** Disclaimer -This article describes the process we followed to obtain approval and is based on our personal experience. We do not guarantee or imply that the same process or outcome will apply in all cases. Please be aware that requirements may vary depending on the location, airport, or specific circumstances. Always check with the relevant authorities or organizations for the most up-to-date and location-specific information before proceeding with your own application.**
Our client, the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, recently asked if we could fly our drone at their Phoenix location to capture shots of their building at sunset. Before agreeing, we checked the campus address and discovered it was located in downtown Phoenix, within the Sky Harbor Class B airspace.
Flying a drone in Class B airspace is allowed, provided you or your pilot hold a Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot license. However, there is a procedure to follow, and you must secure proper clearance before flying in this restricted airspace.
Note: All drones registered with the FAA have Remote ID, which continuously broadcasts and records your drone’s position and identification. If you’re breaking the law, there will be instant proof of your violation.
We couldn’t find a clear step-by-step guide for obtaining clearance in Class B airspace, so we created one!
Understanding Class B Airspace
Class B airspace is designated around the busiest airports in the country, so there are several steps you’ll need to follow.
1. Acquire Your Pre-Flight Checklist via Airhub Portal
- Download the Airhub Portal app and create an account.
- Search for your flight location: Tap the Discover tab at the bottom of the screen and enter the address of the location where you plan to fly. Click through the images below to see the process.
- Check the warnings: Tap the caution icon in the bottom right corner of the app to generate a list of steps you must take before flying. For us, this meant refraining from flying during a Diamondback’s game and obtaining approval from the FAA and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
2. Apply for FAA Clearance via the Airhub Portal
- Get FAA approval: In the Airhub Portal app, tap the Get LAANC button to begin the approval process. LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) handles a lot of the work for you.
- Enter required flight details: After clicking the Get LAANC button, you’ll be prompted to provide relevant flight information. You’ll then need to wait for approval. For us, this took about 36 hours.
- Pro Tip: You can request clearance up to 90 days in advance. We submitted our request about a month ahead of time.
3. Apply for Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearance
Once you receive FAA approval, you’ll get an email with further instructions, including the reference to Title 14 CFR Part 107.41. This regulation specifies that you cannot operate in Class B airspace without additional approval from Air Traffic Control (ATC). We provided our email below as a cross-reference.
- Contact ATC: Start by calling the relevant ATC office to request clearance. We called the day before our flight, but we recommend calling at least 2-3 days prior to familiarize yourself with the process and to get a direct contact number. This will save you time and effort. We ended up being transferred two separate times.
- Pro Tip: We reached out to our friend Trevor, a helicopter pilot, for advice. He recommended two websites for locating ATC contact information: airnav.com and skyvector.com.
4. Comply with 14 CFR 107.29(a) and Get Client Clearance
The FAA email also references compliance with 14 CFR 107.49(a), which mandates that you obtain client approval if applicable. This information will not be available in the Airhub Portal, so you’ll need to check with your client to see if you need additional clearance from their company.
For our flight, we needed additional clearance from the University of Arizona to fly and record around their buildings. This involved contacting their Risk Management Services and following their procedures. We began this process at least two weeks before the flight, as their requirements included aircraft certification, pilot identification, and proof of flight insurance.
5. Additional Day-of-Flight Information
- Print and keep your approvals: Bring all of your FAA and ATC approvals with you on the day of the flight.
- Stay reachable: The airport may need to contact you during your flight, so keep your phone on hand, as noted in the FAA email.
- Have a visual observer: Since you’re flying in busy airspace, it’s crucial to have a visual observer on-site to monitor both the drone and the surrounding airspace. We also used walkie-talkies on set to improve communication.
- Note: Our DJI Mavic 3 drone app wouldn’t allow us to take off without confirming that we had proper clearance, so be sure to factor this into your timeline.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to our team to get everything right. Although there were numerous steps to complete and phone calls to make, the confidence we gained from knowing we were following all the regulations made a big difference. When it was time to fly, we were inspired to capture great shots and more, knowing we were fully compliant.
We were rewarded with an amazing sunset and fantastic camera angles. We hope this guide proves helpful for anyone wanting to fly in Class B airspace.
If you have any questions regarding flying drones, contact us!