OpenSky is a free mobile and web application that provides airspace information to drone operators, like when and where it’s safe to fly, so they can safely navigate the sky. OpenSky supports all types of drone users including recreational or commercial.
When using the OpenSky app, drone flyers can see information on airspace restrictions, pre-plan their flights and get airspace approvals all in a few clicks.
OpenSky supports all types of drone users including recreational or commercial.
The FAA categorizes drone flyers into four groups, all four of which are supported by OpenSky:
For more information, you can visit this website: https://www.faa.gov/uas/.
Yes. We believe every drone operator should have easy to use tools to safely access the sky.
When you set up your OpenSky account and add an aircraft, you can choose from a dropdown of various drone options. You can add your own make/model if it is not already present.
If you are inquiring about Ground Control System integration, please see FAQ "Will OpenSky integrate with the GCS of my drone?"
At this time, OpenSky does not integrate with GCS. We are actively pursuing opportunities for GCS integration. Sign up for our mailing list at wing.com/opensky to be informed of the latest developments.
Wing has developed a range of tools and technology to support commercial drone delivery over the past seven years, and the OpenSky app draws from that experience. In bringing the app to market, OpenSky passed an extensive onboarding process with the FAA to ensure our data is timely and meets the safety expectations of the Regulator. Apps that have been approved by the Regulator, like OpenSky, provide drone flyers with the tools they need to take to the sky with confidence.
OpenSky supports the versions of the browsers listed below:
Android - 8.0 and above
iOS - 13 and above
Our web-based application is also available that supports most browsers across operating systems.
Yes. OpenSky allows you to plan ahead so you have peace of mind when you are ready to take flight.
As long as you are logged in and your approval goes through successfully, all your approvals will be saved in the “Flights” section of the main menu. This ensures they will always be accessible on any device when you are logged in.
Should you be heading to an area without service and anticipate you won’t be able to log in, we recommend taking a screenshot of the approval ahead of time.
OpenSky relies on a number of data sources to schedule flights, when these data sources are unavailable the application might return an error when submitting a flight plan.
Occasionally the OpenSky system is updated for maintenance and this may also cause temporary outages where the error is received.
OpenSky will provide outage updates through an email, the OpenSky website, and social media channels. If you are experiencing an outage and there is no available information on the previously listed sites, please use the feedback button in the top right corner of the map screen or select "Send Feedback" from the menu bar to get in touch with us.
The FAA LAANC System is currently unavailable; it is unable to process new or modify airspace authorization requests. Previously approved airspace authorizations (those issued with an FAA reference number) remain valid unless you are informed otherwise by Opensky or the FAA. The FAA's DroneZone portal is an alternative source to make new airspace authorization requests. Processing times may vary and you must receive an authorization approval (issued with an FAA reference number) before you can fly. Visit https://faadronezone.faa.gov/ for additional details. Updates about the current LAANC outage, including return to service information may be available on the FAA’s website or social media channels.
The OpenSky app allows drone flyers to place a pin on any location. The pin will change based on the flight information in a particular region. More details can be seen below.
Map | Key |
Checklist passed | |
Use caution | |
Checklist failed - must not operate in this location | |
Not available in this location | |
Data unavailable | |
Loading |
The OpenSky app contains maps where specific regions are marked with colors. The colors are used to indicate additional details important to drone flyers.
Red - No fly
Areas that don’t pass the checklist based on aviation regulations or other conditions. Tap on the region or place a pin in the red area for further details.
Orange - Fly under conditions
Areas that require drone flyers to take additional caution. Tap on the region or place a pin in the orange area for further details about the nature of these conditions.
Blue - Obstacles
Areas showing certain obstacles (e.g. electrical transmission lines).
The OpenSky app updates as frequently as the data streams allow. When OpenSky is connected to the web via wifi or data, it constantly updates.
You will either receive an advisory statement or be blocked from submitting requests for airspace access if the feed becomes outdated.
Yes. All OpenSky flights can be found in the side menu in the “Flights” tab.
To see your active Flight Rule, in the main OpenSky window, just above the Checklist tab, you will see a purple icon and the name of the selected Flight Rule. You can click on that Flight Rule to access a list to change between Flight Rules.
OpenSky allows you to modify the flight radius in the “Flight Submission” screen by dragging the purple dot to the right (decrease radius) or to the left (increase radius).
You can navigate and drop a pin to a location or you can enter a full address, whatever works best for your flight.
