B4UFly app gone… what’s the best alternative now?

Getting Started Drone Regulations
1

I noticed B4UFly isn’t available anymore. What apps are you all using now? Looking for recommendations.

2

I’m a product designer for Airspace Link. Our AirHub Portal is compliant with B4UFLY and LAANC. You can check it out. We’re always looking for feedback to make it better.

3

Rowan said:
I’m a product designer for Airspace Link. Our AirHub Portal is compliant with B4UFLY and LAANC. You can check it out. We’re always looking for feedback to make it better.

I’ll give it a try. I have about five different LAANC apps right now, but it’s a hassle. The biggest issue I’ve found with most apps is they often don’t show where you can fly over but can’t launch or land, like national parks. Florida has ‘managed lands’ with rules that aren’t clear on maps. I get that it’s hard to keep this info updated across states because the laws are so different.

One cool idea could be a ‘community comments’ layer, where users add notes like ‘call Frank at xxx-xxxx for permission’ or ‘owners don’t mind if you launch from the lot’ or even ‘expect to be hassled by security, call Sgt Stevens at xxx-xxxx if there’s trouble.’ It would need some sort of moderation, but it’d be great for local insights when traveling.

4

@Keaton
Love these ideas! I’ll share them with the team and see if we can work on something like this.

5

Rowan said:
@Keaton
Love these ideas! I’ll share them with the team and see if we can work on something like this.

If you added something like this, it would be the go-to app for flying.

6

@Keaton
Sounds like a Waze for drone flying :smirk:

7

Make sure to check out all apps that support B4UFLY and LAANC. Stay safe! https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly

8

Try Air Aware if you need a direct replacement.

9

Caden said:
Try Air Aware if you need a direct replacement.

Why isn’t Air Aware listed as one of the FAA B4UFLY providers?

10

Hadi said:

Caden said:
Try Air Aware if you need a direct replacement.

Why isn’t Air Aware listed as one of the FAA B4UFLY providers?

I reached out to Aloft about this. Here’s what they said:

Aloft has powered the FAA’s B4UFLY app for five years. Now, any USS can offer ‘B4UFLY’ services with a simple onboarding process. It was easy for Aloft to do, but they chose not to participate because it felt limited compared to what they were already doing. Instead, they created Air Aware as a more advanced replacement. Air Aware includes B4UFLY data plus more, like safety info and features that Aloft couldn’t offer before. They’re working with Pilot Institute to add even more tools and content in the future.

11

@Aubrey
Thanks for explaining!

I get why Aloft wants to do their own thing, but it feels confusing that the FAA has multiple apps, some offering different services. It seems like they should make things as simple as possible to help everyone follow the rules.

12

@Hadi
Classic government move: ‘We’re here to help.’

13

@Hadi
Exactly my thoughts.

14

@Aubrey
Any chance Air Aware will have direct LAANC without needing another app?

15

You can try Air Control.