The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a system for commercial drone operators to get instant authorization for low altitude use.
Drone operators can use Skyward, the Verizon-owned drone operations management platform, to secure permission for flights in controlled airspace. Authorization will be granted through the FAA's Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) services beginning this fall.
The first airports to use the system will be in Cincinnati; Reno, Nevada; San Jose, Calif.; and Lincoln, Neb. Under the current system drone operators have to wait 60 to 90 days for approval.
The new automated system will provide instantaneous approval. The construction industry is expected to be a major user of the new process.
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