Don't let an empty sky fool you. The air above our heads is just as filled with restrictions and regulations as the ground we stand on. However, unlike on land, there are no clear and visible signs to follow up there. Regardless, pilots are responsible for not violating these invisible boundaries. In this article we'll go over restricted airspace in general, explain how you can learn where to legally go, and even how to (maybe) gain access to prohibited areas in real-time!
Now Not Entering the "No Drone Zone"
The term "No Drone Zone" is used by the FAA to describe where you cannot fly your drone. As the FAA governs the airspace in the United States, it's to that agency we look to understand flight zones and how to figure out if it's ok to fly where we want to. In a nutshell, the FAA splits up and governs airspace into six different classes: Class A, B, C, D, E, and G. While we won't go into each class's details here, the main thing to know is that you're likely going to be flying in Class G airspace, which is conveniently defined as anything not designated Class A-E.
Per Part 107 and the Recreational Flyer exemption, all drone flights are within Class G and can only be flown at or below 400' AGL (Above Ground Level). Above this 400' ceiling and in certain pockets within it, airspace is restricted. This could be because of a sensitive facility is nearby, like a military installation or airport, or a temporary event has to be avoided, such as a wildfire. Enter those zones and you can run into significant trouble, but how do you know where these zones are?
Where Can I Fly?
So, how exactly can you figure out if the empty air you're looking at is either good to fly in or a no-go. Thankfully, there's an app for that! FAA's B4UFLY service has approved compatible apps from third-party vendors that you can download to let you know if your desired airspace is clear for flying. They are compatible with desktops, iOS, and Android, so you can run them on a phone, tablet, or laptop. As of this writing, FAA-approved B4UFLY apps can be obtained from AutoPylot, Airspace Link, Aloft, Avision, and UASidekick.
These apps will display both the permanent and temporary prohibited airspace locations. The temporary restrictions are based on currently active TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) lists. As these events can happen suddenly, TFRs are updated in real-time within the apps' database, and can be accessed on the TFR list website.
Ask and You Might Receive
A helpful feature of each of these B4UFLY apps is that they are also approved for FAA's LAANC, which stands for Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. LAANC provides a host of features, but the one we're most concerned about is its ability to grant access to prohibited space at or below 400'.
Not every permanently blocked bit of airspace is off limits 24/7. If you really want to fly in an area you're technically not allowed in, you can use the LAANC feature to ask. Each of the B4UFLY apps let you submit your Remote Pilot Certificate number if flying under Part 107, or TRUST Certificate Authentication if flying under the Recreational Flyers exemption. With this info and additional flight parameters, the apps will either grant or deny you access in real-time.
When you're flying in public it's essential to do so safely and legally. We hope this article has helped you do just that; by explaining the restrictions that exist, how to identify them as a pilot, and even how to access restricted areas if needed. If you have a tip for fellow pilots regarding this topic, please leave them in the comments below.
