Airbus UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) is pleased to announce DroneDeploy, the leading drone software company, has integrated with Airbus UTM to offer airspace authorization and flight briefings for commercial drone pilots. The integration is an important milestone in Airbus UTM’s charter to provide digital traffic services for the evolving aviation ecosystem. Airbus UTM has integrated its flight briefing service and Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) authorization service with DroneDeploy, providing a more seamless experience for commercial drone pilots to plan, review, conduct their flights, and unlock controlled airspace near airports.

The integration with DroneDeploy, which leverages five decades of Airbus’ air traffic management experience and operational data, signifies a step forward for commercial drone airspace solutions and the establishment of rules to operate safely.

Chief among the benefits of the integration are the speed at which DroneDeploy pilots can now secure digital flight authorization and an ensured level of safety. Pilots have historically relied on a manual approach to obtain flight approval, current weather reports, and knowledge of relevant regulations. Now, pilots leveraging Airbus’ streamlined flight briefing and LAANC authorization services will have access to that data and more, including their pre-flight Airbus safety briefing, via DroneDeploy.

This direct integration of flight management, safety, and regulatory compliance services is now available to all DroneDeploy users.

“DroneDeploy and Airbus UTM believe that our skies should be accessible and efficient for all. We are excited to partner with Airbus UTM to offer airspace evaluation and LAANC authorization to our users. DroneDeploy pilots will be able to plan and schedule flight operations ahead of time and apply for LAANC authorization with Airbus UTM,” said Eric Hauser, VP of Engineering, DroneDeploy.

"At Airbus UTM, ensuring our future airspace remains as safe tomorrow as it is today is at the core of everything we do. That’s why we’re excited to partner with DroneDeploy to simplify the way drone pilots obtain the airspace information they need to ensure safe, efficient, and repeatable operations. By integrating our services directly into the DroneDeploy platform, pilots can seamlessly access preflight safety briefings, digital flight authorizations and compliance data within seconds, all within the same application," said Joe Polastre, Head of UTM Product at Airbus.

When a commercial drone pilot plans a flight with DroneDeploy, Airbus UTM will assess airspace safety and regulations, determine whether or not LAANC authorization is required, and obtain LAANC authorization where available to unlock controlled airspace. This seamless integration of flight management, safety, and regulatory compliance services helps ensure safe and efficient commercial drone operation in all airspaces.

Due to the increasing number of requests to operate drones in controlled airspace near airports, regulations are continually evolving and require a service such as Airbus UTM to navigate the regulations, inform pilots, unlock airspace, ensure controlled airspace safety, and gradually evolve drone operations and authorizations to an unmanned traffic management (UTM) model.

LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, a collaboration between the FAA and industry that directly supports UAS integration into the airspace. LAANC provides drone pilots with access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet and air traffic professionals with visibility into where and when drones are operating. Through the UAS Data Exchange, LAANC facilitates the sharing of airspace data between the FAA and companies approved by the FAA such as Airbus UTM to provide LAANC services.

Airbus UTM and DroneDeploy are proud to improve commercial drone safety, support increasing use of commercial drones, and pave the way to unmanned traffic management with this integration.