Latest generation of FAA's LAANC introduces authorizations for drone flights at night and refined airspace grids for Skyward customers

PORTLAND, Ore., October 20, 2021 - Skyward, A Verizon company, announced that the next generation of the FAA's Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is now live within the Skyward platform. The latest update introduces authorization requests for nighttime drone flights in controlled airspace, as well as refined airspace grids. Skyward customers can request automated and near real-time access to controlled airspace for any time of day, as well as request higher altitude LAANC authorizations in portions of controlled airspace.

The integration of LAANC Version 5.0 expands Skyward's position as a complete drone operations management solution designed to simplify flights and reduce operational risk. In addition to LAANC access to controlled airspace, the Skyward platform also includes 3D airspace intelligence, flight planning and logging, personnel and fleet management tools, 2D mapping, 3D modeling, live flight tracking, program insights and a newly-redesigned mobile app.

"The latest LAANC updates introduce highly-anticipated and critically important capabilities for today's drone pilots," said Mariah Scott, Executive Director of Verizon Robotics Business Technology. "We're proud to be among the select group of FAA-approved LAANC providers and expand on the support that's available to Skyward subscribers. This addition to the Skyward platform demonstrates our ongoing commitment to help customers see clearly, act intelligently and fly with confidence."

Today, Skyward is one of seven FAA-approved LAANC UAS Service Suppliers providing public services, having completed the technical steps required for the partnership. As an approved LAANC provider, Skyward offers drone pilots fast and easy access to controlled airspace via the Skyward platform. Skyward users can receive a response just seconds after submitting a request.

This next generation of LAANC is available on the Skyward web platform as well as the Skyward InFlight mobile app for iOS and Android, offering users the chance to request airspace access and view authorization documents in the office or the field.

In addition to integrating the latest LAANC updates, the Skyward InFlight mobile app has also been revamped from the ground up. With the all-new design, three individual navigation tabs — Home, Map and Flight — create a seamless experience for drone pilots from onsite planning to final result. Plus, with a new preflight status bar designed to help users quickly evaluate concerns and take action, field operations are simpler and more intuitive than ever before.