Aloft LAANC Authorization – How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

Aloft, formerly known as Kittyhawk, can be likened to a swiss army knife when it comes to drone operations and management.

Aloft uses a combination of mobile and desktop enterprise applications, security and compliance solutions, and AI to ensure that companies and solo drone operators alike fly safe and organized.

Founded in 2015, Aloft (then known as Kittyhawk) has grown to become the market leader in drone airspace systems, garnering over 50% of LAANC airspace authorizations to date.

Aloft also powers the FAA’s very own B4UFLY software.

We will guide you through the LAANC request process using the Aloft mobile app, going through the steps to make LAANC requests for both recreational flyers as well as Part 107 Commercial operators.

The steps covered in this article will be:

• Setting up an Aloft account via the iOS or Android app
• Logging into the Aloft Mobile App
• Creating a flight plan (as either a recreational flyer or Part 107 operator)
• Submitting the LAANC request

What is LAANC? #

LAANC, also known as Low Altitude Authorization Notification Capability, is important software used to automate the process of approving or, in some cases, denying drone operator requests to fly in protected Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E controlled airspace, in the US.

If you are wanting to fly either recreationally or as an FAA Certified Drone Operator in this airspace, getting LAANC authorization is a requirement.

Using the Aloft App #

To get started with Aloft, download the applicable app for your smartphone/device.

• Download Aloft for iOS
• Download Aloft for Android

Next, an account will need to be created. Although I have a business account, I will set up a personal account for this walkthrough.

Registering a New Account #

STEP 1 #

To register a new account, open the app and click on Register.

STEP 2 #

This will bring you to the registration information screen. Be sure to include all information requested.

STEP 3 #

Once all information has been entered and submitted, choose the appropriate usage, as seen below. In most cases, you’ll be signing up as Flying For Fun.

After making the appropriate choice, you will then be brought into the app’s main screen, the Preflight map view.

On your map, your location will show as a green pulsating circle. You can pinch to zoom to shrink or expand the map to see your surrounding area.

In the map below, you can see the airspace in the vicinity of where I was located when I opened the app.

Requesting LAANC (as a Recreational Flyer) #

STEP 1 #

On the bottom of the main screen, as was mentioned, you will be in the Preflight screen. To apply for LAANC authorization, press the +ADD button.

Once in the LAANC area, choose Request LAANC Authorization.

STEP 2 #

You will then be brought to the Map View. At this point, there are two ways to get to your destination.

• Option 1 – Pinch to zoom to see your immediate area, and then tap on the map where you want to place the general location of your pin. The blue circle is your current location, and the black pin is where the screen tap and drop occurred.

• Option 2, Step 1 – Tap the magnifying glass icon.

• Option 2, Step 2 – input the address or landmark you are wanting to fly, then choose it.

The drop pin will now be located in your desired location. Pinch to zoom in to the location. If you’d like to adjust the drop pin, simply tap on the screen, and it will be placed there.

As seen above, there is a 100 in bold black and white numbering. This denotes the maximum height that can be flown in this particular grid – 100ft.

Other areas within LAANC authorizations can range from 0 (yes, really), to the standard 400 ft, along the outer edges of an authorization zone.

STEP 3 #

To continue applying for this authorization, swipe up on the screen and choose Get Authorization.

You will then be asked what type of LAANC you want to request. Choose the applicable type.

For this step, we are choosing Recreational.

STEP 4 #

You will then be asked to verify your phone number. This is important as your authorizations or declines will be sent to the number you specify.

If this is your first time going through the LAANC process in Aloft, you will be asked to verify additional information. Press Continue.

Confirm or update your phone number.

After you input your phone number, you will be sent a verification number. Enter that now.

STEP 5 #

Once your phone number has been verified, continue the process by choosing Recreational Pilots: Press here to skip this step. This, in effect, allows you to request LAANC as a recreational pilot.

If you are flying commercially, as a Part 107, we will look into those steps as well, further into this article.

STEP 6 #

After continuing with the process, you will be asked to:

1. Define the height of your flight (in this case, up to 100ft). You can do this using the green slider below.
2. Define the perimeter of your flight. You can use the +arrowed sections of the flight-area square to set the exact size and shape.

After this has been completed, press Next.

