Get FAA airspace authorization for a survey drone flight operating below 400 ft within controlled airspace near an airport.

Steps

1. Check the UAS Facility Map (UASFM) grid for the project site at https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/uas_facility_maps — remember these maps show pre-approved altitude ceilings only, they do NOT themselves authorize flight.
2. Submit the actual authorization request through an FAA-approved LAANC UAS Service Supplier (USS) app, not directly through the UASFM viewer.
3. If the planned survey altitude is at or below the grid cell's published ceiling, expect near-real-time automatic approval; if above, expect denial and the need for a 'further coordination request' (still capped at 400 ft) or a full DroneZone waiver.
4. For survey flights needing to fly a consistent grid at a fixed altitude for photogrammetry, plan the flight polygon around the lowest ceiling cell in the grid to avoid a patchwork of mid-flight altitude restrictions.
5. Retain the LAANC approval record with the flight log/deliverable package, since some AHJs and clients require proof of airspace authorization alongside the final survey/orthomosaic.