Question 1

What is UAS SkyCheck?

Accepted Answer

UAS SkyCheck is a drone preflight intelligence tool for FAA Part 107 commercial pilots and recreational flyers. Enter a ZIP code, city, airport code, or GPS coordinates and get a complete preflight conditions overview covering airspace class, active TFRs, restricted zones, current weather, METAR conditions, solar window, GPS health, and a weighted safety score, all in one result. It runs in any web browser and can also be installed on your iPhone or Android phone home screen like a native app -- no App Store required. The pilot in command is always responsible for the final flight decision.

Question 2

Is UAS SkyCheck an app or a website?

Accepted Answer

Both. UAS SkyCheck is a Progressive Web App (PWA) -- it runs directly in your browser at uas-skycheck.app without any download, and it can also be installed on your home screen and used like a native app. On iPhone: open the site in Safari, tap the Share button, then tap "Add to Home Screen." On Android: tap the Install prompt that appears in the browser, or use the browser menu to "Add to Home Screen." Once installed it opens full-screen with no browser chrome, exactly like a native app. No App Store, no Google Play, no updates to manage.

Question 3

Is UAS SkyCheck FAA-approved?

Accepted Answer

No. UAS SkyCheck is an independent pilot tool, not an FAA-certified product. It does not replace official preflight requirements -- obtaining LAANC authorization for controlled airspace and checking FAA NOTAMs before flight applies to both Part 107 commercial operators and recreational pilots under §44809. Use it as a fast preflight reference alongside official FAA tools.

Question 4

How is this different from B4UFLY?

Accepted Answer

B4UFLY is the FAA's own app and the authoritative source for airspace class and nearby airport data. UAS SkyCheck goes further: it adds 14,362 airports (incl. 13,328 uncontrolled GA strips), 11,269 restricted zones (national parks, wildlife refuges, stadiums, military bases, hospital helipads, tribal lands, and more), an interactive airspace map with real polygon boundaries, density altitude, solar window with civil twilight countdown, a weighted preflight safety score, and ATC tower contacts. Pilot tier adds live METAR, live TFRs, GPS health, TAF 6-hour forecasts, and wind shear analysis. Captain tier adds PDF briefing download, Automated Advisor, flight log, and NOTAM access. The two tools are complementary. Use B4UFLY for official authorization, UAS SkyCheck for a complete preflight picture.

Question 5

Do I need a Part 107 certificate to use UAS SkyCheck?

Accepted Answer

No. UAS SkyCheck is useful for any drone pilot, including recreational flyers, students, and Part 107 commercial operators alike. The tool surfaces information relevant to both Part 107 and recreational operations under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.

Question 6

What is TRUST and do I need it?

Accepted Answer

TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) is the FAA-mandated safety test for recreational drone pilots flying under 49 U.S.C. §44809 (the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations). It is free, takes about 20 minutes, and must be completed before your first recreational flight. You must carry proof of completion and present it to FAA or law enforcement on request. TRUST is separate from Part 107: recreational flyers take TRUST, commercial operators earn a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. If you fly your drone for fun, not for money or business purposes, TRUST applies to you. If you get paid for drone work, you need Part 107 instead. Take TRUST at an FAA-approved provider: AMA (modelaircraft.org/trust), UAV Coach (uavcoach.com/trust-test), or find the full list at faa.gov.

Question 7

What are the key rules for recreational flying under §44809?

Accepted Answer

Recreational flyers under §44809 must: (1) complete TRUST before flying, (2) fly at or below 400 ft AGL in Class G airspace, (3) fly within visual line of sight at all times, (4) use LAANC or DroneZone to fly in controlled airspace (Class B/C/D/E), (5) never fly over people or moving vehicles, (6) register any drone weighing 0.55 lbs (250g) or more, (7) comply with Remote ID requirements for registered drones, and (8) fly only within community safety guidelines if operating within an FAA-recognized community organization. FRIAs (FAA-Recognized Identification Areas) are the one exception where registered drones can fly without Remote ID. UAS SkyCheck flags FRIA locations in your result.

Question 8

Does UAS SkyCheck provide LAANC authorization?

Accepted Answer

No. UAS SkyCheck tells you what airspace class you are in and whether LAANC authorization is required, but it does not issue authorization. To obtain LAANC authorization, use an FAA-approved app such as Aloft or DroneUp. UAS SkyCheck and a LAANC app are used together: check UAS SkyCheck for the full preflight picture, then obtain authorization through a LAANC app if required.

Question 9

Where does the airspace data come from?

