Airports are the single highest-stakes location for a drone flight to go wrong, because the consequence of a mistake is a potential conflict with manned aircraft.
Step 1: Check your actual distance from any airport
"Near an airport" is often further than it looks. Controlled airspace commonly extends several miles laterally from the airport reference point, not just directly overhead the runway. Use the FAA's B4UFLY app or an aeronautical chart, not visual estimation.
Step 2: Identify the airspace class
Once you know you're near an airport, confirm the airspace class (B, C, D, or a surface-level E) — this determines whether authorization is required at all, and through what process.
Step 3: Get LAANC authorization if required
For most controlled airspace near towered airports, request authorization through an FAA-approved LAANC app before flying, specifying your intended altitude, not just "as high as allowed."
Step 4: Check for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
Independent of routine airspace class, a TFR can temporarily prohibit or restrict flight in an area — common around VIP travel, wildfires, and major public events. Check the FAA's TFR list for the specific date and location, not just the general airspace class.
Step 5: Stay alert during the flight, not just before it
Manned aircraft can appear with little warning, especially during approach or departure. Maintain constant visual awareness and be ready to land immediately if an aircraft approaches, regardless of what authorization you hold.
The bottom line
None of these steps are optional extras — they are the actual mechanism by which drone and manned-aircraft traffic stay safely separated near airports.