UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
I began the drone flight to inspect the subject property roof thinking I had the automated FAA authorization to fly in the Class D ZZZ airspace. After realizing that I had not written down the authorization on my work order I immediately discontinued the flight and landed the drone. I then tried to obtain the automated approval through the Airmap application. Per the Airmap application; approvals up to 400 feet could be obtained; however; the application stated that the approval was not available on an automated basis at that time. Flight was discontinued. The max height the drone climbed to was 110 feet without approval for a period less than a couple of minutes. Pilot error was not obtaining approval before flight. The pilot thought the approval was already obtained which was the reason the drone flight was started. Future corrective action is to include the approval verification in the preflight checklist.
UAV pilot reported pilot error in not obtaining authorization for the flight.