Accepted Answer

Airspace classification is derived from FAA NASR (National Airspace System Resource) data. The airport dataset covers 14,362 airports across all 50 states, DC, and US territories, including Class B, C, D, E surface, and Class G fields. All Class D airports include tower operating hours so the system can accurately determine whether a tower is currently open and whether authorization is required.

Question 10

How current is the restricted zone data?

Accepted Answer

The restricted zone dataset covers 11,269 zones across 22 types including national parks, wildlife refuges, military operations areas, stadiums, hospital helipads, tribal lands, critical infrastructure, and more. 9,679 zones use real polygon boundaries for accurate containment. It is updated regularly as part of ongoing data expansion. Live TFRs (Pilot+) are fetched directly from the FAA NOTAM API at runtime and merged with 31 known permanent TFRs, keeping TFR data current to within 30 minutes.

Question 11

What does CHECK LOCAL RULES mean?

Accepted Answer

CHECK LOCAL RULES (shown in yellow) means your location is inside a zone where drone rules are set locally -- by a regional park district, state park agency, city, or county -- and those rules vary significantly by jurisdiction. Unlike national parks (blanket prohibition) or wildlife refuges (USFWS permit required), these zones do not have a single uniform rule. Recreational use is often allowed without a permit in some areas and prohibited in others. Commercial operations typically require a permit. The badge appears yellow, not red, because we don't want to tell you that you can't fly somewhere when you may well be able to -- but you need to confirm the specific rules for that park or jurisdiction before showing up. Tap the zone in the Airspace tab for guidance specific to your pilot type.

Question 12

Where does the weather data come from?

Accepted Answer

Forecast weather comes from Open-Meteo, a free and open weather API using NOAA and ECMWF models. METAR observations come from the FAA/NOAA aviationweather.gov API and reflect the most recent hourly or special observation from the nearest reporting airport. TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) 6-hour outlooks and wind shear analysis also come from aviationweather.gov. Space weather (Kp index and GPS health) comes from NOAA SWPC.

Question 13

What is the safety score and how is it calculated?

Accepted Answer

The safety score is a 0-100 conditions indicator calculated at check time. It applies penalty points across nine categories: weather conditions (up to -40, capped), airspace class and restriction type (up to -35), daylight window (up to -25), altitude restrictions (up to -20), space weather / GPS health (up to -8), compounding risk factor (up to -8 when multiple categories are simultaneously elevated), altitude proximity gradient (up to -5), population density proxy (up to -5), and density altitude (up to -5 inside the weather cap). Wind thresholds are aircraft-aware: a Mini/Nano class drone triggers a high-wind warning at lower speeds than a standard or heavy aircraft, based on published manufacturer wind resistance ratings. Precipitation is scored from 15% probability. A higher score means fewer conditions are flagged; a lower score means more are. UAS SkyCheck does not publish a threshold score that means 'safe to fly'. What the score means for your specific flight depends on your experience, aircraft, mission, and factors the app cannot see. The score is one planning input. The pilot in command is always responsible for the go/no-go decision.

Question 14

Can I fly if my score is above a certain number?

Accepted Answer

UAS SkyCheck does not tell you whether to fly. That decision belongs to the pilot in command, and the app is intentionally designed that way. The safety score tells you how many conditions are flagged and how severe they are. A score of 90 with a single minor penalty looks very different from a score of 90 in a different airspace environment. The fly status (CLEAR, LAANC REQUIRED, RESTRICTED) reflects airspace legal status, a legal question and not a safety recommendation. Use the score, the penalty breakdown, the METAR, and the fly status together as planning inputs. Then apply your own judgment, check NOTAMs at 1800wxbrief.com or the FAA NOTAM System, and verify conditions on-site before every flight.

Question 15

Does UAS SkyCheck use AI or a language model like ChatGPT?

Accepted Answer

No. UAS SkyCheck does not use any external AI model, large language model, or machine learning system. The safety score, advisor text, and preflight briefing are generated entirely by deterministic Python code running on our own servers using weighted penalty calculations and rule-based text generation based on FAA regulations. No data from your flight checks is sent to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or any other AI provider. This means the results are fully auditable, consistent, and not subject to hallucination or third-party API outages. The word 'Automated' in 'Automated Advisor' reflects exactly that: automated rule-based analysis, not AI inference.

Question 16

Are the safety score penalty thresholds based on Part 107 rules or recreational rules?

