Aerial Imaging Services in Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance. Commercial drone operators conducting business within city limits must hold a valid City of Bowling Green business license. Drone takeoff and landing in Bowling Green parks requires coordination with the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department, which manages over 200 acres including City Park, Wintergarden Park, and the Simpson Garden Park. Operations on the Bowling Green State University campus require coordination with BGSU Public Safety and the Office of Campus Operations. The university has its own drone research programs and manages airspace over campus property. Wood County does not have separate drone regulations beyond federal and state requirements. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance.

Restricted Airspace

• Class D: Toledo Executive Airport (TDZ) Surface Area. TDZ Class D airspace extends approximately 4.4 NM from the airport up to 2,600 ft MSL. TDZ is located approximately 20 miles north of Bowling Green. Bowling Green is well outside this airspace, but operators in northern Wood County should verify their position if flying near the Wood-Lucas county line. LAANC authorization is available for the TDZ Class D surface area. TDZ handles general aviation traffic for the Toledo area.
• Class C: Toledo Express Airport (TOL) Remote Proximity. TOL Class C airspace extends approximately 10 NM from the airport. Bowling Green is approximately 25 miles southeast of TOL, placing the city well outside the Class C boundary. Most of Bowling Green operates in Class E/G uncontrolled airspace, making it accessible for commercial drone operations. Northern Wood County near the Lucas County line may approach the TOL or TDZ airspace boundaries. Operators should check the FAA sectional chart for their specific grid square.
• Infrastructure: I-75 / US-6 / SR-64 Corridor Complex. Bowling Green sits at the I-75 and US-6 interchange, with SR-64 (Main Street) running through the city center. I-75 is the primary north-south interstate connecting Bowling Green to Toledo to the north and Findlay and Dayton to the south. The I-75/US-6 interchange is a major infrastructure node for Wood County. ODOT has active infrastructure inspection programs along these corridors. The Wooster Street and Main Street corridors run through the Bowling Green State University campus and downtown.
• Special Use: Bowling Green State University Campus. Bowling Green State University (BGSU) enrolls approximately 18,000 students and is the dominant institution in the city. The 1,338-acre campus includes academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities (Doyt Perry Stadium, the Stroh Center), and research facilities. Drone operations on campus require coordination with BGSU Public Safety and the Office of Campus Operations. BGSU has its own drone research and education programs. The university's construction projects include residence hall modernization, academic building renovation, and athletic facility upgrades. The Wood County Regional Airport (1G0) is located near the campus.