Active airspace access approvals can be canceled from the "Flights" menu by selecting the flight of interest and using the upper right three dots menu to cancel.
OpenSky continuously receives airspace data from regulatory bodies. In some circumstances an authorization for airspace access may be canceled due to a change in airspace data. In such a case, OpenSky will notify you that your authorization was canceled and the checklist will be updated to provide you with the reason for cancellation.
OpenSky is currently available for use in select countries. If you are not physically located in one of those locations, you will not be able to utilize the OpenSky app. However, you may be able to use the web version to pre-plan a trip here.
OpenSky is continuously looking at expanding the countries it supports. You can always check here for the latest updates: https://wing.com/resource-hub/articles/somewhere-else/.
OpenSky is currently not available in multiple languages. We continuously strive to improve the application and plan on supporting multiple languages in the future.
OpenSky does not provide any information with regard to air activity of other drones.
OpenSky requires a network connection to operate.
We currently do not offer an offline mode, as we cannot guarantee the most up-to-date and accurate data is used without an internet connection.
Currently the OpenSky app does not integrate weather data, but we do highlight when an operator needs to check aviation weather sources.
The OpenSky app does not currently include information about other drones or crewed aircraft. It is each drone flier’s responsibility to navigate safely and to comply with applicable laws.
Flights in national parks are subject to specific limitations and policies which are enforceable. Please check the National Park Policy before flying in a National Park.
OpenSky is able to authorize night flights in compliance with LAANC rules.
Part 107 pilots may operate at night through LAANC using the OpenSky app to obtain approval.
For more information about night time flying, see dedicated section on the FAA website here: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=795f3720e106147f41212aef340f0d11&mc=true&node=pt14.2.107&rgn=div5#se14.2.107_129.
All LAANC approved applications approved for use in the US by the FAA follow a set of common rules and acquire data from approved sources.
Should a discrepancy arise between OpenSky and another approved application please submit the information using the in-app feedback button and validate that the flight is safe to continue by manually checking the discrepancy through the FAA website.
For recreational users,
https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/.
For commercial users,
https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/.
Select the restriction on the map for more detailed information about the airspace, this will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
The web, Android and iOS versions of OpenSky have a feedback button where you can offer suggestions, including an optional screenshot of an area of interest.
All feedback requests submitted to the OpenSky team are read. Several factors are considered when assessing feedback reports, and we work to ensure that the highest priority features are included in our roadmap.
Yes, as long as all your abiding checklist items are also followed.
As OpenSky is an FAA approved application, a successful airspace access approval from OpenSky and abiding by the checklist items provided as part of the Flight Authorisation ensures clearance to execute the UAS mission as intended.
Drone pilots planning to fly in the United States under 400 feet in controlled airspace around airports must receive an airspace authorization from the FAA before they fly. LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, which provides drone pilots with automated authorization to access controlled airspace at or below 400 feet through FAA Approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS).
For more information regarding LAANC, visit their site here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/.
Wing may share LAANC Data with the FAA pursuant to law, federal regulation, the LAANC Memorandum of Agreement, or these Performance Rules. This includes, without limitation, the information described in the USS-FAA LAANC API Specification version in effect.
Yes. OpenSky allows for LAANC submissions in-app.
For more information see here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/.
A LAANC approval allows OpenSky users to get an airspace access approval from the FAA to operate in the LAANC area they are interested in.
LAANC approvals are obtained using an automated system avoiding the need for manual requests for access to that airspace.
The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is now available at hundreds of air traffic facilities and airports.
Please visit the FAA's list of the most up to date LAANC enabled airports here.
In the United States, the FAA regulates the airspace for drone aviation. For more information on the FAA, please visit their site here: https://www.faa.gov/.
The OpenSky app uses FAA-designated data sources to provide information about locations where it is lawful for different types of drone flyers to fly. It is each drone flyer’s responsibility to navigate safely and to comply with applicable rules. For more information about FAA approved safety apps, visit https://www.faa.gov/uas/.
OpenSky is approved by the FAA for Part 107 and 44809 UAS Operations in the United States. The application has successfully onboarded to the FAA's LAANC process to ensure it meets the regulatory requirements needed for use.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is a restriction on an area of airspace due to the movement of government VIPs, special events, natural disasters, or other unusual events.
Flights are not allowed in areas where a TFR exists. For more information please visit: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/about.jsp.
