Aerial Imaging Services in Akron, OH

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in Ohio require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

Ohio does not have a comprehensive state-level drone law regulating commercial UAS operations. The state enacted HB 292 (2018) establishing the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee to study UAS integration, and the Ohio Department of Transportation hosts the Ohio UAS Center which promotes safe drone integration into the national airspace system. Ohio does not require a separate state-level drone license or registration for commercial operators beyond FAA requirements. All commercial drone pilots in Ohio must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and follow federal regulations including airspace authorization via LAANC for operations in controlled airspace. Ohio state parks managed by the Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) require a special use permit for commercial drone operations — contact the individual park office for application. Ohio does not have an explicit state preemption clause for local drone regulations, meaning municipalities may enact their own ordinances regulating takeoff and landing on public property. Operators near military installations (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center in northeast Ohio) must coordinate with base operations and check for active TFRs. The Ohio General Assembly has introduced several UAS-related bills over the years (including SB 255 addressing drone surveillance privacy) but none have been enacted into comprehensive UAS legislation. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland metropolitan areas have extensive Class B and Class C airspace requiring LAANC authorization.

Local Ordinances

The City of Akron does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance. Commercial drone operators conducting business within city limits must hold a valid City of Akron business license. Drone takeoff and landing in Akron parks requires coordination with the Akron Metro Parks system, which manages over 9,000 acres including Sand Run, Cascade Valley, and Gorge Metro Parks. Operations near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park require coordination with the National Park Service — commercial drone operations in national parks are prohibited without a special use permit from the NPS. Operations within CAK Class C or AKR Class D airspace require LAANC authorization. Operations near Goodyear Airship Operations at Wingfoot Lake should coordinate with Goodyear. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance.

Restricted Airspace

• Class C: Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK) Airspace. CAK Class C airspace extends approximately 10 NM from the airport with a 5 NM core surface area up to 3,200 ft MSL and an outer shelf from 1,200 ft AGL to 3,200 ft MSL. The airport is located approximately 10 NM south of downtown Akron in Green, placing southern Akron, Springfield Township, and the I-77 corridor within or near the Class C airspace. Commercial drone operators in southern Akron and the Canton area should check LAANC grid squares. CAK handles commercial service from American, United, and Spirit Airlines plus significant corporate traffic.
• Class D: Akron Fulton International Airport (AKR) Surface Area. AKR Class D airspace extends approximately 4.4 NM from the airport up to 2,500 ft MSL. Akron Fulton is located approximately 3 NM north of downtown, placing much of northern and central Akron within the Class D airspace. Commercial drone operators in downtown Akron, North Hill, and the Cuyahoga River corridor must obtain LAANC authorization before flight. AKR handles significant corporate and general aviation traffic for Akron's business community, including Goodyear blimp operations from the nearby Wingfoot Lake facility.
• Infrastructure: I-76 / I-77 / SR-8 Interchange Complex. Akron's highway infrastructure includes the I-76/I-77 downtown interchange (the Akron Expressway interchange), SR-8 north to Cleveland, and I-76 east to Youngstown. ODOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure. The I-76/I-77 interchange is one of the most complex highway interchanges in the Akron metro area. The Ohio Turnpike (I-80) is accessible via I-77 north, connecting Akron to the national freight network. The Kenmore Leg and the Innerbelt (SR-59) have significant bridge infrastructure requiring periodic inspection.
• Special Use: Goodyear Blimp Operations / Wingfoot Lake. The Goodyear blimp operates from Wingfoot Lake in Suffield, approximately 8 NM southeast of downtown Akron. Blimp operations create low-altitude air traffic in the area, and commercial drone operators should be aware of blimp flight paths and coordinate with Goodyear Airship Operations for flights near the Wingfoot Lake facility. The blimp's slow speed and low altitude create unique airspace considerations that differ from fixed-wing or helicopter traffic. Operators should check for active blimp operations via local NOTAMs or by contacting Goodyear directly.
• Infrastructure: Cuyahoga River / Ohio & Erie Canal Corridor. The Cuyahoga River corridor through Akron includes the Cascade Locks, the Mustill Store historic site, and the Ohio & Erie Canalway — a National Heritage Area. Environmental monitoring of the Cuyahoga River watershed creates demand for drone aerial imaging services. The Akron Water Supply Pollution Control facility and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (approximately 8 NM north) have environmental monitoring and infrastructure inspection considerations. The former tire manufacturing sites along the river corridor have environmental remediation zones requiring coordination with the Ohio EPA.