Aerial Imaging Services in Newark, OH

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in Ohio require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

Ohio does not have a comprehensive state-level drone law regulating commercial UAS operations. The state enacted HB 292 (2018) establishing the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee to study UAS integration, and the Ohio Department of Transportation hosts the Ohio UAS Center which promotes safe drone integration into the national airspace system. Ohio does not require a separate state-level drone license or registration for commercial operators beyond FAA requirements. All commercial drone pilots in Ohio must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and follow federal regulations including airspace authorization via LAANC for operations in controlled airspace. Ohio state parks managed by the Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) require a special use permit for commercial drone operations — contact the individual park office for application. Ohio does not have an explicit state preemption clause for local drone regulations, meaning municipalities may enact their own ordinances regulating takeoff and landing on public property. Operators near military installations (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center in northeast Ohio) must coordinate with base operations and check for active TFRs. The Ohio General Assembly has introduced several UAS-related bills over the years (including SB 255 addressing drone surveillance privacy) but none have been enacted into comprehensive UAS legislation. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland metropolitan areas have extensive Class B and Class C airspace requiring LAANC authorization.

Local Ordinances

The City of Newark does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance. Commercial drone operators conducting business within city limits must hold a valid City of Newark business license. Drone takeoff and landing in Newark parks requires coordination with the Newark Parks and Recreation Department, which manages over 300 acres including Dawes Arboretum (nearby), the Newark Bike Trail system, and several community parks. Operations near the Newark Earthworks — a National Historic Landmark — require coordination with the Ohio History Connection and respect for the archaeological and cultural significance. The Dawes Arboretum restricts drone operations on its 1,800-acre property. Licking County does not have separate drone regulations beyond federal and state requirements. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance.

Restricted Airspace

• Class E: Newark-Heath Airport (VTA) Surface Area. VTA is a non-towered general aviation airport approximately 5 miles south of downtown Newark in Heath. The airport operates in Class E airspace with no control tower — pilots use CTAF frequency 122.975. While there is no Class D surface area requiring LAANC authorization, operators near the Heath area should monitor VTA traffic and coordinate with airport operations for any flights near the field. VTA serves general aviation and corporate traffic for the Licking County business community.
• Class C: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) Remote Proximity. CMH Class C airspace has a 10 NM outer shelf. Newark is approximately 25 miles east of CMH, placing the city well outside the Class C boundary. However, western Licking County near the Franklin County line may approach the CMH outer shelf. Most of Newark operates in Class E/G uncontrolled airspace, making it more accessible for commercial drone operations than Columbus suburbs within the CMH Class C. Operators should still check the FAA sectional chart for their specific grid square.
• Infrastructure: SR-16 / SR-79 / US-40 Corridor Complex. Newark sits at the intersection of SR-16 (the Heath-Newark-Lancaster expressway), SR-79, and US-40. SR-16 is the primary east-west expressway connecting Newark to the Columbus metro and is a major infrastructure corridor. ODOT has active infrastructure inspection programs along these corridors. The OH-16 bypass around Newark has been a significant infrastructure project. The West Main Street and East Main Street corridors run through the historic downtown.
• Special Use: Newark Earthworks / Mound Builders Park. The Newark Earthworks are a National Historic Landmark consisting of the largest geometric earthworks in the world, built by the Hopewell culture approximately 2,000 years ago. Portions include the Great Circle Earthworks (managed by the Ohio History Connection) and the Octagon Earthworks (managed by Moundbuilders Country Club). These are sacred sites and protected archaeological areas. Drone operations near the earthworks require coordination with the Ohio History Connection and respect for the cultural significance of the site. The nearby Dawes Arboretum is a 1,800-acre tree collection and research facility with its own drone operation restrictions.