Topographic Data Collection in Great Falls, MT

Airports & LAANC Zones

• GTF — Great Falls International Airport (Class D airspace, 4 miles southwest, controlled airspace requiring LAANC for commercial drone ops within 4 NM, third-busiest airport in Montana)
• JCT — Choteau Airport (Class E airspace, 30 miles west, general aviation, uncontrolled)
• HVR — Havre City-County Airport (Class E airspace, 90 miles northeast, general aviation reference for north-central Montana)
• LWT — Lewistown Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, 100 miles southeast, general aviation, no control tower)

Restricted Airspace

• Great Falls International Airport (GTF) has Class D airspace extending from the surface to 7,400 feet MSL within 4 nautical miles of the airport. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone operations within this controlled airspace. GTF handles approximately 300,000 passengers annually with commercial service from United, Delta, and Allegiant. The airport is located 4 miles southwest of downtown Great Falls, with approach corridors extending along the Missouri River valley. Drone operators must use the FAA B4UFLY app or approved LAANC providers (Aloft, AirMap) for authorization before flying within the Class D surface area. GTF air traffic control tower frequency is 119.5 MHz.
• Malmstrom Air Force Base, located 10 miles east of Great Falls, is a major active military installation with restricted airspace. The base operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch facilities across a vast area of north-central Montana. The base has its own Class D airspace and restricted areas (R-2301, R-2302) that prohibit unauthorized drone flights entirely. FAA Part 107 commercial drone operators must never fly over, near, or within the restricted airspace surrounding Malmstrom AFB without explicit authorization from the base. The base flight operations include helicopter missions and security patrols. Contact Malmstrom AFB Public Affairs at (406) 731-4050 for any commercial drone operations within 10 miles of the installation. Violations carry severe federal penalties under 18 USC 1307 and 32 CFR 903.
• The Missouri River corridor running through Great Falls includes a series of hydroelectric dams operated by PPL Montana/NorthWestern Energy: Rainbow Dam, Cochrane Dam, Ryan Dam, and Black Eagle Dam. These facilities are classified as critical infrastructure under FAA regulations. Drone operations over or near hydroelectric dams and associated powerhouses are restricted under FAA Part 107 and may trigger federal critical infrastructure protection regulations. The dams have security perimeters and surveillance systems. Drone operators should maintain a minimum 500-foot lateral distance from dam infrastructure unless authorized, and should never fly directly over penstocks, spillways, or powerhouses. The Great Falls of the Missouri River — the namesake of the city — is a series of cascading waterfalls visible from Ryan Island Park and Giant Springs Heritage State Park.
• The Calumet Montana Refining facility in Great Falls is a petroleum refinery classified as critical infrastructure under FAA regulations. The refinery processes approximately 60,000 barrels per day of crude oil from the Bakken formation and Canada. Drone operations over or near the refinery and associated tank farms are restricted under FAA Part 107 and may trigger federal critical infrastructure protection regulations. The refinery is located on the north side of the city along the Missouri River. Drone operators should maintain a minimum 500-foot lateral distance from refinery infrastructure unless authorized, and should never fly directly over pipeline corridors or tank farms. The refinery area has rail spur infrastructure and tank farm facilities that require additional coordination with facility operators.
• Giant Springs State Park and Heritage State Park, located 5 miles northeast of downtown along the Missouri River, requires Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks permits for commercial drone operations. The park features one of the largest freshwater springs in the United States and the Roe River, once listed as the shortest river in the world. The park attracts large numbers of visitors, especially during summer. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants. The adjacent First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park 15 miles southwest also requires FWP permits. Commercial drone operators conducting real estate, data collection, or mapping work near these state parks should contact the FWP regional office in Great Falls for special use permits.

Local Ordinances

Great Falls does not have a comprehensive city-specific drone ordinance, relying on FAA Part 107 regulations and Montana state law. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Great Falls Parks and Recreation Department requires authorization for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned park property, including Gibson Park, Lions Park, and Broadwater Bay. Operations near Great Falls International Airport (GTF) require LAANC authorization for the Class D surface area within 4 NM of the airport. Malmstrom Air Force Base restricted airspace (R-2301, R-2302) prohibits all unauthorized drone flights within 10 miles of the installation. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks requires permits for drone operations in state parks, including Giant Springs State Park and First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. The Calumet Montana Refining facility is critical infrastructure with FAA Part 107 restrictions on overflights. Montana Code Annotated § 60-1-101 includes drones in the definition of aircraft, but the state defers to FAA authority for Part 107 commercial operations.