Flight Plans MUST be submitted by a pilot registered with SMU and the drone must have been registered with SMU and the FAA prior to submission. This flight plan will be approved during business hours within 1 week. Flight plans should be submitted at least 7 days before a flight is scheduled.

For most recreational drone users, you do not need to file a formal flight plan with aviation authorities (like the FAA in the US or CAA in the UK) for a standard flight in "Uncontrolled" (Class G) airspace. However, you are legally required to check an airspace map (like B4UFLY or DJI’s FlySafe) before every takeoff to ensure you aren't in a "No Fly Zone" or restricted area. If you wish to fly in Controlled Airspace (near airports), you must obtain authorization. In the US, this is done via LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), which provides near-instant digital "flight plans" that the FAA can see. For commercial drone pilots (Part 107 in the US), a more detailed record-keeping process is often required for insurance and liability, and some complex operations (like flying over people or at night) used to require waivers, though many of these are now integrated into standard rules. As of 2026, many countries also require "Remote ID," which acts as an electronic "flight plan" broadcasted in real-time, allowing authorities to track the drone's position and owner ID for safety and security.