Definition
A published map showing the maximum altitudes around an airport at which the FAA may authorize Part 107 small unmanned aircraft system (drone) operations in controlled airspace without additional safety analysis. Each map divides the airspace surrounding an airport into grid squares, with each square labeled with an altitude ceiling (in feet AGL) at or below which a drone operation is generally considered acceptable from an air-traffic standpoint.
Plain English
It is an FAA map that shows how high a drone can fly in different boxes of airspace around an airport. Each box on the map has a number telling the drone pilot the highest altitude they can usually request near that spot.
Context Anchor
Seen when planning drone operations near airports, especially when requesting FAA authorization to fly in controlled airspace.
Derivation
The name simply combines the components: Unmanned Aircraft System (the drone), Facility (the airport or ATC facility the airspace belongs to), and Map (the visual chart). The term is descriptive rather than borrowed from another language.
Why Pilots Care
They let operators confirm quickly whether a proposed flight can proceed without requesting airspace authorization.
Intuition Check
Do not read UASFM as automatic clearance to fly. It shows likely authorization limits, but the actual approval must still be obtained before the drone flight.
Example Sentence 1
Before filing the LAANC request, she checked the UASFM and saw the grid square over the park was marked 200 feet.
Example Sentence 2
Updated UASFMs are reviewed before any operation near an airport to avoid entering controlled airspace unintentionally.