Aerial Imaging Services in Kalispell, MT

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Montana does not have comprehensive state-level drone legislation. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and comply with all federal regulations. Montana Code Annotated § 60-1-101 defines aircraft as including drones, subjecting them to state aviation regulations where applicable, but the Montana Aeronautics Division defers to FAA authority for commercial drone operations under Part 107. Montana Code § 2-15-3106 gives the Department of Transportation authority over aviation safety, but no specific drone permitting or registration requirement exists at the state level beyond FAA registration. Local municipalities may regulate takeoff and landing on public property. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks requires permits for drone operations in state parks. Operators should check for local city and county ordinances regarding park usage and public property restrictions.

Local Ordinances

Kalispell does not have a comprehensive city-specific drone ordinance, relying on FAA Part 107 regulations and Montana state law. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department requires authorization for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned park property, including Depot Park, Lawrence Park, and Bissett Park. Operations near Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) require LAANC authorization for the Class D surface area within 4 NM of the airport. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks requires permits for drone operations in state parks, including Wildhorse Island State Park in Flathead Lake and Lone Pine State Park overlooking the valley. Flathead County has no separate drone ordinance but defers to FAA Part 107 for commercial operations. The Flathead National Forest ranger district may require special use permits for commercial drone operations on Forest Service lands surrounding the Flathead Valley. Montana Code Annotated § 60-1-101 includes drones in the definition of aircraft, but the state defers to FAA authority for Part 107 commercial operations.

Restricted Airspace

• Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) has Class D airspace extending from the surface to 6,800 feet MSL within 4 nautical miles of the airport. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone operations within this controlled airspace. FCA serves as the primary commercial airport for the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park gateway, handling over 400,000 passengers annually with service from United, Delta, Alaska, and Allegiant. The airport is located 8 miles northeast of downtown Kalispell near Columbia Heights. Drone operators must use the FAA B4UFLY app or approved LAANC providers (Aloft, AirMap) for authorization before flying within the Class D surface area. FCA air traffic control tower frequency is 118.3 MHz.
• Glacier National Park, located approximately 30 miles northeast of Kalispell, is a no-drone zone in its entirety. The National Park Service prohibits the operation of unmanned aircraft within all national park units under Policy Memorandum 14-05. Commercial drone operators may not fly over, launch from, or land within Glacier National Park boundaries. The west entrance at West Glacier is 33 miles from Kalispell, and the Camas Creek entrance is accessible via the North Fork Road. Operators conducting aerial mapping work near the park boundary must verify their flight area does not cross into NPS jurisdiction. Violations carry federal penalties under 36 CFR 1.5 and NPS policy directives.
• Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, dominates the valley south of Kalispell. While not a formal no-drone zone, the lake has heavy recreational boat traffic in summer, with marinas at Lakeside, Bigfork, and Somers. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants, including boaters, swimmers, and paddlers. The Flathead Lake Marine Patrol and Lakeside marina areas have high seasonal density. Drone operators conducting real estate or data collection work along the lake shore should maintain altitude awareness, avoid flying over occupied beaches and docks, and coordinate with waterfront property owners. Wildhorse Island, a state park within the lake, requires Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks permits for commercial drone operations.
• The Kalispell Regional Medical Center (now Logan Health Medical Center) campus in north Kalispell has helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations. The hospital operates Life Flight Network and ALERT helicopter services with rooftop and ground-level helipads. Drone operators should maintain awareness of HEMS flight corridors, especially during emergency medical calls serving the entire Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park backcountry. The FAA requires drone operators to yield right-of-way to all manned aircraft, including emergency helicopters. Commercial drone aerial imaging work near the Logan Health campus at 310 Sunnyview Lane should coordinate with hospital facilities management and monitor aviation radio frequencies (122.9 MHz) for HEMS activity.
• The Flathead National Forest surrounds Kalispell on multiple sides, encompassing the Swan Range, Whitefish Range, and Flathead Range. Commercial drone operations on Forest Service lands — including mapping, aerial imaging, real estate photography, or any revenue-generating aerial work — may require a special use permit from the Flathead National Forest supervisor office. The Great Bear Wilderness and Mission Mountains Wilderness areas adjacent to the valley have additional restrictions on motorized equipment. Drone operators conducting work near timber sale boundaries, USFS recreation sites, or wilderness area peripheries should contact the Flathead National Forest at (406) 758-5208 to determine permit requirements. Flying over designated wilderness areas is discouraged and may have additional restrictions under Forest Service policy.