Redesigned B4UFLY App Available Now Available

The FAA in partnership with Kittyhawk relaunched its B4UFLY mobile application that allows recreational drone flyers know where they can and cannot fly in the national airspace system (NAS). The new B4UFLY app is now available to download for free at the App Store for iOS and Google Play store for Android.

“As we continue our efforts to safely integrate drones into the NAS, working with our industry partners to provide innovative technology is critical,” said FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell. “The B4UFLY app is another tool the FAA can provide recreational drone flyers to help them fly safely and responsibly.”

Some of the key features users can expect include:

A clear “status” indicator that informs the operator whether it is safe to fly or not. (For example, it shows flying in the Special Flight Rules Area around Washington, D.C. is prohibited.)

Informative, interactive maps with filtering options.

Information about controlled airspace, special use airspace, critical infrastructure, airports, national parks, military training routes and temporary flight restrictions.

A link to LAANC, the FAA’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, to obtain authorization to fly in controlled airspace.

The ability to check whether it is safe to fly in different locations by searching for a location or moving the location pin.

Links to other FAA drone resources and regulatory information.

The app provides situational awareness to recreational flyers and other drone users. It does not allow users to obtain airspace authorizations to fly in controlled airspace, which are only available through LAANC.

For more information, view B4UFLY.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.