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Airspace authorization and LAANC for Part 107 pilots

Last updated 2026-11-12 · Published by Certloom Learning · Sources

You need prior ATC authorization to fly in Class B, C or D airspace or inside the lateral boundaries of a Class E surface area designated for an airport (14 CFR 107.41). LAANC is the automated way to get it at participating airports, up to the altitudes on the FAA UAS Facility Maps.

Where is authorization required?

AirspaceATC authorization for a Part 107 flight?
Class BYes
Class CYes
Class DYes
Class E surface area for an airportYes
Class E starting at 700 or 1,200 ft AGL, below that floorNo, the airspace below is Class G
Class GNo

Sources (checked 2026-11-12): 14 CFR 107.41 (eCFR); FAA: Part 107 Airspace Authorizations.

What is LAANC?

The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability is a collaboration between the FAA and approved industry providers that automates requests for the authorization in 107.41. It gives near-real-time approval at participating airports up to the maximum altitudes on UAS Facility Maps. It does not waive the 400 ft limit in 107.51, and it does not cover restricted areas, which need permission from the controlling or using agency under 107.45.

Sources (checked 2026-11-12): FAA: UAS Data Exchange (LAANC).

What if LAANC is not available?

Request an airspace authorization through the FAA process and allow time: the FAA says processing has historically taken up to eight weeks. See waivers and authorizations.

Does my certificate cover controlled airspace?

No. The certificate lets you act as remote pilot in command, but access to Class B, C, D and surface-area Class E needs separate prior authorization.

How do I know which airspace I am in?

Read the sectional chart, use the FAA UAS Facility Maps and a B4UFLY-style tool, and check Class E depiction carefully. See airspace classes on the chart.

Free practice questions on this topic

5 original questions from the Sectional Cue bank. Try each one, then open the answer.

LAANC
1. What does LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) provide to a remote pilot?

  1. Near-real-time ATC authorization for controlled airspace at participating airports, up to the altitudes shown on UAS Facility Maps
  2. Permission to fly in restricted areas when the controlling agency is closed
  3. A waiver of the 400 ft altitude limit for flights near airports
Show answer and explanation

A. Near-real-time ATC authorization for controlled airspace at participating airports, up to the altitudes shown on UAS Facility Maps

LAANC is an automated way to obtain the prior ATC authorization required by 107.41. It does not waive 107.51; relief from the altitude limit takes a certificate of waiver under 107.205. Restricted areas need permission from the using or controlling agency under 107.45, which LAANC does not provide.

Source: 14 CFR 107.41

Class G authorization
2. A farmer plans to fly over a field at 300 ft AGL in Class G airspace. What ATC permission is required?

  1. A LAANC authorization
  2. A Certificate of Waiver
  3. None, because Class G does not require ATC authorization
Show answer and explanation

C. None, because Class G does not require ATC authorization

Class G is uncontrolled airspace, and 14 CFR 107.41 does not require ATC authorization there. LAANC is used for authorization in controlled airspace near airports. A waiver is only needed to deviate from a waivable Part 107 rule, not to fly in Class G.

Source: 14 CFR 107.41; AIM 3-3-1

Identifying airspace
3. Besides a current aeronautical chart, which tool does AC 107-2A mention to help a remote pilot identify the airspace at a planned site?

  1. The FAA Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA)
  2. The B4UFLY app
  3. The FAA aircraft registry
Show answer and explanation

B. The B4UFLY app

AC 107-2A mentions the B4UFLY app and current aeronautical charts as aids for determining the type of airspace. IACRA is used to apply for airman certificates. The aircraft registry handles registration records, not airspace.

Source: AC 107-2A, para 5.10.4

Limits of the certificate
4. What does a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating NOT authorize by itself?

  1. Flight in Class B, C or D airspace or a Class E surface area without ATC authorization
  2. Acting as remote PIC of a small UAS under Part 107
  3. Supervising another person who manipulates the controls
Show answer and explanation

A. Flight in Class B, C or D airspace or a Class E surface area without ATC authorization

The certificate lets the holder act as remote PIC under 107.12 and supervise a person manipulating the controls under 107.12(a)(2), as long as recurrent training is current. It does not grant access to controlled airspace; that requires separate prior ATC authorization under 107.41.

Source: 14 CFR 107.12; 14 CFR 107.41

Class E 700 ft floor
5. In Figure 26, area 2 lies inside the shaded magenta ring around Cooperstown. What airspace is there from the surface up to 700 ft AGL? (uses Figure 26, open the free chart lesson)

  1. Class E from the surface, because the airport has an AWOS
  2. Class D up to 700 ft AGL around Cooperstown
  3. Class G, with Class E beginning at 700 ft AGL
Show answer and explanation

C. Class G, with Class E beginning at 700 ft AGL

A faded magenta ring means Class E begins at 700 ft AGL inside it, so the airspace below is Class G and a 400 ft AGL flight needs no ATC authorization. A Class E surface area would be drawn with a dashed magenta line, and an AWOS does not create one. Class D needs a control tower and a dashed blue line, neither of which is shown.

Source: FAA-CT-8080-2H, Figure 26; Chart Users' Guide; 14 CFR 107.41

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Sources

How this page was made: written by Certloom Learning from the sources above, with the rules checked against the current regulation text. Practice items are original questions from the app's reviewed bank. Spot an error? certloomlearning@gmail.com.