Aerial Imaging Services in Portland, ME

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Maine regulates drone operations primarily through LD 812 (Public Law Chapter 463, enacted 2015), which prohibits law enforcement agencies from using unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance without a warrant, with exceptions for emergency situations, search and rescue, and national security. 17 M.R.S. § 6554 prohibits the use of drones to conduct surveillance of a private property or person without consent, and 12 M.R.S. § 11266 prohibits using drones to harass or disturb wildlife, including hunting and fishing interference. Maine does not require a separate state-level commercial drone license or registration — all commercial operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with the FAA. The state follows FAA Part 107 preemption on airspace regulation, meaning municipalities cannot enact their own airspace rules but may regulate takeoff and landing on public property. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all state parks without a special use permit. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife restricts drone operations in wildlife management areas, particularly during nesting and breeding seasons. Acadia National Park (federal) prohibits drone takeoff and landing without a research or commercial filming permit from the National Park Service. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL and LAANC authorization is available for Class B, C, and D airspace across Maine, including Portland International Jetport (PWM) Class D and Bangor International Airport (BGR) Class D. Commercial operators near Brunswick Executive Airport (BXM, former NAS Brunswick) should coordinate with airport operations for military and GA traffic patterns.

Local Ordinances

Portland is governed by Maine state drone regulations (LD 812 / Public Law Chapter 463, 17 M.R.S. § 6554) and FAA Part 107. The City of Portland does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance as of 2026, but commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property requires authorization from the Portland Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department. Portland parks including Eastern Promenade, Western Promenade, Deering Oaks, Lincoln Park, and the Bayside Trail require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The Portland waterfront and Commercial Street corridor are regulated by the Portland Harbor Commission for commercial drone filming near the working waterfront and marine facilities. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires coordination with the Maine Film Office and Portland Police Department. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within the PWM Class D airspace boundary. The University of Southern Maine Portland campus and the University of New England campus in nearby Biddeford require coordination with university facilities management for drone operations on campus property.

Restricted Airspace

• Portland International Jetport (PWM) has Class D airspace with a 4.4 NM radius surface area from the surface up to 2,500 feet AGL. PWM is located just 2 miles west of downtown Portland, meaning the central peninsula, the Old Port district, the West End, and the East Bayside neighborhoods fall within or near the PWM Class D surface area. Commercial drone operators must obtain LAANC authorization before flying within the PWM Class D boundaries. The FAA B4UFLY app should be used to verify exact boundaries. PWM handles significant airline, corporate, and cargo traffic including FedEx and UPS operations, as well as LifeFlight of Maine medevac helicopter flights.
• Brunswick Executive Airport (BXM), approximately 25 miles north of Portland, occupies the former Naval Air Station Brunswick. BXM has Class D airspace and hosts both civilian GA operations and military reserve activity. The former NAS Brunswick site includes the Brunswick Landing business park, and operators flying in the Brunswick area should coordinate with airport operations for military and GA traffic patterns. LAANC authorization is required for the BXM Class D area. The base has a history of P-3 Orion maritime patrol operations and now supports Navy reserve helicopter and C-130 operations.
• Acadia National Park, located approximately 160 miles northeast of Portland on Mount Desert Island, prohibits drone takeoff and landing without a research or commercial filming permit from the National Park Service. The National Park Service banned drone use in all national parks in 2014 (Policy Memorandum 14-05). Commercial drone operators who wish to conduct aerial photography or research in Acadia must obtain a filming permit from the park superintendent. The park encompasses significant coastline, Cadillac Mountain (highest point on the East Coast), and dense visitor areas where low-altitude drone operations pose safety risks.
• LifeFlight of Maine operates medevac helicopter flights from the Maine Medical Center helipad in Portland and from the BXM area. Drone operators flying near Maine Medical Center, the Portland waterfront, and along the I-295 corridor should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic per FAA Part 107.39. The Fore River area also has occasional marine data collection and tug/barge helicopter traffic. Commercial operators near the Portland Pipeline Corporation facilities on the South Portland waterfront should be aware of critical infrastructure restrictions.
• The Maine State Prison system and military installations including the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (approximately 50 miles south in Kittery) create intermittent TFR activity. While Portland is outside the immediate Portsmouth Naval Shipyard restricted area, operators flying along the southern Maine coast should check NOTAMs for active TFRs. The Brunswick Landing area also has occasional military reserve training flights that generate TFR activity. The FAA B4UFLY app and NOTAM system should be consulted before any commercial operation near these facilities.