Part 107 UAS pilot reported conducting a UAS flight beyond the permissible altitude due to discrepancies in what the LAANC app indicated was the maximum altitude versus what the actual authorization detailed.

Date: 2025-09 · Aircraft: DJI Air 3S · Phase: climb

Anomalies: airspace-violation-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-unauthorized-flight-operations-uas|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

Part 107 UAS pilot reported conducting a UAS flight beyond the permissible altitude due to discrepancies in what the LAANC app indicated was the maximum altitude versus what the actual authorization detailed.

Narrative

I was conducting a real estate video shoot on Day 0. Approximately XA:10 hours; I was preparing my above-listed drone for a preflight check when I received a notification on my REMOTE CONTROLLED SCREEN stating that I was in a FLIGHT RESTRICTIVE ZONE. I accessed my 'Air Control' app on my Apple smartphone to make arrangements with LAANC to obtain approval to fly in the specified zone; so I could complete the job I was contracted for. When I opened the app; the first thing it asked was 'What Type of LAANC do you want? I responded with Part 107-Commercial. Right below this question was another question asking the pilot (me) How high do you need to fly? Underneath this question; there is a bar with different altitudes ranging from 0ft to 400ft. Based on my location; this bar had a red bar ranging from 250ft upwards to 400ft. I moved and slid the bar as far as I could; which was up to 250ft. That was more than I needed. I moved forward with any other questions it may have asked me; and approximately 1415 hours later; I received LAANC approval from ZZZ as the authorizing airport; valid inside Airspace Delta for 2 hours and 1 minute. Notably; this was the first time I had ever used this app to obtain clearance to fly my drone. Upon approval; I started my drone and completed my work approximately within 20-30 minutes. For the record; there were no incidents; no accidents; no complaints of any kind. Why am I submitting this report? After the job was completed and I retired at home; I went to check my daily emails and saw an email from ALOFT with my above Authorization number listed; and that my altitude at which I am allowed to fly is 150ft. This technically puts me in violation. The complaint I'm making is that the app stated after asking me 'How high do I need to fly;' the graphical interface of the altitude request was blocked off from 250ft upward. The assumption after this was that I could only fly at an altitude of 250ft or less. After seeing this email; I went back to the app and under LAANC; IT STATED THAT the PERMISSIBLE ALTITUDE FOR AUTHORIZATION IS 200FT. Then; under the LAANC Authorization log; it states 150ft. I believe that the company in charge of ALOFT or Air Control; along with the FAA; needs to work this out in some way. Granted; I assumed the graphical interface bar; which was my error. However; the app then provided two different altitudes to follow. Either way; one inch or 100 ft; it's still a violation. But how would fault be determined in this case scenario? I would like the record to show that incorrect data was presented.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.