Aerial Imaging Services in Charlottesville, 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

Charlottesville is governed by Virginia state drone law (VA Code § 18.2-260.2 and § 15.2-926.3) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Charlottesville regulates drone takeoff and landing on public property under its municipal authority per § 15.2-926.3. Commercial drone operations in Charlottesville city parks including McIntire Park, Washington Park, and Riverview Park require authorization from the Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Department. The Rivanna River Trail and the Saunders-Monticello Trail require permits for commercial drone operations on trail property. Albemarle County parks require a commercial use permit. Shenandoah National Park, approximately 20 NM northwest, is NPS-administered and prohibits drone operations without a special use permit. The University of Virginia campus flights should be coordinated with UVA security and facilities management due to the medical center helipad and research aircraft activity. The Monticello estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site administered by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, prohibits unauthorized drone operations over the property. Commercial drone filming for construction documentation or real estate marketing on private property requires property owner consent but no city film permit. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within CHO Class D airspace boundaries.

Restricted Airspace

• Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area from the surface up to 3,000 feet MSL. The Class D covers northern Albemarle County including the airport vicinity, the U.S. Route 29 corridor, and areas toward Earlysville and Ruckersville. Most of downtown Charlottesville and the University of Virginia campus are outside the 4 NM radius, but operators flying in northern Albemarle County should check boundaries. LAANC authorization is required and available for commercial drone operations within the CHO Class D lateral boundaries.
• The University of Virginia has enhanced security considerations around the Rotunda, the Lawn, and the medical center complex. While there is no permanent TFR over the university, temporary flight restrictions may be issued during high-profile events, graduations, VIP visits, and football games at Scott Stadium. The UVA Medical Center and UVA Children's Hospital have active helipads for medevac operations, and drone operators flying near the hospital complex should maintain situational awareness of helicopter traffic. UVA also conducts UAS research through its School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Link Lab for atmospheric and environmental research.
• Shenandoah National Park is located approximately 20 NM northwest of Charlottesville, with the park boundary along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is administered by the National Park Service, which prohibits drone operations on or over NPS-administered lands without a special use permit. Skyline Drive is also NPS-restricted. Commercial operators flying in western Albemarle County, near Crozet, or in the Greenwood area should verify their location does not encroach on park lands. The park boundary is close enough to the Crozet and White Hall communities that operators must exercise caution.
• The Charlottesville downtown area has occasional helicopter traffic including medevac flights to UVA Medical Center, news helicopters during events, and Virginia State Police aviation. The Downtown Mall pedestrian area and the Sprint Pavilion event venue create safety considerations for drone operations. While there is no permanent TFR over downtown, temporary restrictions may apply during festivals, the Charlottesville Tom Sox baseball games, and community events. Operators should check NOTAMs before flying near downtown event venues.
• The Albemarle County rural areas have moderate agricultural and forestry aircraft traffic, particularly during growing season. Vineyards in the Monticello AVA wine region between Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains attract tourism helicopter and small aircraft traffic. Drone operators flying near vineyard properties, particularly along the Monticello Wine Trail, should maintain awareness of low-altitude aircraft traffic. The rural countryside does not have controlled airspace but safety considerations apply for aerial application and tourism flights.