The FAA B4UFly app is about to see some massive modifications 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 possibly can 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. In truth, it’s getting greater. Slightly than counting on only a single partnership (because it had been doing with Aloft), it appears like the subsequent model of B4UFly will incorporate partnerships with a number of personal corporations.
“The B4UFLY program isn’t going away, it’s truly increasing,” FAA spokesperson Rick Breitenfeldt instructed The Drone Woman. “The FAA is partnering with a number of corporations who will combine airspace consciousness with airspace authorizations.”
Breitenfeldt mentioned to count on 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 completely 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 steering that included ‘Good to Go,’ ‘Warning’ and ‘Do Not Fly’ labels.
That was a particularly welcome change for the app, which on the time had a painfully low score of simply 1.5/5 on the Apple app retailer and an much more abysmal score of 1.5/5 on the Android App retailer on Google Play.
Ever since Aloft swooped in, evaluations improved. Right this moment, the app has a 3.9 star score with Apple and a 4.0 score 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 isn’t any extra, Aloft is hardly ending its function within the discipline of airspace consciousness for drone pilots.
In truth, it’s simply introduced a brand new partnership that would 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 presents real-time insights earlier than, throughout, and after drone operations.
“It’s been an honor working with the FAA over the past 5 years to energy B4UFLY with Aloft’s UTM and airspace system,” Aloft founder and CEO Jon Hegranes instructed The Drone Woman. “We realized quite a bit over that point and we’re trying ahead to bringing that information and expertise to a brand new app with a brand new associate in Pilot Institute.”
Aloft is asking their new app a alternative to the B4UFly app. Whereas the outdated app largely centered on situations earlier than takeoff, Hegranes mentioned the brand new and improved app is all about “redefining situational consciousness to embody the complete flight lifecycle.”
Based on Hegranes, there’s a lot that Aloft wasn’t in a position to 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 intently and actively soliciting suggestions for the place we should always take the platform,” he mentioned to The Drone Woman.
In truth, Hegranes mentioned they’ve already obtained tons of of submissions for requested app options. He mentioned you’ll be able to submit your individual app function requests right here.
With the brand new Air Conscious app, you’ll be able to nonetheless count on some comparable options as you’ll discover within the B4UFly app, together with Notify & Fly. It additionally consists of Air Management – for superior fleet, group, and airspace administration, and Geo – for public security and different verified businesses to publish security and compliance info straight onto the Aloft airspace maps.
“You’ll nonetheless have official Aloft airspace info in Air Conscious, however you’ll be seeing plenty 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 presents programs on each drones and airplanes on matters together with passing the Half 107 check or the Personal 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 Check, TRUST is a requirement for interest drone pilots within the U.S. With it, interest pilots must undergo the course and easily on-line quiz by means of any of the TRUST-approved organizations, which embrace Pilot Institute, UAV Coach, The Boy Scouts of America and others.
Amongst Pilot Institutes choices past the Aloft partnership embrace programs on:
Aloft mentioned it should not difficulty updates to the B4UFLY utility. As a substitute, Aloft will concentrate on Air Conscious.
You possibly can 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 affect on this phase of drone pilots than we might earlier than by with the ability to provide a extra full and built-in utility and suite of capabilities and content material,” Hegranes mentioned.
What in regards to the present FAA B4UFly app?
Although Aloft has moved on, the present B4UFly app remains to be out there 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 definitely not severing ties with the FAA.
“Going ahead, we proceed to sit up for working intently 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 industrial) already symbolize the most important variety of pilots and plane within the NAS, and Aloft will proceed to advocate for the rights and skills for these pilots to entry and share the airspace.”
What about LAANC?
Ought to it’s worthwhile to fly beneath 400 toes 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 permits drone pilots to request computerized approval to fly in locations the place they usually can’t with out such approval.
A few dozen corporations associate with the FAA to offer that computerized approval. The apps work by checking requests in opposition to airspace knowledge sources similar to UAS Facility Maps, Momentary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to determine whether or not it’s secure for pilots to fly in these areas.
You possibly can see the complete listing of FAA-approved companions who present near-real time airspace authorizations and knowledge right here.
Amongst these authorised companions consists of, sure, Aloft. In truth, 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.
