Aerial Imaging Services in Albany, NY

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

New York regulates drone operations through a combination of criminal surveillance statutes, state park rules, and local ordinances. New York Penal Law 250.55 (amended 2023) classifies unlawful surveillance conducted via unmanned aerial vehicle as a Class E felony, prohibiting the use of drones to capture images of individuals in private settings without consent. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation requires a commercial use permit under 9 NYCRR 375.1 for drone operations in all state parks and historic sites. New York does not require a separate state-level commercial drone license or registration, but all commercial operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with the FAA. New York City has additional local restrictions — Local Law 152 of 2024 requires permits for commercial drone filming on city property and within certain NYC parks. Westchester County parks require a permit from the Westchester County Parks Department. The state does not broadly preempt local municipalities, meaning individual cities and towns may enact their own drone ordinances governing takeoff, landing, and operation on public property. Commercial operators near military installations (West Point Military Reservation, Watervliet Arsenal, Stewart Air National Guard Base) must coordinate with base operations and check NOTAMs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL and LAANC authorization is available for Class B and C airspace across the NYC metro region.

Local Ordinances

Albany is governed by New York state drone law (NY Penal Law 250.55) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Albany requires a permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city property, issued through the Albany Department of Recreation. City parks including Washington Park, Lincoln Park, and the Corning Preserve (Hudson River waterfront trail) require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The Albany Heritage Area and historic districts (including the Mansion Historic District, the Pine Hills Historic District, and the Center Square Historic District) may require review from the Albany Historic Resources Commission for commercial drone filming of historic structures. Albany County parks (including the Albany County Rail Trail and Six Mile Waterworks) require a commercial use permit from the Albany County Parks Department. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires a film permit from the Capital Region Film Office. New York State parks require a permit under 9 NYCRR 375.1. The Empire State Plaza and State Capitol complex are state-managed property requiring authorization from the NYS Office of General Services for commercial drone operations. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within ALB Class C or SCH Class D airspace boundaries.

Restricted Airspace

• Albany International Airport (ALB) has Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius surface area and outer shelf extending to 10 NM. The Class C covers Albany, Colonie, Guilderland, and parts of Troy and Latham. Commercial drone operations within the ALB Class C lateral boundaries require LAANC authorization. ALB is the primary commercial airport for the Capital District with significant passenger, cargo, and corporate aviation traffic. Downtown Albany is within the Class C outer shelf area.
• Schenectady County Airport (SCH) has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area, located approximately 8 NM northwest of Albany. The airport hosts the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard, which operates C-130 Hercules and LC-130 ski-equipped aircraft for polar and military missions. The 109th Wing conducts heavy airlift training in the Capital District region, and drone operators in northwestern Albany and the town of Colonie should check SCH Class D boundaries and NOTAMs for military flight activity. LC-130 operations are unique to this unit.
• The New York State Capitol, Empire State Plaza, and state government complex in downtown Albany have enhanced security airspace considerations. While there is no permanent TFR over the state capitol, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are issued during high-profile government events, VIP visits, and National Guard deployments. Commercial drone operators flying near the state capitol, the Governor's residence, and state office buildings should check active NOTAMs and TFRs before each flight. The Albany FBI field office and federal courthouse also warrant airspace awareness.
• Watervliet Arsenal, located approximately 8 NM north of Albany on the Hudson River, is an active U.S. Army manufacturing facility producing tank cannon and artillery tubes. The arsenal has security restrictions on aerial photography, and commercial drone operators flying near the facility should coordinate with arsenal security. While there is no restricted airspace directly over Watervliet Arsenal, the facility is within the SCH Class D area and operators should check for military helicopter traffic from the arsenal.
• The Hudson River corridor north of Albany has moderate commercial and recreational traffic including barge traffic, recreational boats, and occasional helicopter traffic. The Albany-Rensselaer bridge area and the Port of Albany have commercial shipping and industrial traffic. Drone operators flying near the Hudson River waterfront, the Port of Albany, and the Albany rail yards should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic from news, medevac, and State Police aviation units.