Aerial Imagery in New Braunfels, TX

Airports & LAANC Zones

• AUS — Austin-Bergstrom International (Class C, 40 miles north — outer shelves may affect northern Comal County)
• SAT — San Antonio International (Class C, 25 miles south — LAANC required for southern New Braunfels)
• NZC — Randolph Air Force Base (Class C, 20 miles southeast — military airspace, coordination required)
• HYI — San Marcos Regional Airport (general aviation, 15 miles north, uncontrolled Class E)
• ZCR — New Braunfels Regional Airport (Cape Air, general aviation, uncontrolled Class E)

Restricted Airspace

• Class C airspace around San Antonio International (SAT) — located 25 miles south. The northern shelves of SAT Class C extend into southern Comal County. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone flights in southern New Braunfels, particularly along I-35 south of the Guadalupe River.
• Randolph Air Force Base (NZC) — located 20 miles southeast in Universal City. Randolph has Class C airspace and active military flight training operations, including T-6 Texan II and T-38 Talon jet traffic. Drone flights within 5 miles of Randolph require coordination with base operations. The base has joint-use Class C airspace with San Antonio International, creating a complex airspace environment in the southern portion of the metro.
• Class C airspace around Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) — located 40 miles north. The outer southern shelves of AUS Class C may extend into northern Comal County. Verify altitude shelves on FAA UAS Facility Maps for data collection work in the Canyon Lake area and northern Comal County.
• Canyon Lake and Guadalupe River — managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Canyon Lake dam is critical infrastructure under TX Government Code Chapter 423. Drone flights over the dam and spillway require authorization. The Guadalupe River through New Braunfels is a major recreational tubing destination; drone flights over moving watercraft during peak summer recreation violate FAA Part 107 rules regarding flights over moving vehicles not under operator control.
• Gruene Historic District — while not formal restricted airspace, the density of tourists and outdoor events in Gruene means drone pilots should avoid weekend and holiday flights over the district. Commercial filming in Gruene requires a permit through the New Braunfels Historic Commission.
• Schlitterbahn Waterpark — large outdoor entertainment venue with seasonal operations. Drone flights over the waterpark during operating hours (May-August) are not advisable due to the density of guests and water attractions. Coordinate with park management for any off-season inspection work.
• Hill Country terrain and weather: western Comal County features significant elevation changes characteristic of the Texas Hill Country. Drone pilots must account for terrain-following altitude limits, as FAA Part 107 requires maintaining flight within 400 ft of the ground surface. Sudden weather changes, particularly spring thunderstorms and flash flooding in canyons, require real-time weather monitoring and flexible flight scheduling.

Local Ordinances

New Braunfels does not issue a separate city-level drone permit for commercial operators. FAA Part 107 certification and LAANC authorization for Class C airspace (SAT and AUS) are the primary requirements. Commercial filming on city property requires a permit through the New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department. The city prohibits drone takeoff and landing in city parks without a special use permit, including Landa Park, Prince Solms Park, and Cypress Bend Park. Flights over the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers during peak tubing season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) are strongly discouraged due to the density of recreational users. Flights from private property (with owner permission) do not require a city permit but must comply with all FAA Part 107 rules and Texas Government Code Chapter 423 critical infrastructure restrictions. Canyon Lake dam and Corps of Engineers facilities are federal critical infrastructure.