https://youtu.be/GeaJW11dHUg?t=4918
Image: FAA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=simXZyk6xXs
A NOTAM is a notice containing information that is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations but that is not known far enough in advance to be publicized by other means. The FAA publishes all NOTAMs (here).
Thing like runway maintenance, special operations in the area, obstructions relevant to manned aviation, and similar can all be NOTAMs. Here’s a Crane Obstruction NOTAM at KDVT airport:
Sometimes a NOTAM turns into a TFR, restricting flight in certain areas.
Before the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona, a NOTAM went out that turned into a TFR, restricting flight in a 30 Nautical Mile radius around the stadium.
Ongoing emergency response areas like fires will also have TFRs.
Massive Superbowl TFR in 2023.
Your LAANC app (discussed later) will generally display airspace restrictions in your area of operations.
The FAA maintains and displays their highly detailed UAS Data Exchange information on an ArcGIS map, listing controlled airspaces, special use airspaces and other details at a glance.
Can be found (here).
Image: FAA
Free website that can help you rapidly identify TFRs and DROTAMs (Drone Notices to Airmen).
In the screen navigation, click World VFR, then click Layers, then make sure TFRs and DROTAMs are turned on. Hovering your mouse over the Red TFR circles or Purple DROTAM circles for more information. www.skyvector.com
More info on using SkyVector to find Special Use Airspace (here) and TFRs (here).
TFR shown is active from SFC (Surface) to 10,00ft AGL. | Image: Skyvector
LAANC is a system that allows real-time approvals for sUAS flights in Controlled Airspace.
It replaces the lengthy (up to 90 day) paper-process previously required.
sUAS Operators will learn about LAANC naturally during pursuit of the FAA TRUST exam or FAA Part 107 Certificate. The FAA maintains an information page on LAANC (here).
<aside> ⚠️ If the Controlled Airspace you need does not participate in LAANC, you must work directly with CAP HQ to make arrangements. Reach out to CAP HQ through your Wing’s DOU.
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Image: FAA
The FAA maintains a list of approved LAANC providers on their website. This list is subject to change as providers move in and out of the space. Be judicious when choosing from this list since not all of them are free, and some are not allowed for CAP operations (Aloft Air Control).
Airspace Link provides the free “AirHub Portal” as a standalone LAANC service you can sign up for on PC or Mobile. The AirHub Portal has also been integrated into the Drone Deploy mission planning interface, so your flight plan boundaries and other mission information will automatically populate inside the AirHub Portal when you transition over to it for a LAANC request. This can be a convenient streamlined solution if you use Drone Deploy often.
OpenSky is part of Google’s “Wing” company. Their legal team cleared CAP’s free use of OpenSky for internal training and missions for customers. This app is a great addition to the toolkit and is easy to use.
<aside> 💡 OpenSky is also the name of a credit card service; do not use that app! Go to https://wing.com/opensky/ for more information on the LAANC app.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODF6A1qEV-M
Aloft’s Air Control no longer allows Free LAANC submissions for Government and Commercial Customers. Do not use Aloft Air Control under any circumstances for CAP Operations.