facilities – are up and running on LAANC. As of June 1, 7,699 part 107 requests for
authorization have been approved via the LAANC system. To see when LAANC will be
rolling out at your facility, visit:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/uas_data_exchange/
As a reminder, the initial version of LAANC will simply replace the manual process in
which authorizations are approved. The tool itself will be used solely by staff
support/management during the initial phase and will automate the current UAS
authorization process for Part 107 proponents.
The Agency is working with several industry partners who will provide this service to the
various UAS proponents. The Agency will provide UAS facility map data to the industry
partners. The partners will, in turn, develop tools that will provide authorization and
notification services to the proponents, on a real-time basis, based on the UAS facility
map data. The authorizations and notifications will be instantly transmitted back to the
facility for which the authorization/notification was made.
Should you be asked for a list of the industry partners who are authorized UAS Service
Suppliers for LAANC, refer those inquiries to:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/uas_data_exchange/
On that page, you will a section titled, Approved LAANC UAS Service Supplies. In that
section there are hyperlinks to the approved UAS Service Suppliers. There are currently
two approved suppliers, but more are expected to be added once they've completed the
MOU process with the FAA and demonstrate that their system meets the LAANC
requirements.
NASA NO-CHASE FLIGHT
The NASA Ikhana UAS aircraft
(https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-097-DFRC.html), after
resolving some internal programmatic issue, will be making the first flight in unrestricted
NAS airspace during the month of June, using on-board Detect and Avoid (DAA)
equipment. The use of on-board DAA will allow the Ikhana to comply with the
requirement to "see and avoid" (FAR 91.113) other aircraft. This flight will be conducted
in California (JCF, ZLA and ZOA airspace).
As background, all aircraft are required by FAR 91.113 to "see and avoid" other aircraft.
On manned aircraft, this is accomplished by the pilot looking out the cockpit window.
There isn't a pilot onboard an unmanned aircraft, so UAS operators are required to
provide an alternate means of complying with FAR 91.113. This can be accomplished by
using visual observers, chase planes, ground-based detect and avoid systems, or a
combination of these alternatives. Each of these alternate means of compliance has
complications and limitations.
This is an historic flight and a large step forward towards full UAS integration into the
NAS. There have been a lot of starts and stops with this program, short notice calls and
flight schedules. We want to thank the controllers and staff at ZLA, ZOA, and JCF for
their willingness to lean in and roll with the changes in order to make this historic flight
happen.
PRESIDENTIAL UAS INTEGRATION PILOT PROGRAM (IPP)
