B4UFLY, collaborative initiative between the FAA and industry pioneers to improve the safety of drone operations, shows where recreational flyers can and cannot fly.
Airspace Link Inc., an FAA-approved unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or Drone service supplier and Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) provider, has received approval to offer the FAA’s B4UFLY service.
B4UFLY is a collaborative initiative between the FAA and industry pioneers, including Airspace Link, designed to enhance the safety of drone operations. This program provides both recreational and commercial drone pilots with customised safety information and heightened airspace awareness to ensure secure flying practices. The B4UFLY service shows where recreational flyers can and cannot fly.
The functionalities of B4UFLY are accessible via Airspace Link’s AirHub Portal, enabling drone pilots to easily understand and comply with regulatory requirements for drone operations in controlled airspace under 400 feet. This integration offers a guide on safe flying, interactive maps filled with critical data, insights into both controlled and uncontrolled airspace, and direct access to various FAA drone resources and regulatory details.
Transitioning from a standalone application, B4UFLY’s essential features are now incorporated into platforms like the AirHub Portal, further empowering recreational flyers with the necessary tools and information for safely navigating the national airspace system.
In 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated a partnership with Aloft (formerly known as Kittyhawk) to revamp the B4UFLY app, which has since undergone multiple updates and handled the bulk of LAANC requests. Aloft has recently partnered with Pilot Institute to offer an independent airspace awareness app.
Airspace Link aims to facilitate the safe integration of drones into national airspace and communities at a large scale through digital infrastructure, strategic alliances, thought leadership, and a diverse community of pilots.
