Topographic Data Collection in Cambridge, MA

Airports & LAANC Zones

• BOS — Boston Logan International Airport (Class B airspace, 4 NM southeast — major international hub; LAANC required, all of Cambridge under BOS Class B lateral boundaries)
• BED — Laurence G. Hanscom Field (Class D airspace, 14 NM northwest in Bedford, MA — busiest GA airport in New England; LAANC available)
• AFB — Hanscom Air Force Base (military airspace, 14 NM northwest in Bedford, MA — coordinated with BED Class D; check NOTAMs for military TFRs)

Restricted Airspace

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Class B airspace covers all of Cambridge, including Kendall Square, Harvard Square, Central Square, Inman Square, Porter Square, and Alewife. The BOS Class B surface area extends from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL with multiple concentric rings. Cambridge is within the inner ring of the BOS Class B. Commercial drone operations anywhere in Cambridge require LAANC authorization through Aloft or DroneUp. The Charles River corridor and Memorial Drive have additional BOS approach/departure traffic patterns to consider.
• Hanscom Field (BED) Class D airspace extends 4.4 NM from the airport surface to 2,600 feet MSL in Bedford, Lincoln, Concord, and Lexington. While Cambridge is outside the BED Class D, operators in North Cambridge and Alewife should be aware of traffic patterns from BED, which is 14 NM northwest. LAANC authorization is available for the BED Class D area.
• Critical infrastructure restrictions under MGL Ch. 90 § 48C include MIT research facilities, Harvard University laboratories, the Broad Institute, and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. Additional FAA restrictions apply within 3 NM of Harvard Stadium during events with 30,000+ attendees (FAA 99.7 TFR). The MIT campus has specific institutional drone policies requiring coordination with MIT Environment, Health and Safety Office.
• The Charles River and the Esplanade corridor between Cambridge and Boston are under DCR jurisdiction. Commercial drone takeoff and landing along the Charles River requires DCR special use permits. The Fresh Pond Reservation and the Alewife Brook Reservation are under DCR and City of Cambridge jurisdiction, requiring authorization for commercial drone operations.
• Stadium TFRs (FAA 99.7) affect Cambridge when Harvard Stadium hosts events with 30,000+ attendees. The 3 NM TFR radius extends into parts of Cambridge, Allston, and Brighton. Commercial operators should check NOTAMs and the FAA B4UFLY app before flying near Harvard Stadium during football season or major events.

Local Ordinances

Cambridge is governed by Massachusetts state drone law (MGL Ch. 90 § 48C, 2024) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Cambridge has a municipal ordinance restricting drone takeoff and landing in public parks and open spaces without a permit from the Cambridge Recreation Division. City parks including Fresh Pond Reservation, Danehy Park, and Cambridge Common require explicit authorization for commercial drone operations. The Massachusetts DCR prohibits drone operations in state parks and reservations under 350 CMR 12.00. The Charles River corridor and the Alewife Brook Reservation are under DCR jurisdiction. Harvard University and MIT both have institutional drone policies requiring coordination with their respective Environment, Health and Safety offices for any commercial drone operations on or near campus property. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires a film permit from the Cambridge Arts Council and coordination with the Cambridge Police Department. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for all of Cambridge due to BOS Class B airspace. Harvard Stadium TFRs (FAA 99.7) may affect operations during major events.