Aerial Imagery in Lynchburg, VA

Airports & LAANC Zones

• LYH — Lynchburg Regional Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 6 NM southwest — primary commercial airport for Central Virginia with American Airlines service; LAANC available)
• ROA — Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 45 NM west — larger commercial airport serving Southwest Virginia; LAANC available)
• W97 — New London Airport (Class E airspace, approximately 12 NM west in Forest — uncontrolled GA airport serving Bedford County; no LAANC required)
• HFY — Brookneal/Campbell County Airport (private/uncontrolled airspace, approximately 25 NM south — small GA facility; check restrictions before operating)
• RVL — Riverhaven Airport (private/uncontrolled airspace, approximately 15 NM northeast — small GA facility near Amherst; check restrictions before operating)

Restricted Airspace

• Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area from the surface up to 2,800 feet MSL. The Class D covers portions of southwestern Lynchburg, Campbell County, and the Liberty Mountain area. Commercial drone operations within the LYH Class D lateral boundaries require LAANC authorization. LYH handles regional commercial traffic from American Airlines along with corporate and GA traffic, and is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Operators in downtown Lynchburg and the Liberty University campus area should check whether their flight location falls within the LYH Class D 4 NM radius.
• The Blue Ridge Mountains rise immediately to the west and north of Lynchburg, and the Blue Ridge Parkway passes through the mountains approximately 15 NM northwest of the city. The parkway is administered by the National Park Service, which prohibits drone operations on or over NPS-administered lands without a special use permit. Commercial operators flying in the western Bedford County area or near the Peaks of Otter should verify their location does not encroach on parkway property. The Appalachian Trail also crosses the mountain ridges northwest of Lynchburg and is NPS-restricted.
• Liberty University, located on Liberty Mountain in the southern part of Lynchburg, has significant helicopter and drone activity related to its aviation programs. The Liberty University School of Aeronautics operates a fleet of aircraft and conducts flight training at LYH and from the Liberty Mountain campus. The university also conducts UAS research and education, and operators flying near the campus should check for university drone activity and NOTAMs. The C. Daniel Snyder III Liberty Baseball Stadium and Williams Stadium have occasional drone restrictions during events.
• The James River corridor through Lynchburg has moderate recreational and commercial traffic including kayakers, fishing boats, and occasional helicopter traffic. The Riverwalk segment of the James River Heritage Trail along the waterfront is heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists. Drone operators flying near the James River, the Percival's Island Natural Area, and the Blackwater Creek Trail should maintain situational awareness of trail users and maintain Part 107 distance requirements from non-participants. The river corridor does not have designated airspace restrictions but safety considerations apply.
• The Arnold Engineering Development Center and Virginia Military Institute facilities in the broader Lynchburg-Central Virginia region do not directly affect Lynchburg airspace, but operators traveling to projects at VMI in Lexington (approximately 35 NM northwest) should be aware of military training airspace and the McCormick Farm Airport area. The Virginia National Guard conducts training at various Central Virginia facilities, and operators should check NOTAMs for military flight activity in the region.

Local Ordinances

Lynchburg is governed by Virginia state drone law (VA Code § 18.2-260.2 and § 15.2-926.3) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Lynchburg regulates drone takeoff and landing on public property under its municipal authority per § 15.2-926.3. Commercial drone operations in Lynchburg city parks including Riverside Park, Miller Park, and Peaks View Park require authorization from the Lynchburg Parks and Recreation Department. The James River Heritage Trail system, including the Blackwater Creek Trail and Riverwalk, is managed by the city and requires a permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing on trail property. Percival's Island Natural Area is city-owned and requires park authorization. The Blue Ridge Parkway, approximately 15 NM northwest, is NPS-administered and prohibits drone operations without a special use permit. Liberty University campus flights require coordination with the university's aviation program and security office due to active flight training operations. Commercial drone filming for construction documentation or real estate marketing on private property requires property owner consent but no city film permit. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within LYH Class D airspace boundaries.