According to 14 CFR Part 107, how may a remote pilot operate an unmanned aircraft in Class C airspace?
AThe remote pilot must have prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.✓ Correct answer
BThe remote pilot must monitor the ATC frequency from launch to recovery.
CThe remote pilot must contact the ATC facility after launching the unmanned aircraft.
Why →Under 14 CFR § 107.41, operations in Class B, C, D, and surface Class E airspace require prior authorization from the ATC facility with jurisdiction. The standard method is through the FAA's LAANC system (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), which provides near-real-time authorizations.
The trap →Remote pilots are not required to carry radios or monitor ATC frequencies; that is a manned-aviation habit. And contacting ATC after launch is backwards: authorization comes before flight.
Field note →LAANC is the fastest path to Class C authorization. Approvals come through FAA-approved apps like Aloft or ForeFlight in seconds. Manual authorization requests through FAA DroneZone can take up to 90 days.