Accepted Answer

The penalty thresholds in the safety score are based on 14 CFR Part 107 minimums. For example, the visibility penalty triggers below 3 statute miles because that is the Part 107 minimum under 14 CFR 107.51(c). Recreational pilots flying under §44809 are not bound by Part 107 minimums, but the underlying conditions are still real risk factors regardless of which rules apply to you. Flying in 2 SM visibility is objectively more hazardous than flying in 10 SM visibility, whether you hold a Part 107 certificate or not. If you are a recreational pilot, treat the penalty breakdown as a risk reference rather than a legal compliance check. Also check your Community-Based Organization's guidelines, which may set their own thresholds on top of FAA minimums.

Question 17

What is a Community-Based Organization (CBO) and do I need to follow their rules?

Accepted Answer

A Community-Based Organization is an FAA-approved national organization that establishes and enforces safety guidelines for recreational drone pilots. Under §44809, recreational flyers are required to fly within the safety guidelines of an FAA-approved CBO if they are a member of one. The major FAA-recognized CBOs are the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the Nexus Air Sports Community (NASC). CBO rules can be stricter than FAA minimums -- for example, an AMA club field may have local altitude limits, specific no-fly zones, or operating hours. UAS SkyCheck reflects FAA airspace and regulatory minimums; it does not incorporate individual CBO rules. If you fly under a CBO, verify your club or chapter's specific guidelines before each flight.

Question 18

What are FRIAs and how does UAS SkyCheck handle them?

Accepted Answer

FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs) are designated locations where drones without Remote ID capability may operate. UAS SkyCheck includes 711 FRIAs across all 50 states, DC, and 6 territories. Every preflight check shows whether your location is inside a FRIA boundary.

Question 19

Does checking UAS SkyCheck satisfy my Part 107 preflight requirements?

Accepted Answer

No, and this is important. Part 107 requires the remote PIC to assess conditions at the time of flight, obtain airspace authorization where required, and check FAA NOTAMs before commercial operations. UAS SkyCheck helps you complete those steps efficiently, but it is a tool, not a substitute. For commercial operations, always cross-reference with the FAA NOTAM system and obtain LAANC authorization through an approved provider.

Question 20

Can I use UAS SkyCheck as documentation for an insurance claim?

Accepted Answer

UAS SkyCheck generates a timestamped preflight record with airspace class, TFR status, restricted zone warnings, and weather conditions. Captain tier users can download this as a PDF briefing. Whether this constitutes adequate documentation for an insurance claim depends on your specific policy. Consult your insurer. That said, having a documented preflight record is always better than none.

Question 21

What should I do if UAS SkyCheck says GO but conditions change before I fly?

Accepted Answer

Do not fly. The check reflects conditions at the time it was run. TFRs can be issued with little notice, weather can deteriorate, and tower status can change. Always assess actual conditions at the flight location before launching, regardless of what a prior check showed. If you are on-site and conditions have changed materially since your last check, run a new check.

Question 22

Does UAS SkyCheck cover operations outside the United States?

Accepted Answer

No. UAS SkyCheck is designed for US operations only. The airspace data, restricted zone dataset, METAR sourcing, FRIA data, and regulatory references all apply to the US national airspace system. For international operations, consult the relevant civil aviation authority for the country where you plan to fly.

Question 23

What does the Free tier include?

Accepted Answer

The Free tier includes 5 preflight checks per day. Your first check is always instant, no account needed. Sign in free (no card) to unlock your full 5 daily checks, plus 1 saved location and 1 UAV profile. Each check includes airspace class, 11,269 restricted zone warnings, an interactive airspace map, basic weather (wind, visibility, ceiling, solar window, density altitude), ATC contacts, and the full 0-100 safety score. Live TFR overlay, live METAR, TAF 6-hour forecast, and GPS health require Pilot. PDF briefing download, Automated Advisor, NOTAM access, and flight log require Captain. No credit card needed for Free.

Question 24

What does Pilot tier add over Free?

Accepted Answer

Pilot ($5.99/month or $65.99/year) unlocks live TFR overlay with expiry countdown (shows how long until each TFR clears), live METAR, TAF 6-hour forecast, and GPS health (Kp index). It also increases your daily check limit to 10, adds a 29-item preflight checklist (LAANC confirmation, 72-hour outlook, emergency contacts, night ops items -- all auto-flagged), saved locations, and 1 UAV profile. One month free on annual plans. PDF briefing download, Automated Advisor, NOTAM access, and flight log are available on the Captain plan.

Question 25

What does Captain tier add over Pilot?

Accepted Answer

Captain ($10.99/month or $119.99/year) increases your daily check limit to 20 and adds the flight log (save and review past briefings), the Automated Advisor (plain-language risk narrative for every check), live NOTAM access within 15 NM, sorted by relevance (UAS-specific and close-in items surface first), unlimited UAV profiles (with Remote ID serial tracking and battery cycle counters), and 7 saved locations. Captain also lets you set your Part 107 certificate expiry date for automatic 90-day and 30-day renewal reminders. One month free on annual plans.

