Aerial Imaging Services in Batavia, IL

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Illinois regulates commercial drone operations primarily through the Drones Omnibus Act (720 ILCS 5/48-1 through 48-5), enacted as Public Act 99-0566 and effective January 1, 2017. The Act prohibits using drones for surveillance of individuals without consent, restricts law enforcement drone use without a warrant, and bans drone harassment. Commercial drone operators in Illinois must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and comply with all federal regulations including LAANC authorization for controlled airspace. Illinois does not require a separate state-level drone license or registration beyond FAA requirements. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Aeronautics provides regulatory guidance and coordinates with the FAA on airspace matters. Illinois has state preemption language limiting local municipalities from enacting drone regulations that conflict with state or federal law, though Chicago maintains its own drone ordinance under the Chicago Municipal Code (10-36-070) requiring registration with the city for commercial operations within city limits. Operators near military installations (Naval Station Great Lakes, Scott Air Force Base, Rock Island Arsenal) must coordinate with base operations and check for active TFRs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. The Chicago metropolitan area has extensive Class B (O'Hare) and Class C (Midway) airspace requiring LAANC authorization for most urban drone operations.

Local Ordinances

The City of Batavia does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance beyond state law, but commercial drone operators conducting business within city limits must hold a valid City of Batavia business registration. Drone takeoff and landing in Batavia city parks requires coordination with the Batavia Park District. Operations near Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) require coordination with laboratory security and the Department of Energy, as unauthorized flights over the federal facility are prohibited. The Illinois Drones Omnibus Act (720 ILCS 5/48) prohibits surveillance of individuals without consent and restricts drone use over private property. Commercial operators should carry general liability insurance of at least $1 million for drone aerial imaging on city-related projects. Drone flights over the Batavia Public Library, Batavia Government Center, and Batavia High School campus should coordinate with facility administration. Operations near the Batavia Riverwalk and Fox River Trail should avoid wildlife disturbance during nesting seasons and maintain safe distances from pedestrians and cyclists. The Batavia Historic District along Wilson Street and Main Street has preservation requirements that may affect aerial mapping and documentation work.

Restricted Airspace

• Class B: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Surface Area. O'Hare Class B airspace extends in a layered structure up to 10,000 ft MSL covering a large portion of the western Chicago suburbs. Batavia sits approximately 25 miles northeast of ORD at the western edge of the Class B lateral boundaries. While the core Class B shelves are east and northeast of Batavia, approach and departure corridors for ORD traffic can affect higher-altitude drone operations in the area. Commercial drone operators in eastern Batavia and along the IL-38 corridor should check LAANC grid squares for altitude restrictions. ORD handles over 900,000 annual aircraft operations, making airspace coordination essential for any drone aerial imaging missions in the eastern portions of the city.
• Class D: Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) Surface Area. Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, approximately 20 miles northeast of Batavia, has Class D airspace extending approximately 4.4 NM from the airport up to 3,000 ft AGL. While Batavia itself is outside the PWK Class D lateral boundaries, the airport is a major general aviation and corporate jet hub in the Chicago suburbs. Drone operators traveling between Batavia and the northern suburbs should be aware of this airspace. PWK handles significant corporate and charter traffic, and LAANC authorization is required for operations within its Class D boundaries.
• Class D: Schaumburg Regional Airport (06C) Surface Area. Schaumburg Regional Airport, approximately 18 miles northeast of Batavia, has Class D airspace extending approximately 4.4 NM from the airport. While Batavia is outside the 06C Class D lateral boundaries, the airport serves the northwest suburban corridor with general aviation traffic. Drone operators conducting missions in the Schaumburg area or traveling between Batavia and the northeast suburbs must obtain LAANC authorization within the 06C controlled airspace. The airport's proximity to the Woodfield business district creates additional aerial imaging demand in the region.
• Infrastructure: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) Restricted Area. Fermilab, located immediately east of Batavia in Batavia Township, is a US Department of Energy national laboratory with a 6,800-acre campus straddling the Batavia-Warrenville boundary. While Fermilab does not have formal FAA-designated restricted airspace, the facility maintains strict security protocols and the Department of Energy prohibits unauthorized drone flights over the laboratory grounds. The site includes sensitive scientific infrastructure including particle accelerators, cryogenic facilities, and underground experimental areas. Commercial drone operators must coordinate with Fermilab security and the Department of Energy before any flights near or over the laboratory property. The lab's campus is a significant land feature in eastern Batavia and its presence creates unique airspace considerations for drone aerial imaging in the area.
• Infrastructure: Fox River Bridge Corridors and IL-38 / IL-25 Transportation Routes. The Fox River runs through the center of Batavia with multiple bridge structures requiring periodic inspection, including the Wilson Street bridge, Main Street bridge, and State Street (IL-31) bridge. Illinois Routes 38 (Roosevelt Road) and 25 (River Street) are key transportation corridors through the city with ongoing maintenance and improvement projects. The Union Pacific Railroad line runs through Batavia creating additional infrastructure aerial imaging demand. Drone operations near highway bridges, rail crossings, and interchanges should coordinate with IDOT and follow FAA guidance for critical infrastructure inspection. The Fox River Trail through Batavia is a popular recreation corridor where operators should exercise caution and maintain safe distances from pedestrians and cyclists.