Aerial Imaging Services in Jonesboro, 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

Jonesboro operates under Arkansas state drone law (Act 819 of 2019), with local authority limited by Ark. Code Ann. § 14-361-120, which preempts municipalities from regulating drone flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Jonesboro may require permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property, including Craighead Forest Park, Joe Mack Campbell Park, and the A-State sports complex. Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR) requires drone operators to coordinate with the airport manager for any flights within 5 nautical miles, as the airport handles corporate and charter traffic for the university and regional industries. The Jonesboro Metropolitan Area Planning Organization coordinates with developers on major site plans along the Highland Drive and Caraway Road corridors, where aerial imaging documentation is increasingly required for commercial and residential subdivision approvals. Commercial drone operations near the St. Bernard Hospital and NEA Baptist Medical Center campuses require awareness of medical helicopter flight paths — these facilities receive air ambulance traffic and operators should avoid the approach and departure corridors.

Restricted Airspace

• Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR) is an active general aviation airport within city limits. While it does not have controlled Class D airspace, drone operators must notify the airport manager before flying within 5 nautical miles. JBR sees corporate jet traffic serving Arkansas State University and regional industry, with active traffic patterns along the runway alignment.
• Memphis International Airport (MEM) Class B airspace extends up to 10,000 feet MSL within approximately 15 NM of the airport center. The outer shelf of the MEM Class B reaches into eastern Arkansas, though it does not extend to Craighead County. However, transient IFR traffic on approach to MEM can pass through the region at lower altitudes. Check NOTAMs before flying.
• Camp Robinson in North Little Rock (approximately 110 NM southwest) has restricted military airspace that does not affect Jonesboro. However, Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith (approximately 180 NM west) and the Arkansas Air National Guard flying mission at Little Rock can generate TFRs that occasionally cover broad sections of the state during training operations.
• St. Francis National Forest and the LAnguille River corridor to the south are federally managed or environmentally sensitive areas. Commercial drone takeoff and landing on US Forest Service property requires a special use permit. The Cache River National Wildlife Refuge (approximately 25 NM south) is a critical habitat area where low-altitude drone operations may disturb migratory waterfowl — coordinate with the US Fish and Wildlife Service before operating in the refuge approach corridors.
• Arkansas State University campus and Centennial Bank Stadium (home of A-State Red Wolves football) are high-traffic public gathering areas. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants. Game-day TFRs may be issued for major events at the stadium. The university research farm and agricultural facilities on the east side of campus have ongoing field trials where drone operations may require coordination with the ASU Division of Agriculture.