Kittyhawk authorization, does selecting Recreational or Part 107 Commercial make any difference?

[scubaddictions]

As the subject line says: when using Kittyhawk the first thing that pops up when requesting authorization is whether I'm flying commercially or recreationally. Selecting either doesn't seem to have any affect on follow-up questions. Any notion why the question exists? Is there some expectation that a Part 107 holder might be more likely to be approved for a request due to greater training? I have no intention to make a request with fraudulent information, (and I am Part 107 certified) just curious why it requests that info.

Also, comparing Kittyhawk to Airmap. I know, I know, I try not to use Airmap but I keep it as a backup in case Kittyhawk is broken. Airmap doesn't ask about the commercial/recreational nature of the flight. Also, I have two different drones saved in both apps. When requesting authorization in Airmap it requests you choose the drone used on that request, and the drone's weight. Kittyhawk doesn't ask. Any idea why/why not?

Thanks!

 

[Vic Moss]

When it comes to airspace authorization in the U.S. (you don't mention where you're from), both 107 and recreational have the same rules when it comes to LAANC requests.

It may be different in other countries that are serviced by Kittyhawk.

Recreational vs. 107 rules for controlled airspace used to be different. Not any more.

 

[Deleted member 114292]

When it comes to airspace authorization in the U.S. (you don't mention where you're from), both 107 and recreational have the same rules when it comes to LAANC requests.

It may be different in other countries that are serviced by Kittyhawk.

Recreational vs. 107 rules for controlled airspace used to be different. Not any more.

I don’t think non-107 Pilots can I ask for an auth Above the designated height.
If it’s a zero you’re not going to get it.

 

[scubaddictions]

When it comes to airspace authorization in the U.S. (you don't mention where you're from), both 107 and recreational have the same rules when it comes to LAANC requests.

It may be different in other countries that are serviced by Kittyhawk.

Recreational vs. 107 rules for controlled airspace used to be different. Not any more.

Good point, I just updated my location. I'm in Hawaii.

Sounds like the question in Kittyhawk is just vestigial.

Thanks!

 

[scubaddictions]

I don’t think non-107 Pilots can I ask for an auth Above the designated height.
If it’s a zero you’re not going to get it.

I'm guessing you're referring to authorizations acquired via DroneZone rather than through LAANC, correct?

 

[Deleted member 114292]

I'm guessing you're referring to authorizations acquired via DroneZone rather than through LAANC, correct?

Well you can do that via LANNAC but it is not instant. The FAA told me that for above altitude requests get run by the airport, at the one I was asking for.
But yes dronezone or otherwise.

 

[Thomas B]

Well you can do that via LANNAC but it is not instant. The FAA told me that for above altitude requests get run by the airport, at the one I was asking for.
But yes dronezone or otherwise.

?

 

[scubaddictions]

Well you can do that via LANNAC but it is not instant. The FAA told me that for above altitude requests get run by the airport, at the one I was asking for.
But yes dronezone or otherwise.

Interesting. I had been led to believe that LAANC will always decline above-altitude requests. I'd imagine it depends a lot on the airport and the tower staff.

 

[Thomas B]

I do not believe that contacting airport tower is considered proper since the newer LAANC updates.

 

[Deleted member 114292]

?

In my case it was a 0 zone airmap told me upto 72 hours but since it was Saturday and the guy at VBR does not work weekends I had to go to dronezone, because the site was 1hr away and I was not going back till I had the auth.
The FAA rep called me and during our convo she told that at VBR the have to run it by ATC.
Not sure if that applies to all above set altitude requests or just 0's or not. My local airport SUA just got LANNAC and I have not had a chance to play with it.

 

[Deleted member 114292]

I do not believe that contacting airport tower is considered proper since the newer LAANC updates.

The FAA contacts them not you.

 

[Vic Moss]

I don’t think non-107 Pilots can I ask for an auth Above the designated height.
If it’s a zero you’re not going to get it.

You're correct. Hobbyists are restricted to only to the published AGLs, and only during daylight hours in controlled airspace. I was being more general, and your post is more detailed. I should have been more detailed too.

Thanks for posting a clarification.

 

[Vic Moss]

I do not believe that contacting airport tower is considered proper since the newer LAANC updates.

Contacting towers for permission is no longer allowed at all. Some small airports still provide approvals, but it's against procedure.

However, I do suggest to people that they contact ATC managers when they're going to apply for an approval outside UASFM limits. They should simply explain they're getting ready to apply for a 107.41 via Drone Zone, or a manual LAANC request via a LAANC supplier. Ask them what safety mitigations they'd like to see and if it's okay if you give them a heads up when you put in your official application.

Make it clear from the start that you are not asking them for permission, just asking for their recommended safety mitigations in order to make everyone's job easier once the official request comes in.

 

[DougMcC]

Contacting towers for permission is no longer allowed at all. Some small airports still provide approvals, but it's against procedure.

However, I do suggest to people that they contact ATC managers when they're going to apply for an approval outside UASFM limits. They should simply explain they're getting ready to apply for a 107.41 via Drone Zone, or a manual LAANC request via a LAANC supplier. Ask them what safety mitigations they'd like to see and if it's okay if you give them a heads up when you put in your official application.

Make it clear from the start that you are not asking them for permission, just asking for their recommended safety mitigations in order to make everyone's job easier once the official request comes in.

Now that is a great idea for a 107 project for our church at dusk coming up in January . Last year it took the FAA 40 days to issue a waiver to fly for 30 min after dusk at the event. I just wanted aerial shots at 100 ft AGL 4.5 miles from a control tower. The pending LAANC altitude was 400 feet but not yet activated.

 

[scubaddictions]

I know Vic posted a few weeks ago that they added 133 facilities to LAANC recently, might be worth checking if your local airport is one that received the upgrade.

 

[DougMcC]

I know Vic posted a few weeks ago that they added 133 facilities to LAANC recently, might be worth checking if your local airport is one that received the upgrade.

Thanks I’ll check out Redding RDD and see if it is alive now