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ASRS 2280494

ACN 2280494 · 2025-08 · Small UAS (At or above 0.55 lbs and less than 55 lbs)

Part 107 UAS pilot reported flying in controlled airspace for a minute before the LAANC authorization was in effect.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Reports CruiseHovering (UAS)Part 107

Pilot narrative

Verbatim, de-identified by NASA. Placeholders: ZZZ, X, Y.

While flying my Small UAS in Columbia Falls, MT, I took off before my authorization to fly in Class D airspace took effect. This was a result of my not understanding that after obtaining automatic authorization to take off in the LAANC app, it takes several minutes for the authorization to completely take effect. I used an authorized third-party LAANC provider and received clearance to fly prior to takeoff. The LAANC Flightready App informed me that my flight had been approved, but it wasn't until after the flight that I realized that there was a delay and that I had taken off at least a minute before my approved time. The problem was caused by my not being familiar with the LAANC provider app. In the future, I will always double-check the start and end of the time window I have been authorized to fly.

NASA classification · Anomalies

  • Airspace Violation
  • Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural

NASA classification · Assessments

Contributing Factors / Situations
Human Factors · Software and Automation
Primary Problem
Human Factors

ASRS reports are voluntary, de-identified by NASA, and represent the reporter's perspective; they are not investigated and cannot be used to infer prevalence. Authoritative source: asrs.arc.nasa.gov ↗