The FAA B4UFly app is about to see some large adjustments within the new 12 months. Most notably, it’s not going to be managed by Aloft, the privately-owned startup that has been powering it since 2019.
The B4UFly app is the centerpiece of the Federal Aviation Administration’s B4UFly program. The B4UFly program was designed to assist newbie or leisure pilots perceive the place they will and can’t fly.
You’ll be able to obtain the B4UFLY Drone Airspace Security app on the Apple App Retailer or Google Play Retailer.
However whereas Aloft will cease powering the B4UFly app, the B4UFly program is hardly going away. The truth is, it’s getting greater. Reasonably than counting on only a single partnership (because it had been doing with Aloft), it seems to be like the following model of B4UFly will incorporate partnerships with a number of non-public firms.
“The B4UFLY program is just not going away, it’s truly increasing,” FAA spokesperson Rick Breitenfeldt informed The Drone Woman. “The FAA is partnering with a number of firms who will combine airspace consciousness with airspace authorizations.”
Breitenfeldt mentioned to anticipate extra info on the FAA’s web site quickly.
The historical past of Aloft’s relationship with the FAA
Aloft had been powering the FAA’s B4UFly app since 2019. Previous to that, the FAA B4UFly app was created and operated totally by the FAA. With the Aloft presence got here a mega relaunch that entailed a extra user-friendly view of what real-time airspace restrictions are in impact within the U.S. It additionally introduced in easier-to-understand airspace steerage that included ‘Good to Go,’ ‘Warning’ and ‘Do Not Fly’ labels.
That was an especially welcome change for the app, which on the time had a painfully low ranking of simply 1.5/5 on the Apple app retailer and an much more abysmal ranking of 1.5/5 on the Android App retailer on Google Play.
Ever since Aloft swooped in, critiques improved. At present, the app has a 3.9 star ranking with Apple and a 4.0 ranking on Google Play.
What’s subsequent for Aloft? A brand new app referred to as Air Conscious
Whereas Aloft’s work in powering the FAA’s B4UFly app is not any extra, Aloft is hardly ending its position within the area of airspace consciousness for drone pilots.
The truth is, it’s simply introduced a brand new partnership that might doubtlessly make it even greater. On Dec. 17, Aloft introduced the launch of Air Conscious, an all-new app made in partnership with an organization referred to as Pilot Institute (extra on them later). The Air Conscious app provides real-time insights earlier than, throughout, and after drone operations.
“It’s been an honor working with the FAA during the last 5 years to energy B4UFLY with Aloft’s UTM and airspace system,” Aloft founder and CEO Jon Hegranes informed The Drone Woman. “We discovered lots over that point and we’re wanting ahead to bringing that data and expertise to a brand new app with a brand new associate in Pilot Institute.”
Aloft is looking their new app a alternative to the B4UFly app. Whereas the outdated app principally centered on circumstances earlier than takeoff, Hegranes mentioned the brand new and improved app is all about “redefining situational consciousness to embody the complete flight lifecycle.”
In response to Hegranes, there’s a lot that Aloft wasn’t capable of do with B4UFly, like enabling an indication so pilots can retailer their certificates, which he mentioned was a extremely requested function.
“Within the new Air Conscious app, we’re listening carefully and actively soliciting suggestions for the place we should always take the platform,” he mentioned to The Drone Woman.
The truth is, Hegranes mentioned they’ve already acquired a whole bunch of submissions for requested app options. He mentioned you possibly can submit your individual app function requests right here.
With the brand new Air Conscious app, you possibly can nonetheless anticipate some related options as you’ll discover within the B4UFly app, together with Notify & Fly. It additionally consists of Air Management – for superior fleet, staff, and airspace administration, and Geo – for public security and different verified companies to publish security and compliance info immediately onto the Aloft airspace maps.
“You’ll nonetheless have official Aloft airspace info in Air Conscious, however you’ll be seeing loads of new performance that simply wasn’t doable earlier than,” Hegranes mentioned.
Aloft companions with Pilot Institute
The partnership with Pilot Institute is one other key app function. Pilot Institute provides programs on each drones and airplanes on subjects together with passing the Half 107 check or the Non-public Pilot examination.
Pilot Institute, which claims to have educated over 250,000 drone and airplane pilots throughout america, is among the many handful of FAA-approved TRUST suppliers. Quick for the Leisure Unmanned Plane Programs Security Take a look at, TRUST is a requirement for pastime drone pilots within the U.S. With it, pastime pilots must undergo the course and easily on-line quiz by means of any of the TRUST-approved organizations, which embody Pilot Institute, UAV Coach, The Boy Scouts of America and others.
Amongst Pilot Institutes choices past the Aloft partnership embody programs on:
Aloft mentioned it is going to not problem updates to the B4UFLY software. As a substitute, Aloft will give attention to Air Conscious.
You’ll be able to obtain Air Conscious from the iOS App Retailer or Google Play Retailer or apply it to the online at https://airaware.aloft.ai.
“With Air Conscious, and our associate in Pilot Institute, we expect we will have a much bigger impression on this phase of drone pilots than we might earlier than by with the ability to provide a extra full and built-in software and suite of capabilities and content material,” Hegranes mentioned.
What in regards to the present FAA B4UFly app?
Regardless that Aloft has moved on, the present B4UFly app continues to be obtainable for obtain and in good, working situation.
“Within the meantime, drone operators ought to proceed to make use of the present B4UFLY app,” Breitenfeldt mentioned.
With out Aloft, it merely means there gained’t be any extra new updates made by Aloft to the app. After all, Aloft is actually not severing ties with the FAA.
“Going ahead, we proceed to look ahead to working carefully with the FAA to advertise the secure integration of drones into the Nationwide Airspace System (NAS) and supply superb instruments and applied sciences for all drone pilots,” Hegranes mentioned. “Drones (leisure and business) already signify the most important variety of pilots and plane within the NAS, and Aloft will proceed to advocate for the rights and talents for these pilots to entry and share the airspace.”
What about LAANC?
Ought to you should fly below 400 ft in managed airspace round airports, there’s additionally nonetheless the continued LAANC program. LAANC, which stands for “Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Functionality” is a system that allows drone pilots to request automated approval to fly in locations the place they usually can’t with out such approval.
A few dozen firms associate with the FAA to offer that automated approval. The apps work by checking requests in opposition to airspace information sources comparable to UAS Facility Maps, Short-term Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to determine whether or not it’s secure for pilots to fly in these areas.
You’ll be able to see the total record of FAA-approved companions who present near-real time airspace authorizations and knowledge right here.
Amongst these authorized companions consists of, sure, Aloft. The truth is, Aloft is the No. 1 FAA-approved LAANC service provider by way of variety of airspace authorizations issued. Aloft achieved a milestone with 1 million LAANC airspace authorizations in September 2023. It additionally introduced it had surpassed 30 million B4UFLY airspace security searches round that very same time.
LAANC is at the moment not a function within the present B4UFly app, neither is it within the Air Conscious app. (It wasn’t doable within the FAA-partnered model due to the no person registration potential). However, Hegranes hinted that native LAANC performance (versus linking to the Aloft Air Management apps or web site) is a function being explored within the new app.
