New Drone Waivers

For personal attention: Call or email:  [email protected]  212-219-1075 and 917-414-5489

Step 2A – Operational (Non-Airspace) Requests

If you want a non-airspace waiver — for example, to fly at night or over people — you will need to apply for a Part 107 waiver.

This form limits responses to 35,000 characters (see character counters in the form). Instructions for submitting additional safety information are below (Step 4).

Part 107 Waiver Application Instructions (PDF) — explains how to fill out this form.

Waiver Safety Explanation Guidelines — explains what to include in the “Waiver safety explanation” field.

Step 2B – Controlled Airspace Requests

If you want to fly in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface area E), you will need to apply for an airspace authorization or airspace waiver.

Airspace Authorization: This is the most direct and efficient way to request access to controlled airspace. Authorizations can be for a specific location or for broad areas governed by a single ATC jurisdiction, thus accommodating the vast majority of requests for airspace access under § 107.41. An airspace authorization is the mechanism under which a proponent may seek ATC approval for their operation (please do not contact the facility directly).

Note 1: If you are interested in participating in the LAANC initial prototype evaluation, please see FAA UAS Data Exchange for a list of approved partners and locations where the LAANC evaluation is being conducted.

Note 2: If you obtain approval of your authorization request through a LAANC service supplier, please notify the FAA by emailing [email protected] so we can remove your non-LAANC application from our queue. If you have any issues with LAANC, please contact the service supplier directly.

Airspace Waiver: May be issued when the proponent can demonstrate that their UAS can operate safely in controlled airspace without having to seek prior ATC authorization. Applicants for this waiver should demonstrate safety mitigations through equipage, technology and/or other operational parameters in accordance with § 107.200. Processing times for airspace waivers are significantly longer compared to airspace authorizations and require additional safety justification.

Request to Operate in Controlled Airspace Form Instructions (PDF) — explains how to fill out this form.

Note: If you intend to use a non-airspace Part 107 waiver in controlled airspace (for example, night operations in Class B airspace), you should obtain your non-airspace waiver prior to requesting an airspace authorization or airspace waiver.

Step 3 – Submit Your Application

When you have verified that your application includes all the necessary information (refer to the Waiver Safety Explanation Guidelines), submit your application. You cannot print a PDF of your application after you submit this form.

For operational waiver requests, you will receive an email from [email protected] when your application has been assigned a waiver tracking number.

For airspace authorization or waiver requests, you will receive an email from [email protected] when your application has been assigned a tracking number.

Step 4 – Submit Additional and/or Proprietary Information (Optional)

For non-airspace Part 107 waiver requests, you may submit additional information to support your waiver application.

You will receive an email from [email protected] when your application has been assigned a waiver tracking number. The email will contain your waiver tracking number, as well as instructions for submitting additional waiver safety information, including attachments, to the FAA within a specified period of time.

If you want to submit proprietary or commercially valuable information that should not be disclosed to the public, include annotations on each page and/or electronic file. The FAA will evaluate the records and may not disclose them if they are exempt from public disclosure under Title 5 of U.S. Code § 552(b).

In describing your proposed operation, please refrain from including any information that could identify any person other than yourself.

Step 5 – FAA Decision

Depending on the complexity of your request, the FAA may request additional information and supporting documentation from you during the evaluation process.

Operational Waiver Requests

If additional information is required, the Responsible Person listed on your waiver application will receive an email from [email protected] with questions to answer, instructions for responding to the request, and a time limit for responding.

Airspace Waiver Requests

If additional information is required, the Responsible Person listed on your waiver application will receive an email from [email protected].

Note: If the Responsible Person does not respond to the request for additional information within the specified time window, the FAA will stop processing your waiver application and notify you that your request has been closed. Please ensure the Responsible Person contact information provided in your application is correct.

The FAA will notify the Responsible Person listed on your waiver application when your request is approved or disapproved. Common reasons for denial or disapproval include incomplete information, failure to respond to requests for additional information, or lack of adequate safety explanation.

Step 6 – Publication and Help

All non-airspace Part 107 waivers are published on FAA‘s Part 107 Waivers Granted webpage.

Read the Paperwork Reduction Act and Privacy Act Statements (PDF) to learn more.

Questions? Email us at [email protected].