Aerial Imaging Services in Dublin, 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 Dublin does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance, but commercial drone operators conducting business within city limits must hold a valid City of Dublin business license. Dublin is a planned community with extensive parks and public spaces — drone takeoff and landing in Dublin city parks requires a permit from the Dublin Recreation Services Department. The City of Dublin has been progressive about technology integration and does not restrict commercial drone operations beyond federal and state requirements. Operations in eastern Dublin near the CMH Class C outer shelf or OSU Class D airspace require LAANC authorization depending on exact location and altitude — check the FAA LAANC dashboard before flight. The Bridge Street District development area near the Scioto River may have additional coordination requirements with active construction sites. Commercial operators should carry general liability insurance of at least $1 million for drone aerial imaging on corporate campus and municipal projects. Franklin County does not have separate drone regulations beyond federal and state requirements.

Restricted Airspace

• Class C: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) Outer Shelf. CMH Class C airspace has a 5 NM core surface area up to 4,200 ft MSL and a 10 NM outer shelf from 1,500 ft AGL to 4,200 ft MSL. Dublin sits approximately 15 miles northwest of CMH, placing most of the city within or near the 10 NM outer shelf boundary. Operators in eastern Dublin near the I-270 corridor should check the FAA sectional chart and LAANC grid for their specific operating area, as eastern areas may fall within the CMH Class C outer shelf. LAANC authorization is required for flights above 400 ft AGL within the outer shelf. Western Dublin generally operates in Class E/G uncontrolled airspace.
• Class D: The Ohio State University Airport (OSU) Surface Area. Class D airspace extends approximately 4.5 NM from OSU Airport up to 2,600 ft MSL. OSU is located approximately 12 miles east of Dublin. Most of Dublin is outside this airspace, but operators in eastern Dublin near the Olentangy River corridor should verify their position relative to the OSU Class D boundary before flight. LAANC authorization is available for the OSU Class D surface area.
• Infrastructure: I-270 Outer Belt / US-33 Interchange. The I-270 Columbus outer belt runs through Dublin, and the I-270/US-33 interchange is one of the busiest highway interchanges in central Ohio. The US-33 expressway connects Dublin to southeast Ohio and has been the focus of ongoing improvement projects. Drone operations near highway bridges and interchanges should coordinate with ODOT and follow FAA guidance for critical infrastructure inspection. The Bridge Street corridor along SR-161 is under continuous mixed-use development.
• Special Use: Muirfield Village Golf Club — Memorial Tournament TFR. Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin hosts the Memorial Tournament, a PGA Tour event held annually in late May or early June. During tournament week, the FAA may issue a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) covering the area. Commercial drone operators should check active TFRs via the FAA TFR database or B4UFLY app before scheduling flights during late May and early June. TFRs typically extend 3 nautical miles from the venue up to 3,000 ft AGL.