STEP 7 #

The next step that is needed is defining when (the date) and how long the flight will last. When I went in, it defaulted to today’s date, for 2 hours. I suggest you put in a realistic timeframe, also allowing for drone setup.

I set the duration for 30 minutes by simply pressing Duration and choosing the appropriate timeframe.

Once defined, press Next.

On the Pre-Check results, you will see:

• Authoring Airport (where the LAANC approval comes from)
• Airspace Class
• Start and End Dates and Times
• Duration

As there are no issues with the request, this flight is eligible for Auto-approval. If there was an issue with the information (such as flight height or duration), there would be a message telling of the issue.

As we are good to go, simply press Next.

STEP 8 #

Agree to the terms and conditions and press Agree & Submit.

You will then receive your authorization on the mobile device number you initially set up.

As can be seen, the process is quick and painless for recreational flyers to request LAANC.

We will now walk through requesting LAANC under Part 107 commercial flight rules.

Requesting LAANC (as Part 107) #

Like with applying for LAANC as Recreational Flyers, requesting LAANC as a 107 Operator is fairly simple and follows many of the same steps.

STEP 1 #

As with the previously mentioned Recreational Flyers, to apply for LAANC authorization, press the +ADD button.

Once in the LAANC area, choose Request LAANC Authorization.

STEP 2 #

Tap the magnifying glass icon to search for a particular street address or public location.

Like with the previous example for Recreational Flyers, we will be choosing to shoot downtown, at Lake Eola Park.

The drop pin will now be located in your desired location. Pinch to zoom in to the location. If you’d like to adjust the drop pin, simply tap on the screen and it will be placed there.

As seen above, there is a 100 in bold black and white numbering. This denotes the maximum height that can be flown in this particular grid – 100ft.

Other areas within LAANC authorizations can range from 0 ft to the standard 400 ft, along the outer edges of an authorization zone.

STEP 3 #

To continue applying for this authorization, swipe up on the screen and choose Get Authorization.

You will then be asked what type of LAANC you want to request. Choose Part 107 Commercial.

STEP 4 #

You will then be prompted to Update your info to include your Part 107 Information.

Choose Update Info, then Continue.

Input your valid Part 107 License information.

The needed information will be on the physical hard copy of your license.

STEP 5 #

After you have entered your valid FAA Part 107 License information, you will be asked to:

1. Define the height of your flight (up to 100ft at this particular location). You can do this using the green slider below.
2. Define the perimeter of your flight. You can use the +arrowed sections of the flight-area square to set the exact size and shape.

After this has been completed, press Next.

STEP 6 #

The next step that is needed is defining when (the date) and how long the flight will last. It is suggested that you put in a realistic timeframe, one that would also allow for drone setup.

I set the duration for 30 minutes by simply pressing Duration and choosing the appropriate timeframe.

Once defined, press Next.

On the Pre-Check results, you will see:

• Authoring Airport (where the LAANC approval comes from)
• Airspace Class
• Start and End Dates and Times
• Duration

As there are no issues with the request, this flight is eligible for Auto-approval. If there was an issue with the information (such as flight height or duration), there would be a message telling of the issue.

As we are good to go, simply press Next.

STEP 7 #

Agree to the terms and conditions and press Agree & Submit.

You will then receive your authorization on the mobile device number you initially set up.

Like with Recreational Flyers, the process for Part 107 Operators is quick and painless.

Additional Aloft Information #

Earlier, I mentioned that the Aloft app is like a swiss army knife for the drone community. This is because, for hobbyists and Part 107 operators, it is not simply just a tool to request LAANC but also has a plethora of useful Flight Condition information contained therein, that, if not using Aloft, might have to be obtained through various drone apps (i.e., UAV Forcast).

Some of the flight condition information contained in Aloft is as follows:

• Weather Summary
• Wind w/ direction
• Wind Gusts
• Visibility
• Humidity
• Cloud Cover
• Sunrise
• KP Index
• GPS Signal Strength

This is all much-needed information, even for those new to flying or hobbyists, as weather conditions and the strength of GPS signals all play a role in how potentially safe a flight will be.

All in all, Aloft is a feature-rich mobile LAANC and Flight Information app that works well, has a user-friendly interface, and can quickly get you LAANC authorizations.