The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 3rd Annual Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Symposium opened Tuesday in Baltimore, with Acting Administrator Dan Elwell announcing that the FAA will expand its Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) tests.
Test results will eventually provide near real-time processing of airspace authorization requests for UAS operators. Real-time processing means the wait time for authorization is drastically decreased.
UAS operators are required to receive FAA approval to operate in any airspace controlled by an air traffic facility. In November, the FAA launched LAANC to evaluate the feasibility of a fully automated, data sharing solution.
LAANC uses UAS facility maps that show the maximum altitude around an airport. Drone operators can interact with the maps and provide automated authorization requests.
LAANC was initially launched at several air traffic facilities; beta testing will be nationwide.
The expanded testing will begin April 30 and run through Sept. 13. LAANC will be expanded gradually and when completed, will incorporate nearly 300 air traffic facilities covering approximately 500 airports.
Also in April, the FAA will begin accepting applications for companies that want to provide LAANC services. The application deadline is May 16.
There currently are four service providers – AirMap, Project Wing, Rockwell Collins, and Skyward.