Interested Providers Encouraged to Apply by June 3

The FAA has announced the opening of applications to those interesting in joining Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC).

The agency will allow apps in order to join as approved LAANC service suppliers, allowing them to join the ranks of the drone industry. The program is a joint effort between the FAA and the unmanned industry as a whole that enables smoother, safer integration of remotely piloted and autonomous systems into the nation's airspace.

Suppliers help operators and pilots to obtain airspace authorizations through the FAA in order to operate in controlled airspace.

Since the start of the program in 2017, the system has expanded to include more than 540 air traffic facilities and cover the vicinity of more than 735 airports.

In February, the millionth airspace authorization was granted through the program, showing the extent and reach the program has found among drone operators. LAANC does not allow suppliers any regulatory authorization, however, only allowing them to act as something of a middleman between the agency's more granular, technical systems and the public at large.

Applications are accepted throughout the month of May, with submissions completed by the FAA during June.

Technical interviews for those that pass muster will occur sometime from mid-July to mid-August, with formal Onboarding for those accepted to be completed during August and October.

FMI: www.faa.gov