Drone Inspection in Memphis, TN

Airports & LAANC Zones

• MEM — Memphis International Airport (Class C airspace)
• NQA — Millington Municipal Airport (Class D airspace, 17 NM north)
• OLV — Olive Branch Airport (uncontrolled, 18 NM southeast in Mississippi)
• M54 — Charles W Baker Airport (uncontrolled, 12 NM east)
• SYI — Shelby County Airport (uncontrolled, 35 NM northeast)

Restricted Airspace

• Class C airspace around Memphis International (MEM) extends approximately 5 NM radius, surface to 4,000 ft MSL, with a 10 NM outer ring to 10,000 ft MSL. LAANC authorization is required for all commercial drone operations within the inner core and outer area. The Class C covers much of central Memphis, Midtown, and south Memphis.
• Millington Municipal Airport (NQA) has Class D airspace extending approximately 4.4 NM radius, surface to 3,000 ft MSL. NSA Mid-South is co-located at Millington and has additional restricted military airspace and security zones. Tennessee SB 2106 designates NSA Mid-South as critical infrastructure with a 250-foot buffer.
• The Mississippi River bridge corridor between Memphis and West Memphis, AR has low-altitude helicopter traffic for medical evac and law enforcement. Operators should maintain awareness of hospital helipad routes connecting Regional One Health, Methodist University Hospital, and St. Francis Hospital.
• TVA power facilities and substations across the Memphis metro are designated critical infrastructure under Tennessee SB 2106. A 250-foot buffer is required around all TVA electrical infrastructure.
• Temporary flight restrictions frequently activate over FedExField and Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium during sporting events, and over downtown Memphis during Beale Street Music Festival and Memphis in May events.

Local Ordinances

The City of Memphis does not maintain a dedicated municipal drone ordinance; commercial operators follow FAA Part 107 rules and Tennessee state law. Commercial drone takeoff and landing from city parks requires coordination with Memphis Parks and Neighborhoods. Drone flights over the Mississippi River require awareness of barge traffic, bridge inspection crews, and low-altitude helicopter operations. Shelby County requires notification for commercial drone operations near county-owned facilities and the Shelby Farms Park conservancy has discretionary authority over drone use within park boundaries. Operators filming in the downtown entertainment district near Beale Street should coordinate with the Memphis Film Commission. NSA Mid-South in Millington has federal security restrictions and operators must not fly within the installation boundary without prior authorization.