Topographic Data Collection in Lowell, AR

Airports & LAANC Zones

• ROG — Rogers Executive Airport (Class E airspace, approximately 3 NM north in Rogers)
• VBT — Bentonville Municipal Airport/Louise M. Thaden Field (Class E airspace, approximately 5 NM north in Bentonville)
• XNA — Northwest Arkansas National Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 12 NM west near Highfill)
• FYV — Drake Field Airport (Class E airspace, approximately 15 NM south in Fayetteville)

Restricted Airspace

• Rogers Executive Airport (ROG) is approximately 3 nautical miles north of Lowell and is the closest airport. While ROG does not have controlled Class D airspace, FAA Part 107 requires notification to the airport manager for drone operations within 5 NM. ROG has active general aviation traffic including corporate aircraft and flight training, creating approach and departure corridors that overlap northern Lowell. The runway alignment extends roughly south-southwest, which can intersect drone flight paths in the northern portion of the city.
• Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) Class D airspace extends to 4.3 nautical miles from the airport center, with the shelf sitting at 2,500 feet MSL up to 5,000 feet MSL. Lowell is approximately 12 NM east-northeast of XNA, placing the city outside the Class D surface area. However, transit flights toward the northwest may approach the XNA outer shelf, requiring LAANC authorization. Check the FAA B4UFLY app before flying westward from Lowell.
• Bentonville Municipal Airport (VBT/Louise M. Thaden Field) is approximately 5 NM north-northwest in Bentonville. Drone operations within 5 NM require notification to the airport manager. VBT serves corporate aircraft for Walmart headquarters and has active general aviation traffic. The approach corridor extending south-southeast from VBT can overlap the northern edge of Lowell.
• Lake Atalanta, located just northeast of Lowell in Rogers, is a city-owned reservoir and recreational area managed by the Rogers Parks and Recreation Department. Commercial drone takeoff and landing on city property around Lake Atalanta requires authorization. The lake and surrounding park have high pedestrian and cyclist traffic, and FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants.
• The Illinois River and its tributaries run south of Lowell through the Beaver Lake watershed. The Army Corps of Engineers manages Beaver Lake and associated flood control structures, where commercial drone operations may require coordination. The Illinois River Water Trail corridor has environmental monitoring relevance for watershed protection and riparian restoration projects that use drone aerial imaging for erosion assessment.

Local Ordinances

Lowell is governed by Arkansas state drone law (Act 819 of 2019) with local regulations limited by Ark. Code Ann. § 14-361-120, which preempts municipalities from regulating drone flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Lowell may require permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property, including parks and public facilities. Lowell Parks and Recreation manages Bloomington Lake Park and the Lowell City Park, where commercial drone operations require prior authorization. Rogers Executive Airport (ROG) approximately 3 NM to the north requires drone operators to coordinate with the airport manager for flights within 5 nautical miles, making ROG notification a standard requirement for virtually all commercial drone operations in Lowell. The Lowell Planning Department requires aerial imaging documentation for major development site plans submitted under the city zoning ordinance along the Highway 264 and Monroe Avenue corridors. J.B. Hunt Transport Services corporate campus and its surrounding logistics facilities have security protocols that restrict unauthorized drone overflight, requiring coordination with campus security for any data collection work near the headquarters complex.