Environmental Monitoring in Fort Smith, AR

Airports & LAANC Zones

• FSM — Fort Smith Regional Airport (Class D airspace, within city limits — commercial and general aviation)
• Ebbing Air National Guard Base (co-located at FSM — military training airspace, 188th Wing A-10 operations historically, now foreign military sales training)
• HRO — Springdale Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, approximately 65 NM north — general aviation)
• BYH — Pocola-Heavener Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, approximately 15 NM south in Oklahoma)

Restricted Airspace

• Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) Class D airspace extends to 4.5 nautical miles from the airport surface up to 3,200 feet MSL. Commercial drone operations within this radius require LAANC authorization via the FAA B4UFLY app or approved LAANC providers (Aloft, AirMap). The Class D covers much of the central and northern portions of Fort Smith.
• Ebbing Air National Guard Base at Fort Smith Regional Airport hosts military training operations, including the foreign military sales pilot training program. Restricted airspace R-3402 and R-3403 are active in the area for military flight training. Commercial drone operations within 5 NM of the base should coordinate with base operations. Check NOTAMs for active TFRs before any flight near the airport corridor.
• The Arkansas River corridor through Fort Smith has major bridge infrastructure including the Garrison Avenue Bridge (US-64), the I-540 bridge crossing, and the Midland Bridge. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over moving vehicles and non-participants. Barge traffic on the Arkansas River creates additional non-participant safety considerations for drone operators aerial imaging bridge infrastructure.
• Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center, approximately 8 NM east of Fort Smith in Sebastian County, is an Arkansas Army National Guard training installation with restricted airspace (R-3401 A/B/C/D) used for military training operations. Commercial drone operations within 5 NM require coordination with Camp Chaffee range operations. The training center spans over 66,000 acres and creates a significant restricted airspace footprint in the River Valley.
• Devil's Den State Park, approximately 20 NM north in Washington County, is managed by Arkansas State Parks. Commercial drone takeoff and landing on state park land requires a permit from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The park's rugged Boston Mountain terrain and Lee Creek corridor create unique aerial mapping considerations.

Local Ordinances

Fort Smith operates under Arkansas state drone law (Act 819 of 2019) with local regulations limited by Ark. Code Ann. § 14-361-120, which preempts municipalities from regulating drone flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Fort Smith may require permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property, including parks and public facilities. Fort Smith Parks and Recreation manages Creekmore Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, and Ben Geren Regional Park, where commercial drone operations require prior authorization. Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) Class D airspace LAANC authorization is mandatory for commercial operations in the central and northern portions of the city. Ebbing Air National Guard Base and Camp Chaffee restricted airspace require military coordination. The Fort Smith Planning and Development Department requires aerial imaging documentation for major development site plans submitted under the city development code. Arkansas State Parks require a commercial drone permit from the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for takeoff and landing on state park property.