AIM ¶ 11-8-7 — UAS Operator Resources
AIM 11-8-7 lists FAA resources for drone pilots: DroneZone, LAANC, B4UFLY, FSDOs, NOTAMs, and the UAS Support Center. Study guide for pilot students.
In Plain English
AIM 11-8-7 is a directory of FAA resources for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operators. The FAA does not regulate through this paragraph — it points you to tools and offices that help you fly drones legally and safely.
Key resources to know:
- FAA.gov/uas — central hub for UAS rules, regulations, and best practices.
- FAA DroneZone — portal for drone registration, Part 107 airspace authorizations and waivers, CBO registration, and fixed flying site requests.
- FSDOs (Flight Standards District Offices) — your best in-person source for UAS information.
- UAS Support Center — 844-FLY-MY-UA or [email protected] for general questions.
- LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) — automates airspace authorization at 600+ airports through FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers.
- B4UFLY — mobile app (FAA/Kittyhawk partnership) that tells recreational flyers whether it is safe to fly.
- Aviation Weather & NOTAMs — currently oriented toward manned aviation, but still useful for UAS pilots, especially near airports or in controlled airspace.
Knowing where to find authoritative information is essential before every drone flight — particularly for airspace authorizations and NOTAM/TFR checks.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 11-8-711-8-7. 11-8-7. Resources for UAS Operators
FAA.GOV/UAS. The FAA UAS website, www.faa.gov/uas , is the central point for information about FAA UAS rules, regulations, and safety best practices. FAA DroneZone. The FAA DroneZone is the Agency's portal for registering drones, requesting part 107 airspace authorizations and waivers, registering as a CBO, requesting fixed flying sites, and other tasks. Local FAA offices (Flight Standards District Offices/FSDOs). FSDOs can be the best in-person source for UAS information. A list of FSDOs in the United States is at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/all_fsdos/ . Aeronautical Information. The FAA provides aeronautical information to NAS users, including UAS pilots, through a variety of methods, including publications like this manual, other publications, Advisory Circulars (ACs), charts, website and mobile applications, etc. Check https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/safety_alerts/ for these items. The UAS Support Center. For general question or comment about UAS or drones, the FAA's Support Center is available at 844-FLY-MY-UA or [email protected] . Clubs and Associations. Local UAS recreational clubs, CBO organizations, and business associations are excellent resources for information and updates on flying in the local region. LAANC. LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, a collaboration between FAA and industry. It automates the application and approval process for airspace authorizations. Using applications developed by an FAA-approved UAS service supplier (USS) you can apply for an airspace authorization at over 600 airports. Download the free LAANC app at https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/ . B4UFLY. The B4UFLY mobile application is a partnership between the FAA and Kittyhawk. The app helps recreational flyers know whether it is sa fe to fly their drone, as well as increases their situational awareness. Download the free B4UFLY app at https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/where_can_i_fly/b4ufly/ . Weather Sources. Aviation weather services (such as https://www.aviationweather.gov/ ) are generally targeted towards manned aviation, the FAA is currently working on UAS-specific weather applications. NOTAMs. The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system, like aviation weather sources, remains primarily predicated on manned aviation needs. However, the system provides continual updates on all aviation activity (to include UAS flight activities which have been input to the FAA), as well as airport status. The NOTAM system will be of greatest use to larger UAS activities, UAS en route operations in controlled airspace, and those flying to or from airports. NOTAMs, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), and aircraft safety alerts can be accessed at https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/notams_tfr/ . Previous | Top | Next AIM | ATPUBS | FAA | Send your comments regarding this website.
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is LAANC and how does a UAS pilot use it?
Per AIM 11-8-7, LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability — a collaboration between the FAA and industry that automates the application and approval process for airspace authorizations. Pilots use applications from FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS) to request authorization at over 600 airports.
Q2What can a drone pilot accomplish through the FAA DroneZone?
Per AIM 11-8-7, the FAA DroneZone is the FAA's portal for registering drones, requesting Part 107 airspace authorizations and waivers, registering as a Community Based Organization (CBO), requesting fixed flying sites, and other tasks.
Q3Are NOTAMs and standard aviation weather services tailored to UAS operations?
Per AIM 11-8-7, no — both aviation weather services and the NOTAM system remain primarily predicated on manned aviation needs. The FAA is working on UAS-specific weather applications. NOTAMs are still most useful for larger UAS activities, en route operations in controlled airspace, and flights to or from airports.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 11
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