For a general understanding of the map colors and layers as they are currently displayed on Air Control and B4UFLY, check out this article:
Every map source is a grouping of related layers. Developers can include the entire source and toggle on/off the individual layers. Composite layers will be cached together so in addition to logical grouping around function, we want to group layers based on update frequency. Please refer to the Swagger documentation and Map Demo for more information.
Here is a breakdown of each Airspace API layer:
Aloft Map Source | Layer | Update | Table | Description |
FAA Airspace | UAS Facility Map (UASFM) | Hourly |
| UAS Facility Maps show maximum altitudes around airports where the FAA may authorize Part 107 UAS operations without additional safety analysis. Also known as the LAANC pre-approved altitude grids. Requests above the pre-approved altitude limit require LAANC with Further Coordination. |
FAA Airspace | Full-Time NSUFRs | Hourly |
| National Security UAS Flight Restrictions (NSUFRs) cover sensitive security locations, usually belonging to the Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD). Operations are prohibited from the ground up to 400 feet above ground level, and apply to all types and purposes of UAS flight operations. |
FAA Airspace | Part-Time NSUFRs | Hourly |
| National Security UAS Flight Restrictions (NSUFRs) cover sensitive security locations, usually belonging to the Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD). Operations are prohibited from the ground up to 400 feet above ground level, and apply to all types and purposes of UAS flight operations. |
FAA Airspace | Class Airspace | Hourly |
| Controlled and uncontrolled airspaces are where pilots will spend most of their time flying. Controlled airspace consists of five tiers beginning with most restrictive to least restrictive: Class Alpha (A) is non-applicable, Class Bravo (B), Class Charlie (C), Class Delta (D), and Class Echo (E). Uncontrolled airspace is known as Class Golf (G), and is the portion of airspace not designated as any of the previous airspaces. |
FAA Airspace | Airports | Hourly |
| This layer includes pinpoint locations of airports and heliports. |
FAA Airspace | Stadiums | Hourly |
| This layer contains the potentially restricted areas around open air stadiums. Flying drones in and around stadiums that seat 30,000 people or more is prohibited by law beginning one hour before and ending one hour after the scheduled time of any of the following events: Major League Baseball Game, National Football League Game, NCAA Division One Football Game, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Indy Car, and Champ Series Race. |
FAA Airspace | U.S. Special Use Airspace | Hourly |
| Area shapes of Special Use Airspace (SUAs) where activities are confined because of their nature, or aircraft operations are limited because of the nature of the activities. These include further classification as Warning, Alert, Restricted, Prohibited, MOA, etc., as "type_code". |
Real-Time | TFR | 30 minutes |
| Area shapes with current and upcoming TFRs. TFRs will be available in advance by several days depending on when the TFR is filed. |
Geo Portal | National Parks | Daily |
| This layer includes area shapes from verified sources, specifically The US National Park Service (NPS), as part of the Aloft Geo service. These areas are not typically displayed on aviation charts yet may affect a drone operator's ability to take off and land in certain areas. |
Geo Portal | Geo Portal | Hourly |
| This layer includes area shapes from verified sources as part of the Aloft Geo service. These areas are not typically displayed on aviation charts yet may affect a drone operator's ability to take off and land in certain areas. |