Aerial Imaging Services in Hershey, PA
Chocolate town institutional anchors — Hershey's drone aerial imaging demand flows from The Hershey Company corporate campus, Hersheypark ride construction, and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center expansion, set in the rolling Dauphin County countryside near MDT Class C airspace.
With about 25,200 people in Dauphin, Hershey is a community in the Harrisburg-Carlisle MSA of Pennsylvania. Hershey is an unincorporated census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, approximately 12 miles east of Harrisburg. With a population of approximately 25,200, it is known worldwide as "The Sweetest Place on Earth," home to The Hershey Company headquarters, Hersheypark, and Hershey's Chocolate World. The community was founded by Milton S. Hershey as a model company town and remains anchored by three major institutions: The Hershey Company (corporate and manufacturing), Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (theme park, resorts, and attractions), and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (a major academic medical center and Level I trauma center). The Route 422 corridor connects Hershey to Harrisburg and Reading. The Swatara Creek corridor provides environmental features. The area has continuous institutional construction across corporate, entertainment, and healthcare sectors.
Serving Dauphin & the Harrisburg-Carlisle MSA area
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Aerial Imaging Services Available in Hershey, PA
Hershey is an unincorporated census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, approximately 12 miles east of Harrisburg. With a population of approximately 25,200, it is known worldwide as "The Sweetest Place on Earth," home to The Hershey Company headquarters, Hersheypark, and Hershey's Chocolate World. The community was founded by Milton S. Hershey as a model company town and remains anchored by three major institutions: The Hershey Company (corporate and manufacturing), Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (theme park, resorts, and attractions), and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (a major academic medical center and Level I trauma center). The Route 422 corridor connects Hershey to Harrisburg and Reading. The Swatara Creek corridor provides environmental features. The area has continuous institutional construction across corporate, entertainment, and healthcare sectors.
Airspace & Flying Rules in Hershey, PA
FAA Part 107 Requirements
Commercial flights over Hershey fall under FAA Part 107: the pilot must hold a current Remote Pilot Certificate. Network operators are checked before matching.
State Drone Laws
Drone rules in Hershey layer two ways: Hershey is an unincorporated census-designated place in Derry Township, not a borough, so drone regulations are governed at the township level. plus Pennsylvania statewide UAS law (Pennsylvania Act 164 of 2018 (SB 167)) governing commercial flights. Full Pennsylvania drone law →
Local Ordinances
Hershey is an unincorporated census-designated place in Derry Township, not a borough, so drone regulations are governed at the township level. Derry Township requires commercial contractors to coordinate with the Derry Township Planning Department for construction-related drone aerial imaging. Commercial drone operations in township parks require a permit from the Derry Township Parks and Recreation Department. Operations near Hersheypark and the Hershey entertainment complex require coordination with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts security. Operations near Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center require coordination with hospital facilities management and awareness of medevac helicopter routes. Pennsylvania Act 164 of 2018 prohibits surveillance of private property without consent. The Swatara Creek corridor has environmental protection designations requiring coordination with the Dauphin County Conservation District.
Restricted Airspace
- Class C: Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) Class C. MDT, approximately 8 NM southeast of Hershey, has Class C airspace extending in a 5 NM radius core area up to 3,000 ft AGL and an outer area extending 10 NM. Southeastern Dauphin County areas, including parts of Derry Township near the airport, fall within this airspace. LAANC authorization is required for controlled grid squares. Contact MDT Tower at (717) 948-3301 for coordination. This is the most significant airspace consideration for Hershey-area drone operations.
- Class D: Capital City Airport (CXY) Surface Area. Capital City Airport in Harrisburg, approximately 12 NM west of Hershey, has Class D airspace extending approximately 4.4 NM radius up to 2,500 ft MSL. Western areas near the Harrisburg city limits may approach the eastern edge. LAANC authorization is available. Contact Capital City Tower at (717) 774-3800.
- Institutional: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a major academic medical center and Level I trauma center with ongoing facility expansion and active medevac helicopter operations. Drone aerial imaging near the medical center campus requires coordination with Penn State Health Facilities Management and awareness of helicopter approach corridors. The medical center has ongoing construction including research buildings, patient towers, and parking structures.
- Institutional: Hersheypark and Entertainment Complex. Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World, and the surrounding entertainment complex have security and safety restrictions on drone overflight. While no formal FAA TFR is established, the park operator (Hershey Entertainment & Resorts) prohibits unauthorized drone operations over the park. Commercial aerial imaging of the complex requires coordination with Hershey Entertainment security. The park has ongoing ride construction and facility expansion creating aerial imaging demand.
