Drone Inspection in Livonia, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• DTW — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 15 NM southwest in Romulus, major international commercial airport with over 30 million annual passengers, primary airport for Metro Detroit)
• DET — Coleman A. Young International Airport (formerly Detroit City Airport, Class D airspace, approximately 12 NM east in Detroit, handles general aviation and limited cargo)
• YIP — Willow Run Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 12 NM west in Ypsilanti, major cargo and general aviation facility)
• PTK — Oakland County International Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 15 NM north in Waterford Township, corporate and general aviation facility)

Restricted Airspace

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Class C airspace extends approximately 10 NM from the airport with shelves up to 5,000 feet MSL. While DTW is approximately 15 NM southwest of Livonia, the outer shelves and approach/departure corridors can affect southern Livonia operations, particularly near the I-275 and I-94 corridors. Commercial drone operators in southern Livonia should check LAANC grid squares for DTW Class C proximity. The airport handles over 30 million passengers annually and is a major Delta hub.
• Willow Run Airport (YIP) Class D airspace is approximately 12 NM west in Ypsilanti and extends 4.4 NM from the airport up to 3,000 feet MSL. Western Livonia operations near the I-275 corridor and the Schoolcraft Road area should check for YIP Class D proximity. YIP handles significant cargo traffic and is adjacent to the GM Willow Run transmission plant complex. Operators should verify LAANC grid squares for their specific operating location.
• The I-275 and I-96 interchange complex in Livonia has critical infrastructure considerations. I-275 is the major north-south bypass route connecting I-94 to I-75 and serving Metro Detroit's western suburbs. I-96 runs east-west through Livonia connecting Detroit to Lansing and Grand Rapids. MDOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure, and the I-275/I-96 interchange is one of the most complex highway interchanges in western Wayne County. Commercial drone operators near highway infrastructure should coordinate with MDOT.
• The St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (now Trinity Health Livonia) campus on Five Mile Road has security and privacy considerations for commercial drone operations. The hospital is one of the largest healthcare facilities in western Wayne County and has undergone expansion and renovation. Operators should coordinate with hospital security for flights near the medical campus. The Schoolcraft College campus on Haggerty Road also has institutional security considerations for drone operations.
• The Laurel Park Place mall area and the 7 Mile Road and Haggerty Road commercial corridor have commercial development activity. The Ford Motor Company Livonia Transmission Plant (formerly the Livonia Transmission Operations) on Schoolcraft Road has enhanced security considerations as an active automotive manufacturing facility. Operators should coordinate with Ford facility security for flights near the transmission plant complex.

Local Ordinances

Livonia 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 Livonia requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in Livonia parks requires coordination with the Livonia Parks and Recreation Department, including Bicentennial Park, Ford Field, and the Livonia Community Recreation Center campus. Operations near the Ford Motor Company Livonia Transmission Plant require coordination with Ford facility security. Operations near Trinity Health Livonia hospital campus require coordination with hospital security. Operations near DTW Class C or YIP Class D proximity should verify LAANC grid squares. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.