included before submitting.

Track Status

Now you have access to the Part 107 Waivers & Authorizations Dashboard to view all submitted waivers and authorizations.  Track the approval process and access the Reference ID for your applications.