Airports in the area: MDT — Harrisburg International Airport (Class C, 8 mi SE, commercial), CXY — Capital City Airport (Class D, 12 mi W, general aviation, Harrisburg), RDG — Reading Regional Airport (Class D, 30 mi E), IAD — Gettysburg Regional Airport (Class E, 30 mi S, general aviation)
Pennsylvania Aerial Imaging Cost Guide
Pricing below reflects the Harrisburg-Carlisle MSA market. Site size, terrain, and the deliverables you need move the final number up or down.
| Service Type | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Topographic Data Collection | $1,075 | $4,650 |
| Drone Inspection | $725 | $2,950 |
| LiDAR Scanning | $2,175 | $9,050 |
| Environmental Monitoring | $1,350 | $5,650 |
| Aerial Imagery | $525 | $2,350 |
| Construction Monitoring | $925 | $4,150 |
| Real Estate Photography | $300 | $1,200 |
| Roof Inspection | $350 | $1,500 |
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List Your Business →Aerial Imaging Solutions for Hershey's Development Pipeline
Hershey is a unique construction market driven by three major institutional anchors: The Hershey Company (corporate campus and manufacturing), Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (Hersheypark, resorts, and attractions), and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (academic medical center and research facilities). The Hershey Company has ongoing manufacturing facility expansions and corporate campus development. Hersheypark has continuous ride construction, resort renovation, and entertainment facility development. Penn State Health has major ongoing construction including research buildings, patient tower expansions, and parking structures. Additionally, the Route 422 and Route 322 corridors are seeing commercial and residential development. Derry Township has active residential subdivisions, and the Hershey area benefits from tourism infrastructure investment. Infrastructure projects include Route 422 corridor improvements, the Route 743 interchange upgrades, sewer system expansion, and Swatara Creek bridge projects.
Active Developers in the Area:
- The Hershey Company — Corporate campus expansion, manufacturing facility upgrades, and distribution center development
- Hershey Entertainment & Resorts — Hersheypark ride construction, resort renovation, hotel development, and entertainment facility expansion
- Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center — Research building construction, patient tower expansion, parking structure development, and medical office building construction
- Derry Township / PennDOT — Route 422 corridor improvements, Route 743 interchange upgrades, and Swatara Creek bridge replacements
- Derry Township Developers — Residential subdivisions and townhome construction in the Hershey area, supported by the strong local employment base
Why Developers in Hershey Use Aerius View
FAA-Certified
Every operator holds an active Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Local to Hershey
Local crews covering Hershey and 6 surrounding cities, already current on Pennsylvania airspace and LAANC workflows.
No Cost to Quote
Submit your project at no charge. Pay the operator directly if you proceed.
Fast Turnaround
Quotes in Hershey commonly move inside 2 business days once your request is in.
AeriusView is expanding in Hershey, PA
We're onboarding Hershey operators to serve demand from The Hershey Company and other area projects. Your request gets matched to verified coverage in Dauphin.
Request a QuoteYour Project Deliverables Explained
Every deliverable below ships with your Hershey project, formatted for the construction and engineering platforms used throughout the Harrisburg-Carlisle MSA. Projects like those delivered for The Hershey Company across Dauphin need data that drops straight into their workflow.
- Point clouds (LAS/LAZ) for 3D modeling and volumetric analysis
- DEM/DSM terrain models for cut/fill and grade analysis
- Contour lines (DXF/DWG, CAD-ready) for Civil 3D and Revit
- Progress reports with side-by-side comparisons for construction monitoring
- Orthomosaic maps (GeoTIFF) for site overview and documentation
- Coordinate systems matched to your project datum — the Pennsylvania State Plane zone, UTM, or a local datum your surveyor specifies
Insurance & Liability Protection
Pilot Insurance Required
Every operator matched to a Hershey project carries active liability insurance — minimum $1,000,000 general liability, verified from the certificate before the pilot joins the network. Hershey is an unincorporated census-designated place in Derry Township, not a borough, so drone regulations are governed at the township level. Derry Township requires commercial contractors to coordinate with the Derry Township Planning Department for construction-related drone aerial imaging. Commercial drone operations in township parks require a permit from the Derry Township Parks and Recreation Department. Operations near Hersheypark and the Hershey entertainment complex require coordination with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts security. Operations near Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center require coordination with hospital facilities management and awareness of medevac helicopter routes. Pennsylvania Act 164 of 2018 prohibits surveillance of private property without consent. The Swatara Creek corridor has environmental protection designations requiring coordination with the Dauphin County Conservation District.
FAA Part 107 Verified
Each pilot's Remote Pilot Certificate is checked against the FAA Airmen Inquiry before they can serve Dauphin bookings. Expired certificates are flagged automatically.
Equipment Documentation
Pilots register their airframes and sensors (RGB, LiDAR, thermal, multispectral) so Hershey requests route to crews with the right payload for the job.
