Topographic Data Collection in Leesburg, VA

Airports & LAANC Zones

• IAD — Washington Dulles International Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 7 NM southeast — major international hub and closest commercial airport; LAANC required for Class C area)
• JYO — Leesburg Executive Airport (Class D airspace, adjacent to Leesburg — primary general aviation airport for Loudoun County; LAANC available)
• MRB — Front Royal-Warren County Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 35 NM southwest — GA airport serving Shenandoah Valley; LAANC available)
• DCA — Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Class B airspace, approximately 30 NM southeast — restricted flight zone due to SFRA; LAANC and TSA coordination required)
• HEF — Manassas Regional Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 20 NM south — busiest GA airport in Virginia; LAANC available)

Restricted Airspace

• Leesburg is located approximately 7 NM northwest of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), which has Class C airspace extending from the surface up to 4,000 feet MSL with a 5 NM inner radius and outer rings extending to 10 NM. Southern and eastern portions of Leesburg and the Route 28 corridor fall within the IAD Class C outer rings. LAANC authorization is required and available for commercial drone operations within the IAD Class C lateral boundaries. Operators should check the FAA B4UFLY app for specific shelf boundaries at their flight location.
• Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO), also known as Godfrey Field, is located within the town of Leesburg and has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area from the surface up to 3,000 feet MSL. Most of central Leesburg falls within the JYO Class D lateral boundaries. JYO is a busy GA airport with significant corporate jet, turboprop, and helicopter traffic serving the Loudoun County business community. LAANC authorization is available for the JYO Class D area and commercial operators must obtain approval before any flight within the 4 NM radius.
• Leesburg sits within the Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA), a 30 NM radius ring centered on the DCA VOR. The SFRA has specific transponder and flight plan requirements for all aircraft operations, including drones. The inner 15 NM ring (Flight Restricted Zone, or FRZ) prohibits most drone operations entirely. Leesburg is approximately 30 NM from DCA, placing it at the outer edge of the SFRA. Commercial drone operators must file a SFRA flight plan and maintain transponder contact when required, and should check NOTAMs for VIP TFRs that frequently expand the restricted zone around Washington DC. TSA and FAA coordination may be required for operations near the SFRA boundary.
• Quantico Marine Corps Base is approximately 20 NM southeast of Leesburg. The base has restricted airspace (R-4009 A/B/C) and military operating areas that can affect drone operations in eastern Loudoun County and along the Route 28 corridor toward Manassas. Commercial operators working on data center or commercial projects near the Prince William County line should check NOTAMs for Quantico TFRs during military training exercises or VIP movements. The Quantico airspace does not typically extend into Leesburg town limits but affects nearby construction zones.
• The Loudoun County data center corridor along Route 28 and the Dulles Greenway has heavy helicopter traffic including news, medevac, corporate shuttle, and VIP transport helicopters transiting between Dulles Airport, DC, and the data center campuses. While not a designated VFR corridor, drone operators flying near large data center construction sites should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic, particularly during dawn and dusk commuter periods. The Route 7 and Route 28 interchange area has elevated helicopter activity due to corporate campus proximity.

Local Ordinances

Leesburg is governed by Virginia state drone law (VA Code § 18.2-260.2 and § 15.2-926.3) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The Town of Leesburg regulates drone takeoff and landing on public property under its municipal authority per § 15.2-926.3, which grants localities the power to manage public property use but prohibits local regulation of airspace or flight paths. Commercial drone operations in Leesburg town parks including Ida Lee Park, Balls Bluff Regional Park, and Franklin Park require authorization from the Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department. Loudoun County parks require a commercial use permit from the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Commercial drone filming for construction documentation, real estate marketing, or advertising on private property does not require a town film permit but requires property owner consent. The Washington DC SFRA (30 NM ring) imposes additional requirements including transponder and flight plan coordination for all aircraft including drones, and operators near the SFRA boundary should verify their position relative to the restricted zone. Data center construction sites along the Route 28 corridor typically require coordination with site security and construction management due to the sensitive nature of the facilities. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within IAD Class C or JYO Class D airspace boundaries. The Virginia Department of Aviation encourages all UAS operators to register their operations through the statewide UAS notification system.