Aerial Imaging Services in Hot Springs, 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

Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs may require permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property, including parks and public facilities. Hot Springs Parks and Recreation manages Hot Springs Greenway Trail, Whittington Park, and the Hot Springs Sports Complex, where commercial drone operations require prior authorization. Memorial Field Airport (HOT) Class D airspace LAANC authorization is mandatory for commercial operations in the central and eastern portions of the city. Hot Springs National Park, managed by the National Park Service, prohibits commercial drone operations without a special use permit from the park superintendent. The park boundary encompasses much of the central city area including Hot Springs Mountain and Bathhouse Row, creating one of the most restrictive airspace environments of any city in Arkansas. The Hot Springs Planning and Development Department requires aerial imaging documentation for major development site plans submitted under the city development code. US Army Corps of Engineers permits are required for commercial drone takeoff and landing on federal property around Lakes Ouachita, Hamilton, and Catherine.

Restricted Airspace

• Memorial Field Airport (HOT) Class D airspace extends to 4 nautical miles from the airport surface up to 3,000 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 the central and eastern portions of Hot Springs near the airport along Highway 5 and Highway 7.
• Hot Springs National Park is the smallest and oldest national park in the US National Park system, encompassing over 5,500 acres within and adjacent to the city. The National Park Service prohibits commercial drone operations within national park boundaries without a special use permit issued by the park superintendent. This includes Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs Mountain, North Mountain, West Mountain, and the surrounding parklands that encircle much of the city. The park boundary creates a significant restricted zone for drone operations in the central city area.
• Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, and Lake Catherine are US Army Corps of Engineers impoundments surrounding Hot Springs. Commercial drone takeoff and landing on Corps of Engineers property requires a special use permit. The lakes create extensive shoreline data collection considerations for environmental monitoring and shoreline erosion assessment work. The Ouachita River corridor below the dams has additional flood control infrastructure.
• Hot Springs Village, a 26,000-acre gated community approximately 15 NM north in Saline County, has its own airspace considerations. The community has two golf courses, lakes, and extensive residential development. Commercial drone operations require property owner authorization and coordination with the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association for any work within the gated perimeter.
• The Ouachita National Forest borders Hot Springs to the west and south. The US Forest Service manages over 1.8 million acres across Arkansas and Oklahoma. Commercial drone operations on national forest land may require a special use permit from the Ouachita National Forest supervisor office, especially for commercial photography, aerial imaging, or research activities on forest service roads and recreation areas.