Aloft

LAANC is required when flying in controlled airspace. While using the system, you may run into scenarios where you receive a red error message stating "LAANC Pre-check Failed" after filling out all your LAANC details. There can be a few reasons for receiving this message, and this article is meant to help break down some of the most common scenarios. 

Image of the LAANC Pre-Check Failed error message

The most common reason for seeing this error message is because we're filing where LAANC doesn't apply. LAANC is only required in controlled airspace, and is not available in uncontrolled airspace.

The planned operation falls outside of controlled airspace due to the airspace being uncontrolled and/or the airport closed during the planned operation. Exercise caution as the airspace may still have active traffic. you can expand the airport advisory to understand the type of airspace and view the tower's scheduled (if available). LAANC is not required and also not available for flights outside controlled airspace. 

As a follow up to uncontrolled airspace, many smaller airports often close at night. In some cases, these airport revert to Class E airspace and are still considered controlled. In many cases, the airspace reverts to Class G and is not considered controlled airspace when the tower is closed. You'll find these airports display Schedules on the advisory card in Air Control. 

Note that in the example airport/airspace below, Aloft will automatically crop your authorization if any of the request falls outside of controlled airspace (we crop by both time and space). Thus, if you request LAANC from 9pm to 11pm, we will only process the LAANC from 9-10pm local time. 

The tower schedule is visible on the airport advisory card. 

If you request LAANC from 10pm-11pm or from 5am-6am, for example, you'll see the message below.

The planned operation falls outside of controlled airspace due to the airspace being uncontrolled and/or the airport closed during the planned operation. Exercise caution as the airspace may still have active traffic. you can expand the airport advisory to understand the type of airspace and view the tower's scheduled (if available).

These are typically airports and military bases where LAANC has not been enabled or is limited. If LAANC is not available, and the location is still within controlled airspace, authorization can be requested through the FAA's DroneZone website. 

LAANC is inactive for the planned operation area. Please visit the FAA's DroneZone for more information. The requested operation type of Commercial (107-FC) is not available for this operation. The proposed flight plan altitude exceeds the approved max ceiling.  

Further Coordination requires more leadtime

This means that LAANC is available, but due to the requested altitude and the pre-approved altitude limit, the Further Coordinated LAANC process is being triggered. This process is required for any 0-ft areas. This requires filing at least 72 hours in advance. <a href="https://help.aloft.ai/en/articles/8020417-further-coordinated-laanc">More detail on Further Coordination can be found here.</a>

Further coordination is only available for operations that are planned more than 72 hours from today. 

The requested LAANC boundary has crossed into a restricted area. Check the map again and see if it's possible to adjust the LAANC request so that the restriction is not included. 

There is/are flight restriction(s) in the planned area of operation which prevents the submission of an airspace authorization. 

Uncontrolled Airspace

Tower closes at night

LAANC inactive or not available

Further Coordination requires more leadtime

Airspace restrictions present