Three Airspace Mistakes Drone Pilots Make
By Rebekah Waters, FAA Safety Briefing Magazine
Most people use Waze or Google Maps to check for traffic or road closures, even along familiar routes. It’s gotten hard to imagine driving anywhere without this knowledge. Flying a drone without some basic airspace knowledge is kind of like driving without knowing the route or other factors that could impact your journey. Yet, drone pilots of every type continue to struggle with the topic of airspace. For example, questions about airspace remain the most consistently missed questions on the Part 107 knowledge test, and airspace violations are the most common enforcement actions taken against drone pilots. Here are three common airspace mistakes and information to help you avoid them.
1. Not Understanding Airspace
All airspace is regulated. FAA rules apply to both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. Controlled airspace is usually found around airports with air traffic control (ATC) towers and locations and altitudes where ATC directs traffic, ensuring separation and safety. Remember, regardless of where you fly, the FAA regulates the airspace from the ground up.
In the United States, airspace is divided into six classes. The five classes of airspace important to drone pilots are Class B, C, D, E, and G. The first four classes are controlled, meaning you’ll need an airspace authorization before flying in them. Class G is uncontrolled airspace where you may generally fly your drone at or below 400 feet above ground level (AGL). Understanding airspace keeps you from accidentally flying where you shouldn’t. Check out this FAA playlist on YouTube about understanding the National Airspace System (NAS).
2. Not Using Airspace Tools
With an improved understanding of airspace, you should know where you can and can’t fly. The sky, however, doesn’t have “yield” or “do not enter” signs to make it obvious. Luckily, there are airspace tools that can help drone pilots with this.
B4UFLY (an FAA service) shows drone pilots where they can and can’t fly or if an airspace authorization may be needed. FAA-approved companies provide this service through desktop and mobile apps. These apps provide situational awareness and links to other FAA drone resources.
FAA Sectional Charts show airport locations and frequencies, airspace boundaries, and other navigational information. If you’re planning to fly under Part 107, you’ll need to know how to read these charts.
UAS Facility Maps are a must-have when planning a flight in controlled airspace. Before submitting your airspace authorization request, consult these maps to determine locations and maximum altitudes where operations can be approved quickly. Remember, you’ll still need an airspace authorization, even if flying below a maximum altitude.
3. Not Applying for Airspace Authorizations
Drone pilots planning to fly in controlled airspace must get authorization from the FAA. There are two ways to apply for an airspace authorization: the FAA’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), which can be found in any B4UFLY app, and through the FAADroneZone. In LAANC-enabled areas, applications can be processed in near-real-time. Some applications may take slightly longer to process, but LAANC is the fastest way to receive airspace authorizations. The FAADroneZone provides authorizations for airports that are not LAANC-enabled, but requests should be submitted at least 60 days before your proposed flight. To ensure faster processing, only apply for an authorization at or below maximum altitudes on the UAS Facility Maps. Check out “The Fast Pass for Drones,” FAA Safety Briefing, May/Jun 2025 for more information about LAANC and Drone Zone.
If you’re flying outdoors, no matter how low or far you are from a city or an airport, you must understand and comply with all FAA regulations. Understanding airspace and how to operate safely in it is the foundation of all safe drone flights.
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Rebekah Waters is an FAA Safety Briefing associate editor. She is a technical writer-editor in the FAA’s Flight Standards Service.
