Aerial Imaging Services in Ottawa, KS

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Kansas regulates drones primarily through the Kansas Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (HB 2607, enacted 2018), which established the Kansas UAS Advisory Task Force under the Kansas Department of Transportation and codified state-level protections against warrantless drone surveillance. K.S.A. 60-31a01 through 60-31a04 create a civil cause of action for persons subjected to unauthorized drone surveillance when a reasonable expectation of privacy exists, and restrict law enforcement drone use to require a warrant except in exigent circumstances, search and rescue, and wildfire response. The state preempts local municipalities from regulating drone flight paths or navigable airspace, though cities may regulate takeoff and landing on public property they own. Kansas does not require a separate state-level drone license or registration for commercial operators, but all commercial pilots must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Kansas Department of Transportation Aviation Division maintains UAS guidelines and encourages operators to coordinate with airport managers for operations near public-use airports. Commercial drone operations in Kansas state parks require a special use permit from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Operators near military installations (Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Forbes Field Air National Guard in Topeka) must coordinate with base operations and check for active TFRs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. Kansas has no additional state drone registration requirement beyond FAA registration.

Local Ordinances

Ottawa is governed by Kansas state drone law (HB 2607 of 2018) with local regulations limited by state preemption of flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Ottawa may require permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property, including Forest Park, Ottawa City Lake, and the Marais des Cygnes River access points. The Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge south of Ottawa requires a special use permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for commercial drone operations. Forbes Field Airport (FOE) requires drone operators to coordinate with the airport manager for flights within 5 nautical miles. The Ottawa Planning Commission requires aerial imaging documentation for major subdivision plats and commercial development site plans submitted under the city zoning regulations, particularly for projects along the I-35 and US-59 corridors. The city has no additional municipal drone registration requirement beyond FAA Part 107 certification.

Restricted Airspace

• Forbes Field Airport (FOE) in Topeka has Class D airspace approximately 20 NM northwest. While Ottawa is outside the FOE Class D surface area, commercial operators flying above 400 feet AGL in western Franklin County should be aware of IFR traffic transitioning from Topeka. LAANC authorization is available through Aloft and AirMap for the broader Topeka airspace.
• Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWC) Class D airspace is approximately 20 NM northeast. Ottawa is outside the LWC Class D surface area and 5-NM notification zone. Commercial drone operations in northern Franklin County should verify airspace boundaries using the FAA B4UFLY app before flying.
• Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC) Class D airspace is approximately 30 NM east. Ottawa is well outside the OJC airspace. However, commercial operators should be aware that the broader Kansas City metro airspace has heavy IFR traffic transitioning east-west along the I-35 corridor.
• The Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge approximately 15 NM south of Ottawa is a managed federal wildlife area where commercial drone operations require a special use permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge has high migratory bird concentrations, particularly during spring and fall migration, requiring low-altitude drone avoidance to prevent wildlife harassment under FAA Part 107.
• Ottawa City Lake, Forest Park, and the Marais des Cygnes River corridor are public recreation areas managed by the City of Ottawa or Franklin County. Commercial drone takeoff and landing on these properties requires authorization from the managing authority. The river corridor has regular fishing and recreational use requiring FAA Part 107 compliance for operations over people.