Aerial Imaging Services in Blacksburg, VA

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Virginia regulates drone operations through a combination of criminal surveillance statutes, local government authority provisions, and law enforcement warrant requirements. Virginia Code § 18.2-260.2 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to use a drone to trespass and conduct surveillance of another person without consent, capturing images or video of individuals in private settings. Virginia Code § 19.2-60.1 requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before using drones for surveillance, with exceptions for search and rescue, amber alerts, and emergency situations. Virginia Code § 15.2-926.3 grants local governments authority to regulate drone takeoff and landing on public property, including parks, schools, and government buildings, but explicitly prohibits localities from regulating drone flight paths, navigation, or airspace — those remain under exclusive federal (FAA) jurisdiction under 49 USC § 40103. The Virginia Department of Aviation provides UAS guidance and encourages coordination with airport operators. All commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with the FAA. LAANC authorization is available for controlled airspace around major Virginia airports including Dulles (IAD), Reagan National (DCA), Richmond (RIC), Norfolk (ORF), and others. Virginia state parks require a special use permit for commercial drone operations under DCR regulations. Military installations in Virginia — including Quantico Marine Corps Base, Fort Belvoir, Naval Station Norfolk, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, and Dahlgren — have restricted airspace and TFRs that require coordination with base operations and NOTAM checks.

Local Ordinances

Blacksburg is governed by Virginia state drone law (VA Code § 18.2-260.2 and § 15.2-926.3) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The Town of Blacksburg regulates drone takeoff and landing on public property under its municipal authority per § 15.2-926.3, which grants localities the power to manage public property use but prohibits local regulation of airspace or flight paths. Commercial drone operations in Blacksburg town parks including Hethwood Park, Nellies Cave Park, and Heritage Park require authorization from the Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Department. Virginia Tech campus is public university property managed by the Virginia Tech Division of Student Affairs and the Virginia Tech Police Department; commercial drone operations on campus require coordination with the Virginia Tech UAS Policy Committee and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. The Virginia Tech Drone Park on Plantation Road is the designated UAS test site managed by MAAP and requires prior coordination for any commercial or research flights. Montgomery County parks require a commercial use permit. The Jefferson National Forest to the west is USFS-administered and allows Part 107 operations but may require permits for commercial filming. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within BCB Class D airspace boundaries.

Restricted Airspace

• Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport (BCB), located adjacent to Blacksburg town limits, has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area from the surface up to 3,000 feet MSL. Most of central Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech campus fall within the BCB Class D lateral boundaries. The airport handles significant corporate jet, turboprop, and helicopter traffic serving Virginia Tech university operations and local industry. LAANC authorization is required and available for commercial drone operations within the BCB Class D area. Operators should check the FAA B4UFLY app for specific shelf boundaries at their flight location.
• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), located approximately 45 NM northeast of Blacksburg, has Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius surface area and outer rings extending to 10 NM. The ROA Class C does not extend into Blacksburg town limits but affects operators flying in eastern Montgomery County toward the Roanoke area. LAANC authorization is required and available for commercial operations within ROA Class C boundaries.
• The Virginia Tech Drone Park, located on Plantation Road approximately 2 miles from main campus, is a designated UAS test facility operated by the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), one of seven FAA-designated UAS Test Sites. The Drone Park has specific operational protocols and is used for research, testing, and education. Commercial operators should coordinate with MAAP before flying near the Drone Park. MAAP also manages UAS research flights across the New River Valley and has established communication protocols with BCB air traffic control.
• The Jefferson National Forest borders Montgomery County to the west and north, with extensive forest lands extending into the Allegheny Mountains. The national forest is administered by the U.S. Forest Service, which allows drone operations under FAA Part 107 but may require special use permits for commercial filming or photography on forest lands. Operators flying in western Montgomery County near the forest boundary should check USFS regulations. The forest has active timber management and prescribed burn operations that may create temporary airspace considerations and TFRs.
• Blacksburg is home to Virginia Tech athletic facilities including Lane Stadium, Cassell Coliseum, and the Beamer-Lawson Practice Facility. NCAA and university events can generate temporary flight restrictions under FAA regulations for outdoor sporting events with 30,000+ spectators (Lane Stadium capacity is approximately 66,000). Commercial drone operators should check NOTAMs for TFRs during home football games, graduation ceremonies, and major university events. The TFR typically extends 3 NM from the venue and from surface to 3,000 feet AGL.