Question 26

Is there a free trial for paid tiers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Pilot plan includes a 30-day free trial. A credit card is required to start, but no charge occurs during the trial period. If you cancel before day 30, no charge is made. The Captain plan does not include a trial, but includes one month free when billed annually. The Free tier is permanently free with no credit card required. You can evaluate airspace, weather, and the safety score (5 checks per day) before deciding whether a paid tier fits your operations.

Question 27

What is your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Monthly plans are non-refundable after billing. Annual plans are eligible for a prorated refund within 30 days of purchase or renewal. See the full Refund Policy at /legal/refund for details.

Question 28

How do I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

Log in, open your account settings, and click Manage Billing. This opens the Stripe Customer Portal where you can cancel your subscription. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. You retain access until then.

Question 29

Do I need to sign in to use UAS SkyCheck?

Accepted Answer

Your first preflight check is always instant, no account needed. After that, a free account is required to run additional checks (up to 5 per day). Signing in also unlocks 1 saved location and 1 UAV profile at no cost. UAS SkyCheck uses Google OAuth, one tap with no password to create or remember.

Question 30

How do I sign in?

Accepted Answer

Tap the Sign In button in the top navigation and authenticate with your Google account. No password to create or remember -- one tap and you are in.

Question 31

Why does UAS SkyCheck only support Google sign-in?

Accepted Answer

Google sign-in is the only option by design, not by accident. When you sign in with Google, we never see or store a password. There is no password database to breach, no reset emails to send, and no credentials for an attacker to steal. Google handles the authentication entirely -- we receive only a verified identity token. For a preflight safety tool used in the field, this means faster sign-in (one tap), stronger security (Google 2FA applies automatically if you have it enabled), and one fewer thing that can go wrong. Gmail is required -- if you need access with a different email address, contact us at admin@sudokode.co and we can explore options.

Question 32

Is my data sold or shared with third parties?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not sell your data under any circumstances, including to advertisers, data brokers, or any other third party. Flight check requests, location queries, and usage data are used exclusively to operate and improve the Service. The only parties that ever process your data are our infrastructure providers (Supabase for authentication, Stripe for payments, Render for API hosting), and they operate under strict contractual obligations that prohibit using your data for their own purposes. We have no advertising partners and serve no ads. For the full picture, see the Privacy Policy at /legal/privacy.

Question 33

Does UAS SkyCheck work offline?

Accepted Answer

Partially. UAS SkyCheck is a Progressive Web App (PWA) and can be installed on iOS and Android. When a check fails due to no network connection, the app serves your last cached result for that location from local storage, clearly labelled with an amber banner showing how old the data is and a Retry button. Up to 10 locations are cached. All live data features (TFRs, METAR, weather, space weather) require an internet connection for fresh results.

Question 34

Can I share my preflight check with a client or site supervisor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After any check result, tap the Share button on the result card. It copies a link like uas-skycheck.app/?lat=...&lng=...&alt=... to your clipboard. When the recipient opens it, it automatically re-runs the check for the same location and altitude so they see live current conditions -- not a screenshot from whenever you ran it. No account required on their end. Commercial pilots often send this before a shoot so the client can see the airspace status and safety score before arrival.

Question 35

I found incorrect airspace or zone data. How do I report it?

Accepted Answer

Email admin@sudokode.co with the location, what you observed, and the official source if you have it. Data corrections are prioritized. Accurate data is the core of the product.

Question 36

What does the airspace map show and how do I read it?

Accepted Answer

The airspace map shows airport control rings color-coded by class (Class B in blue, Class C in purple, Class D in sky blue, Class E surface in indigo) and restricted zones color-coded by restriction type (red for prohibited, orange for permit required, amber for check rules). Tap any zone or airport ring to see its details. The map also shows your exact location as a pulsing pilot pin. The map button subtitle shows the airspace class and restriction status before you even open it -- for example, 'Class D · active restriction' or 'Class G · no restrictions'.

Question 37

My score is high but the fly status says LAANC REQUIRED. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Score and fly status measure different things. The safety score (0-100) reflects weather conditions, airspace factors, and operational risk -- a high score means conditions are favorable. Fly status reflects legal airspace authorization status: CLEAR TO FLY means you are in uncontrolled airspace and can proceed under standard Part 107 rules; LAANC REQUIRED means you are in controlled airspace and need LAANC authorization before flying (even with perfect weather and a score of 100); PERMIT REQUIRED means a state or local authority requires prior authorization. A score of 95 with LAANC REQUIRED status is normal and common -- it just means you are in controlled airspace with good flying conditions.

