The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently announced its nationwide expansion of its automated airspace approval system, the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), and that it will be taking applications for new unmanned aerial systems service suppliers (USS) to provide LAANC services to the public. Last week, the FAA issued a notice of “important information for applicants,” including information about what data streams applicants must use (available here) and advising that applicants should sign up for LAANC-related updates because LAANC is in its test phase, meaning prospective applicants should expect changes to the application process and requirements.

The FAA advises that potential USS candidates should have a mature product, or at least the capability to develop one, before LAANC onboarding, and should carefully review other application requirements such as providing information about how their system will accurately process airspace requests and correctly reflect regulatory and airspace requirements. Applications are due by May 6, 2018.