How to Get LAANC Approval Using Kittyhawk and Skyward?

In this blog post, we share step-by-step instructions for getting LAANC approval through the Kittyhawk LAANC App and the Skyward site.

In this blog post you will learn how to:

• Read UAS Facility Maps and Determine LAANC Approved Areas
• How to get Instantaneous LAANC Approval
• Get LAANC Approval using Skyward

How to Read FAA LAANC Maps and Determine LAANC Approved Areas

LAANC stands for “Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability.” Using LAANC, you can get airspace authorization for bigger airports that are LAANC approved. For airports that are not yet approved for LAANC, you will have to procure a 107.41 wide area authorization to fly. According to industry speculations, all airports might become LAANC-equipped by September 2020.

To obtain your airspace authorization, you first need to learn how to read FAA LAANC Maps or UAS Facility Maps. This will enable you to determine which areas are LAANC approved and which are not. Go to FAA Visualize It to access UAS facility maps. Because this is a memory intensive website, you should access this from the desktop rather than mobile.

Once you zoom in on your desired location, you will see the area divided up into red and green grids. Green grids mean that an area is LAANC approved whereas red grids indicate it is not. A shaded red area depicts a base area. Note that you cannot receive permission to fly in this space.

Each red and green grid contains a number ranging from 0 to 400. That is the fly ceiling.

Note that you cannot get an automatic authorization in fly in a zero grid area. To fly in a zero grid area, you need to share your risk mitigation steps with the ATC. The ATC will review your application and decide whether to approve or disapprove. Another important consideration is that a zero grid request will automatically cancel out 24 hours before the flight date. So, remember to apply well in advance.

To expedite approval to fly in a zero grid area, we strongly recommend building a strong working relationship with your airport. Contacting the ATC beforehand will result in faster approval.

Remember - If you wish to fly in a red grid or a green grid at night, you have to apply for a 107.41 Wide Area Authorization.

Also, do not forget to check your UASFM maps for any recent changes. For instance, there might be a new TFR in place. It is also not unusual for the FAA to increase or lower the flying height.

Also, the introduction of DJI’s new geofencing system, GEO V2.0, means that you might have to unlock your DJI system before flying in controlled airspace. Click HERE for further instructions on this.

Once you figure out a LAANC area, you can apply for LAANC through one of the LAANC providers. As of now, you can apply for LAANC through KittyHawk or Skyward.

How to Get Instantaneous Approval Using Kittyhawk LAANC App

• Download the Kittyhawk LAANC App
• Create your login and fire up the LAANC App
• Zoom in to your desired location
• On the map, different colors represent different flying heights altitudes
• Click on the large “+” or “ADD” button at the bottom of the screen, and then click “Request LAANC authorization”

• Enter the Date and Duration of your flight. Entering Aircraft details is optional.
• Draw the flight area and define your flying height

• Agree to the terms of commercial operation to receive instantaneous LAANC authorization.

How to Get LAANC Authorization Using Skyward

• Go to Skyward.io
• Log in to your account and click on “plan”
• Enter details such as onsite date and time, pilot, crew, aircraft, and name of the operation

• Then click "Save"
• In the top right-hand corner, click the pencil icon to select your flight area
• Click the “+” sign next to the flight area in the left-hand menu bar
• Next, click “Attach to Operation.” That will take you back to the mission that you are planning

• Scroll down and hit the large blue “Request Authorization” button
• Here you can see the maximum altitude that you can fly. Enter your flying altitude.
• Agree to the terms and conditions that state that will comply with Part 107 regulations.
• In doing so, you will receive your LAANC authorization

To obtain airspace authorization for airports that are not LAANC-approved, you need to apply for a 107.41 Area Wide Authorization. Check out this great instructional video for detailed step-by-step instructions.

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Comments (8)

• R

  Thanks for this informative piece about the 107. I may have a project coming up in the US soon.

  From where I come from (Singapore) the rules are very strict as well and without a permit we cannot fly above 200 feet to take any aerial photos or videos. Visual line of sight is also mandatory here.

  Regards,
  Rey (www.aerialphotography.sg)

  Rey
• R

  Drone U wrote: “……the possibilities are endless…..”Flying with total disregard of the “see and avoid” precept that aviation has instilled for a hundred years and flying into Class A airspace. Indeed…..the possibility of midair is endless. Amazon and others are working on true self contained collision avoidance. When they get it working then they will be able to fly beyond visual line of sight because the aircraft with be able to “SEE AND AVOID”. Until drone drivers get serious about ALWAYS yielding to manned aircraft there should be NO BVLOS flying. Actually there should be NO DRONE FLYING until it is crystal clear that drones do NOT have the right of way. Manned aircraft do…..by law and by common sense.

  Ray Van Cleave
• J

  Regarding, in your post, the section ‘Inability to Broadcast Message Elements in Areas with Poor Network Could Seriously Hamper Drone Operations’; in NPRM X-C (pages 101 and 102), they define the internet being “available” in this statement: “Under the proposed rule, the internet would be considered available if cellular orother forms of wireless internet connectivity such as Wi-Fi are available in an operational area with sufficient signal strength to maintain a connection between the UAS and the internet.” They go on to say, that if internet is not available, you can still fly under Std RID (not Limited RID). This seems to allow for operations where there is no cell coverage. The question is, how will this be enforced? Will they require the UAS controller to be designed to enforce this? What a situation where there is cell internet coverage, but you don’t have a data plan? Technically the internet is “available”, but any device capable of a cellular data connection would report that internet is not available. This Network Transmission thing is a mess!

  Jim North
• P

  I HATE DJI… so many times Ive had FAA approval to fly and my P4Pro2.0 says it cannot take off… it because of DJI’s geofencing and in border line areas… FAA says its good to go… DJI says NO. I’m also sick of having to log into DJI every day to get approval to fly. DJI is a PAIN and I’m happy to see good competition !!

  Patrick
• J

  What are the laws and regulations for flying a recreational drone and a commercial drone how do I find out what I need to do.

  John Winghart
• E

  Ford Motor Company White Paper on Zero Cost Remote ID. They also adeptly handle the subject of the absolute need for privacy. Not sure when it was released, but this is well thought out and makes a lot of sense. There is plenty of meat in here to help us provide our arguments effectively and convinceingly. file:///Users/rickbormanadmin2/Desktop/Ford-A-Zero-Cost-Solution-for-Remote-Identification(1).pdf

  Earle b
• E

  A link would be more helpful: https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North%20America/US/2018/03/07/Ford-A-Zero-Cost-Solution-for-Remote-Identification.pdf . Worth the read and perhaps a call to the author.

  Earle b
• V

  This is for Ray Van Cleave.

  You are obviously a egotistic manned aviator. The sky does not belong to you. It is ours too.

  You have committed your ignorance into this article for all to see. Congratulations for displaying that absolute idiocy to us.

  I know plenty of your fellow manned aviators whom would think you are off your meds if you have an attitude like that. Or maybe you need to start taking some.

  Go away.

  Vic Moss