Drone Inspection in Kentwood, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• GRR — Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 4 NM southeast in Cascade Township, major commercial airport serving West Michigan with over 3 million annual passengers. Kentwood is directly west of GRR approach corridors)
• BIV — Tulip City Airport (Class E uncontrolled airspace, approximately 16 NM southwest in Holland, handles general aviation)
• RIV — Riverview Airport (Class E uncontrolled airspace, approximately 12 NM north in Jenison, handles general aviation)

Restricted Airspace

• Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) Class C airspace is approximately 4 miles southeast of Kentwood in Cascade Township. GRR is the major commercial airport serving West Michigan with over 3 million annual passengers. GRR Class C extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet MSL in the inner core and from the surface to 2,500 feet in the outer area. Eastern and southeastern portions of Kentwood fall within the GRR Class C outer area. LAANC authorization is required for operations in the Class C area. The GRR approach and departure corridors pass over eastern Kentwood, making altitude coordination important for commercial drone operators.
• The M-6 (South Beltline) corridor through Kentwood is a major MDOT infrastructure inspection zone. The M-6 bridges over Eastern Avenue, Kalamazoo Avenue, and Division Avenue require periodic inspection. MDOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure. The I-96 and I-196 interchange complex near Kentwood is one of the busiest highway interchanges in West Michigan.
• Kentwood is home to several major facilities with enhanced security considerations including the East Kentwood High School campus (one of the largest high schools in Michigan), the Kentwood City Hall complex, and industrial facilities along the 52nd Street and Patterson Avenue corridors. The Centerpointe Mall and Woodland Mall commercial districts create retail aerial imaging demand.
• The Plaster Creek and Buck Creek corridors through Kentwood create environmental monitoring and flood control infrastructure demand. These waterways flow through several park properties including Jaycee Park, Paris Township Park, and the Paul Henry Trail corridor. Environmental monitoring of the Plaster Creek watershed creates demand for drone aerial imaging services.
• Kentwood has extensive industrial and manufacturing facilities along the 52nd Street SE corridor, including aerospace, automotive, and furniture manufacturing companies. These facilities have enhanced security considerations and create specialized demand for industrial facility inspection, roof inspection, and construction monitoring services.

Local Ordinances

Kentwood operates under the Michigan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (Public Act 451 of 2016, MCL 259.301 et seq.) which preempts local regulation of drone flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Kentwood requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in city parks requires coordination with the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, including Jaycee Park, Home Acres Park, and the Paul Henry Trail. Operations near GRR Class C airspace require LAANC authorization. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.