Aerial Imaging Services in Hattiesburg, MS

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Mississippi regulates drone operations primarily through MS Code § 97-29-59, which prohibits using drones to conduct surveillance of or record images on private property without consent, and classifies violations as a misdemeanor. Mississippi does not require a separate state-level commercial drone license beyond the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, but operators must register their aircraft with the FAA and maintain visual line of sight. The state prohibits drone flights over correctional facilities, schools, and critical infrastructure including electrical substations and public water facilities. Mississippi is an FAA Part 107 state — local municipalities may add park-specific restrictions but cannot override federal airspace authority. Operators flying near Memphis International Airport Class B airspace must coordinate with MEM ATC or use LAANC for authorization. Always check for TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) before flying near the Tennessee-Mississippi border region.

Local Ordinances

Hattiesburg does not have a dedicated municipal drone ordinance, but city park regulations prohibit drone takeoff and landing in municipal parks without a permit from the Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation Department. The Longleaf Trace, a 44-mile recreational trail managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, passes through the city and has restrictions on drone use along the trail corridor. Hattiesburg sits in Class E airspace near Bobby L Chain Municipal Airport — while LAANC authorization is not strictly required, operators should notify HBG Unicom on 122.8 when flying near the airport pattern. Camp Shelby military training areas 12 NM south require NOTAM checks before any flight in southern Forrest County. Contact Hattiesburg City Hall at (601) 545-4500 for park use permits.

Restricted Airspace

• Class E: Bobby L Chain Municipal Airport Vicinity. HBG is a general aviation airport without controlled Class D airspace, but drone operators should maintain awareness of traffic patterns and check for NOTAMs. The airport lies within the western side of Hattiesburg and serves corporate, medical, and general aviation traffic. While LAANC authorization is not required for Class E airspace, operators should notify HBG Unicom on 122.8 when flying near the airport traffic pattern. Check the FAA B4UFLY app before any flight.
• Military: Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center. Camp Shelby is the largest National Guard training site in the United States, located 12 NM south of Hattiesburg. The installation conducts heavy armor, artillery, and helicopter training including AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk operations. Military operations areas extend into the airspace between Hattiesburg and Camp Shelby. Drone operators should check NOTAMs for active training schedules and avoid the Camp Shelby perimeter. The installation generates significant military construction demand requiring federal-compliant aerial mapping work.
• Critical Infrastructure: Enterprise Electric Power Substations (Forrest County). Electrical substations and transmission infrastructure operated by Enterprise Electric Power Association serve the Hattiesburg area. These facilities are designated critical infrastructure under Mississippi state law. Drone surveillance of electrical facilities without authorization is prohibited. Coordinate with Enterprise Electric Power Association for any data collection work near substations or transmission corridors, particularly along the US-98 and I-59 development corridors.
• Stadium/Venue: M.M. Roberts Stadium (University of Southern Mississippi). Home of Southern Miss football, hosting large crowds during game days. Drone flights over the stadium during events are prohibited under FAA Part 107.39 (operations over people). The USM campus includes multiple venues including Reed-Green Coliseum and Pete Taylor Park (baseball) that require TFR awareness during sporting events. Coordinate with USM Campus Police for any approved aerial work on campus.
• Hospital/Medical: Forrest General Hospital Campus. Forrest General Hospital is a regional medical center with helicopter medevac operations. Air ambulance helicopter flights occur frequently from the hospital helipad. Drone operators should maintain awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic when flying near the hospital campus and along medevac flight corridors. The hospital is undergoing ongoing expansion requiring construction monitoring and aerial documentation.