Special use airspace (SUA) is an area designated for operations of a nature such that limitations may be imposed on aircraft not participating in those operations. Often these operations are of a military nature.
Flights are not allowed in Prohibited Areas or Active Special Use Airspace areas that place limitations on UAS operations.
For more information, please visit: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap3_section_4.html.
LAANC provides authorization for operations up to 400 feet depending on your flight area. To view the maximum allowed altitude you can tap/click the map for any LAANC airspace and OpenSky will show you the maximum altitude you can fly.
Ground level is intended as the physical ground where an altitude measurement is being taken. When an altitude is indicated as Above Ground Level (AGL), this will be the physical height from the ground at that specific location.
A large amount of the airspace over the United States is designated as Class E airspace. Most of this airspace is not near the surface, but aloft, where aircraft flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) are in the en route segment of flight. Over most of the country, the base of Class E airspace is at either 700 or 1,200 feet above the ground, so this isn’t an issue for small UAS operating at 400 feet and below. However, some airports without control towers have an area of Class E airspace that extends down to the surface. This is in place to protect aircraft departing and arriving under IFR.
To be eligible to use OpenSky, you must be at least 18 years of age (or the legal age of majority where you live). See our Terms of Service.
OpenSky requires a Google account, and you can use your own email address when creating your Google account by following instructions here and you should be good to go. If you experience any difficulty with setting this up, please don't hesitate to reach out and we will do our best to assist you.
In the OpenSky app: Navigate to "My Profile" and click the three dots in the upper right corner to show the "Delete OpenSky Account" option.
To delete your account without using the app, send an email requesting deletion from the account in question to wing-privacy@wing.com.
Deletion typically takes up to 24 hours to be triggered. During the period between you submitting a deletion request and the deletion not yet being triggered, you will still be able to login and view/create flights.
Once deletion has started, you will be shown a message that your account is being deleted and will be unable to sign into OpenSky. All outstanding authorizations will be canceled once the deletion process is triggered and you will be notified via email.
OpenSky provides a grace period of 30 days for you to reverse an account deletion should they change their mind. To reverse the process, please email wing-privacy@wing.com.
OpenSky login works through Google Accounts. For assistance with recovering your Google account please see: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/41078?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop.
Yes. You can have multiple licenses on one account or you can have multiple accounts.
In the OpenSky app navigate to "My Profile" and click "Add License" and follow the prompts.
The Last Renewed Date is for Part 107 license holders who must renew their license every 2 years and it is not required if your original license is still valid. When entering your license for the first time, leave the “Last Renewed Date” field blank if the date that you received your first license was less than two years ago. OpenSky will notify you thirty days before your license expires.
If you’ve renewed your Part 107 license, you can update the existing license in OpenSky. In Profile, scroll to your FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and tap the menu (three dot) button on the license card. Select “Edit License”. Update the “Last renewed date” field to the renewal date from your license and save. You do not need to update your certificate number.
The Terms of Service can be found at the bottom of the main OpenSky Menu below "sign out."
The Privacy Policy can be found at the bottom of the main OpenSky Menu below "sign out."
You may email wing-privacy@wing.com to request a copy of your personal data or with any other privacy related requests.
OpenSky runs on Google's secure infrastructure and data centers which provide best in class security. For more information see https://cloud.google.com/security/infrastructure/design.
If you are located in the U.S., drone and flight information such as data for LAANC authorization may be collected from approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS) and Wing will retain such data until you choose to delete it or the account.
Please reach out by using the feedback button on the top right corner of the OpenSky app or selecting "Send Feedback" from the main OpenSky menu.
If you are on the map screen, you can submit feedback by using the feedback button on the top right corner of the screen.
From anywhere else in the app, you can report inaccurate data by selecting "Send Feedback" from the menu bar.
Thanks for your interest in OpenSky!
For career opportunities, please see https://wing.com/careers/.
For business relationship inquiries, please email opensky@wing.com.
All OpenSky users can draw a circular volume consisting of a center point and a flight radius. This circle supports being both resized and relocated to best capture your intended flying volume.
Users involved in automated approval trials in Australia have access to additional shape tools.
OpenSky supports 3 ways to define a flight volume:
Users can define how they intend to control and operate aircraft with the flight control selector. The available options are:
Polygon and grid tools both allow a user to create a custom polygonal shape to plan their flight and are limited to 4 individual movable points.