Drone Inspection in Farmington Hills, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• PTK — Oakland County International Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 8 NM north in Waterford Township, one of the busiest GA airports in Michigan with significant corporate jet traffic)
• DTW — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 28 NM south in Romulus, major international commercial airport serving Metro Detroit)
• DET — Coleman A. Young International Airport (formerly Detroit City Airport, Class D airspace, approximately 16 NM southeast in Detroit, handles general aviation and limited cargo)

Restricted Airspace

• Oakland County International Airport (PTK) Class D airspace extends approximately 4.4 NM from the airport up to 3,000 feet MSL. The airport is approximately 8 NM north of Farmington Hills. Northern Farmington Hills operations near the 14 Mile Road corridor may approach PTK Class D boundaries. LAANC authorization is available through FAA-approved providers for the PTK Class D area.
• The I-696 and I-275 interchange complex on the eastern edge of Farmington Hills has critical infrastructure considerations. MDOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure. The I-696 corridor through southern Farmington Hills is one of the busiest commuter corridors in Metro Detroit. The 12 Mile Road and Orchard Lake Road bridges over I-696 are major infrastructure assets requiring periodic inspection.
• Farmington Hills is home to several major corporate facilities including the Bosch North American headquarters campus, Hitachi Automotive Systems, and numerous automotive supplier and technology offices along the Northwestern Highway and 12 Mile Road corridors. Corporate campuses have enhanced security considerations for commercial drone operations. The Orchard Lake Road office corridor and the Twelve Oaks area have active construction monitoring demand.
• Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills (Corewell Health) campus has medical facility security considerations. The hospital complex on Orchard Lake Road includes emergency facilities, surgical centers, and medical office buildings. Operations near the hospital campus should coordinate with Corewell Health security. Medical facility construction and renovation creates ongoing demand for drone aerial imaging and inspection services.
• The Rouge River corridor through eastern Farmington Hills has environmental monitoring and flood control infrastructure. The river flows through several park properties managed by the Farmington Hills Parks and Recreation Department, including Heritage Park and the Farmington Hills Nature Center. Environmental monitoring of the Rouge River watershed creates demand for drone aerial imaging services along the corridor.

Local Ordinances

Farmington Hills operates under the Michigan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (Public Act 451 of 2016, MCL 259.301 et seq.) which preempts local regulation of drone flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Farmington Hills requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in city parks requires coordination with the Farmington Hills Parks and Recreation Department, including Heritage Park, Founders Sports Park, and the Nature Center. Operations near Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills should coordinate with Corewell Health security. Operations near PTK Class D airspace may require LAANC authorization. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.