Aerial Imagery in Flint, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• FNT — Bishop International Airport (Class C airspace, located within Flint city limits on the southwest side, handles commercial airline service and corporate aviation, approximately 200,000 annual passengers, major Genesee County aviation facility)
• PTK — Oakland County International Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 25 NM south in Waterford Township, one of the busiest GA airports in Michigan)
• DTW — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 55 NM south in Romulus, major international commercial airport)

Restricted Airspace

• Bishop International Airport (FNT) Class C airspace directly affects Flint. The airport is within Flint city limits on the southwest side. FNT Class C extends from the surface up to 3,000-4,000 feet MSL. Most of Flint falls within or near FNT Class C, requiring LAANC authorization for commercial drone operations. The airport handles commercial service (American, Southwest) and significant corporate aviation for General Motors and healthcare operations. Commercial operators should check LAANC grid squares for all locations in Flint.
• The I-75 and I-475 interchange complex in Flint has critical infrastructure considerations. MDOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure. The I-75 corridor through Flint is a major north-south commercial corridor connecting Detroit to northern Michigan. The I-475 loop through downtown Flint and the Robert T. Longway Bridge over the Flint River are major infrastructure assets requiring periodic inspection. The Chevrolet Avenue bridges and the Kearsley Street overpass have ongoing inspection demand.
• Flint is home to several major facilities including the General Motors Flint Assembly plant (manufacturing Chevrolet Silverado trucks), the GM Flint Metal Center, and the McLaren Flint hospital campus. Industrial and healthcare facilities have enhanced security considerations for commercial drone operations. The GM Flint Assembly complex on Van Slyke Road is one of the largest manufacturing facilities in Michigan and has ongoing construction and renovation activity. Operations near GM facilities should coordinate with corporate security.
• The Flint River corridor through downtown Flint has environmental monitoring and flood control infrastructure. The river has been the subject of significant environmental remediation efforts and infrastructure upgrades. The Flint Riverfront Restoration Project includes dam removal, riverbank stabilization, and waterfront development. Environmental monitoring of the Flint River watershed creates demand for drone aerial imaging services along the corridor. The U of M Flint campus and Kettering University border the river and have facility construction activity.
• Kettering University and the University of Michigan Flint campus have educational facility security considerations. Kettering University is a leading engineering and automotive technology institution with research facilities and the GM Mobility Research Center. The U of M Flint campus includes the William S. White Building and downtown campus expansion. Operations near university facilities should coordinate with campus administration. The Hamilton Dam removal and riverfront restoration project creates ongoing construction monitoring demand.

Local Ordinances

Flint 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 Flint requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in city parks requires coordination with the Flint Parks and Recreation Department, including the Flint Riverfront, Max Brandon Park, and Riverbank Park. Operations near FNT Class C airspace require LAANC authorization. Operations near GM Flint Assembly should coordinate with corporate security. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.