Site Safety Coordination
Pilots coordinate with your site superintendent for safe operations on active Hershey construction sites, including flight plans that avoid worker areas and equipment zones. Hershey is an unincorporated census-designated place in Derry Township, not a borough, so drone regulations are governed at the township level. Derry Township requires commercial contractors to coordinate with the Derry Township Planning Department for construction-related drone aerial imaging. Commercial drone operations in township parks require a permit from the Derry Township Parks and Recreation Department. Operations near Hersheypark and the Hershey entertainment complex require coordination with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts security. Operations near Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center require coordination with hospital facilities management and awareness of medevac helicopter routes. Pennsylvania Act 164 of 2018 prohibits surveillance of private property without consent. The Swatara Creek corridor has environmental protection designations requiring coordination with the Dauphin County Conservation District.
Frequently Asked Questions — Hershey Aerial Imaging
What airspace restrictions apply to drone aerial imaging in Hershey?
Hershey is significantly affected by Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) Class C airspace, which extends over southeastern Dauphin County approximately 8 NM from Hershey. Parts of Derry Township near the airport fall within the Class C outer area, requiring LAANC authorization for controlled grid squares. Capital City Airport (CXY) Class D is 12 NM west. Operators should check the FAA LAANC dashboard carefully, as the MDT Class C area covers a significant portion of the Hershey area. Contact MDT Tower at (717) 948-3301 for coordination. Always check NOTAMs before flying.
Can I fly a drone over Hersheypark and the entertainment complex?
Drone operations over Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World, and the surrounding entertainment complex are prohibited without authorization from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts security. The park operator has specific safety and security protocols for drone overflight. Commercial aerial imaging of the complex (for construction monitoring of new rides or facilities) requires coordination with Hershey Entertainment Facilities Management and their security team. Pennsylvania Act 164 of 2018 prohibits surveillance of individuals in private settings, which is relevant over a theme park with thousands of visitors. Contact Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for authorization procedures.
What major construction projects in Hershey need drone aerial imaging?
Hershey has active construction demand from three major institutional anchors: The Hershey Company (corporate campus and manufacturing facility expansion), Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (Hersheypark ride construction, resort renovation, and entertainment facility development), and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (research buildings, patient tower expansion, parking structures). Additionally, Route 422 and Route 743 corridor improvements, residential subdivisions in Derry Township, and Swatara Creek bridge projects create infrastructure and residential aerial imaging demand. The tourism infrastructure investment adds hospitality construction aerial imaging.
Is Hershey a good market for a drone aerial imaging business?
Hershey is a unique and strong T3 aerial imaging market with three major institutional anchors providing stable, year-round demand. The Hershey Company drives corporate campus and manufacturing facility aerial imaging. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts drives continuous ride construction and resort development aerial imaging. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center drives major medical center construction aerial imaging including research buildings and patient towers. The tourism infrastructure adds hospitality construction. The Route 422 corridor improvements and residential subdivisions provide infrastructure and residential aerial imaging demand. The concentration of three major institutional clients in a small geographic area makes Hershey one of the most reliable T3 markets in Pennsylvania.
Do I need a permit for commercial drone operations in Hershey?
Hershey is an unincorporated census-designated place in Derry Township, so permits are handled at the township level. Derry Township requires a permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing in township parks. Contact the Derry Township Parks and Recreation Department. For construction-related aerial imaging, coordinate with the Derry Township Planning Department. Operations near Hersheypark require authorization from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts security. Operations near Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center require coordination with hospital facilities management. The Swatara Creek corridor requires coordination with the Dauphin County Conservation District. Pennsylvania Act 164 of 2018 applies.
How does the MDT Class C airspace affect drone aerial imaging in Hershey?
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) Class C airspace is the most significant airspace consideration for Hershey-area drone operations. The Class C outer area extends 10 NM from the airport, and parts of Derry Township fall within this zone. Operators must check the FAA LAANC dashboard to determine which grid squares require authorization. Some areas of Hershey may require LAANC approval before flight, while others (further from the airport) may not. The proximity to MDT also means awareness of approach and departure corridors is important, especially for aerial imaging at higher altitudes. Contact MDT Tower at (717) 948-3301 for coordination on projects in the affected area.
Aerial Imaging Terms for Hershey Projects
Understand what Hershey drone operators mean when they quote orthomosaics, point clouds, and more. Most Hershey projects in our cost table start around $300.
Real-Time Kinematic
RTK GPS correction for centimeter-level positional accuracy.
LiDAR
Laser scanning that captures terrain through vegetation.
Digital Elevation Model
A 3D representation of terrain elevation across the site.
Ground Control Point
Known reference markers used to anchor and validate mapping accuracy.
Aerial Mapping
Data collection from above to map and measure a site.
Volumetrics
Cut/fill and stockpile volume calculations derived from terrain models.
Thermal Imaging
Infrared capture that reveals heat signatures for inspections.
Multispectral
Band-specific imagery used for vegetation and crop analysis.
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Request a Free QuoteAeriusView connects clients with FAA-certified drone operators. Services are not licensed land surveying. Deliverables are not authoritative for boundary determination, design, or legal purposes.