Question 38

Can I install UAS SkyCheck on my phone like a native app?

Accepted Answer

Yes. UAS SkyCheck is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that installs like a native app on iOS and Android. On iPhone: open uas-skycheck.app in Safari, tap the Share icon, then 'Add to Home Screen'. On Android: tap the browser menu (three dots) and select 'Add to Home Screen' or 'Install App'. Once installed, it opens full-screen without browser chrome and launches directly from your home screen. It also appears in your app switcher. The installed app includes three quick-launch shortcuts: Preflight Check, Blog, and FAQ.

Question 39

Does UAS SkyCheck cover state drone laws?

Accepted Answer

UAS SkyCheck checks your location against all current restricted zones in its database, which includes state-enforced no-fly areas, local park restrictions, and regions where rules vary by local authority. However, state drone statutes (privacy laws, preemption rules, permit requirements for specific land types) are not automated checks -- they require pilot knowledge. The blog at /blog covers drone laws for 25+ states and DC including California, Florida, Texas, New York, Virginia, Illinois, New Jersey, Colorado, Washington, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Utah, Hawaii, and Washington DC.

Question 40

I'm flying in a state park. What do I need to know?

Accepted Answer

Most state parks in the United States prohibit drone takeoff and landing without written authorization from the managing state agency. This is not an airspace rule -- it is a land-use rule, which is why it does not appear as a TFR or restricted zone in FAA data. UAS SkyCheck will show any state park restricted zones it has in its database, but the safest approach is to contact the specific park before arriving. The blog post 'Drone Laws in State Parks' covers the permit process for each state.

Question 41

The app shows no restrictions but I've heard my city banned drones. Which is right?

Accepted Answer

Both can be true. UAS SkyCheck covers FAA-controlled airspace (which is federal and applies everywhere) and the restricted zone database (which includes many but not all local restrictions). Municipal ordinances that restrict drone operations on city property -- parks, beaches, events -- may not appear in FAA data sources. When the app shows clear airspace, it means no federal or known restricted zone applies. It does not guarantee local ordinances are absent. For commercial work in a city's public spaces, check with the local parks or permitting department. The blog's state law series covers major municipal rules for each state.

Question 42

My safety score changed when I re-ran the check at the same location. Why?

Accepted Answer

UAS SkyCheck always fetches live data at check time. The weather components of the score -- wind speed, gusts, visibility, ceiling, precipitation probability, and temperature -- are pulled from Open-Meteo at the moment you run the check. These update hourly. If wind picked up, a cloud layer moved in, or precipitation probability changed between checks, the score will reflect that. Airspace classification does not change between checks. If only the score changed but the fly status and airspace label stayed the same, the difference is almost always weather. The 6-hour forecast strip at the bottom of the result card shows the score projection for the next several hours so you can see trends before they hit.

Question 43

What is density altitude and why does it affect my score?

Accepted Answer

Density altitude is the altitude at which the air is behaving from an aerodynamic standpoint -- not the physical altitude above sea level. Hot, humid, or high-elevation air is less dense, which reduces propeller lift, motor efficiency, and battery performance. A drone in Denver on a 95°F afternoon is flying in air that behaves like much thinner air at altitude, reducing thrust and increasing motor temperature. UAS SkyCheck calculates density altitude from temperature, pressure, and elevation at check time using the standard meteorological formula. A penalty is applied when density altitude exceeds 5,000 ft (moderate reduction) or 8,000 ft (significant reduction). The penalty is inside the weather score cap, so it cannot by itself cause a large score drop, but it stacks with wind and visibility penalties when conditions are otherwise marginal.

Question 44

The airspace map shows a circle around a nearby airport. What does it mean?

Accepted Answer

The circle on the airspace map represents the approximate controlled airspace radius for that airport -- the area where LAANC authorization or manual FAA authorization is required to fly. The color indicates the airspace class: blue for Class B, purple for Class C, cyan for Class D, and dark blue-purple for Class E surface. The radius shown is the UAS Facility Map outer boundary, not a hard cutoff -- LAANC ceiling altitudes vary significantly within the ring (0 ft near the final approach path, higher further out). Always check your specific GPS coordinates against the UAS Facility Map before flying near an airport, rather than estimating from the ring. The check button runs this precise comparison automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

About UAS SkyCheck

Data and Accuracy

Regulatory Questions

Plans and Pricing

Account and Technical

State and Local Rules

Common Pilot Questions