Aerial Imaging Services in Greenwood, AR

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in Arkansas require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

Arkansas regulates drones primarily through Act 819 of 2019 and Ark. Code Ann. § 5-60-130, which prohibits the use of unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance of a person, place, or thing without consent when a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. The law creates a civil cause of action for persons subjected to unauthorized drone surveillance and restricts law enforcement drone use to require a warrant except in exigent circumstances, search and rescue, and wildfire response. Ark. Code Ann. § 14-361-120 preempts local municipalities from regulating drone flight paths, navigable airspace, or pilot qualifications, though cities may regulate takeoff and landing on public property they own. Arkansas does not require a separate state-level drone license for commercial operators, but all commercial pilots must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Arkansas Department of Aviation maintains UAS guidelines and encourages operators to coordinate with the state aviation director for operations near public-use airports. Arkansas state parks require a permit from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for commercial drone takeoff and landing. Operators near military installations (Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville) must coordinate with base operations and check for active TFRs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. Arkansas has no additional state drone registration requirement beyond FAA registration.

Local Ordinances

Greenwood 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 Greenwood has no specific municipal drone ordinance beyond state law, but commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property requires approval from the Greenwood Parks Commission for Bell Park and other city recreational facilities. Sebastian County requires aerial imaging documentation for major subdivision and site plan submissions in the unincorporated portions of the county. The Greenwood Planning Commission oversees residential and commercial development approvals and accepts drone-generated orthomosaic maps and topographic data collection for site plan submissions. The 188th Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard at Fort Smith Regional Airport operates MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft, creating a unique airspace coordination environment for commercial drone operators in the Greenwood area. Operators near the Camp Chaffee military training boundary should coordinate with the Arkansas National Guard operations office. Greenwood Public Schools requires campus administration approval for drone operations over school property, particularly near athletic facilities.

Restricted Airspace

• Fort Smith Regional Airport (KFSM) is a towered Class D airport approximately 12 NM west of Greenwood in Fort Smith. The Class D airspace extends to a 5 nautical mile radius around KFSM up to 3,100 feet MSL. Commercial drone operators flying within the Class D lateral boundary must obtain LAANC authorization through the FAA DroneZone portal before conducting any flights. KFSM handles commercial airline traffic (American Eagle) and military operations including the 188th Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, which operates MQ-9 Reaper drones from the installation. Check for active TFRs via FAA B4UFLY, especially during military training operations.
• Greenwood Municipal Airport (KRKP) is a non-towered general aviation airport approximately 3 NM northeast of downtown Greenwood. The airport operates under Class E airspace rules with no control tower. Drone operators within 5 nautical miles must notify the airport manager before flying under FAA Part 107.43. KRKP has a single turf runway (Runway 17/35), so avoid the extended runway centerline when conducting low-altitude data collection projects. Monitor CTAF 122.8 for self-announced traffic.
• Camp Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center (Fort Chaffee) is an Arkansas Army National Guard training installation approximately 10 NM west of Greenwood near Barling. The installation hosts military training exercises including artillery, armor, and aviation operations. While there is no permanent TFR over Camp Chaffee, temporary flight restrictions may be issued during active training exercises. Commercial drone operators should check the FAA B4UFLY app for active NOTAMs and TFRs before flying in western Sebastian County. Coordinate with the Arkansas National Guard operations office for any data collection projects near the installation boundary.
• The Arkansas River flows along the northern boundary of Greenwood and is navigable waterway managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Drone takeoff and landing on federal property managed by the Corps requires a special use permit. The Webbers Lock and Dam infrastructure downstream has security exclusion zones, and low-altitude flights over these facilities may trigger security concerns. Coordinate with the Corps of Engineers Russellville office for data collection projects near lock, dam, or flood control infrastructure along the Arkansas River corridor.
• Mount Magazine State Park is approximately 25 NM northeast of Greenwood in the Ozark National Forest. While the park is outside the immediate Greenwood area, commercial drone takeoff and landing on Arkansas state park property requires a permit from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The Ozark National Forest to the north may require special use permits from the US Forest Service for commercial drone operations. Avoid low-altitude flights over wilderness areas and hikers to comply with Arkansas Act 819 of 2019 privacy provisions.