Topographic Data Collection in Roanoke, VA

Airports & LAANC Zones

• ROA — Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 5 NM northwest — primary commercial airport for Southwest Virginia with service from American, Delta, and United; LAANC available)
• LYH — Lynchburg Regional Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 45 NM east — regional commercial and GA airport serving Central Virginia; LAANC available)
• PSK — New River Valley Airport (Class E airspace, approximately 35 NM south in Dublin — uncontrolled GA airport serving Blacksburg and Virginia Tech; no LAANC required)
• BCB — Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 40 NM south in Blacksburg — university-affiliated GA airport; LAANC available)
• HLX — Hillsville Airport (private/uncontrolled airspace, approximately 55 NM southwest — small GA facility; check restrictions before operating)

Restricted Airspace

• Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) has Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius surface area and outer shelf extending to 10 NM, from the surface up to 4,000 feet AGL. The Class C covers much of northwest Roanoke, the town of Roanoke, and areas toward Hollins and Botetourt County. Commercial drone operations within the ROA Class C lateral boundaries require LAANC authorization. ROA handles commercial airline traffic from American, Delta, and United along with significant corporate and GA traffic, making it one of the busiest airports in Southwest Virginia. Downtown Roanoke is just outside the 5 NM inner ring but within the outer shelf area.
• The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the eastern ridge of the Roanoke Valley and is managed by the National Park Service. Drone operations are prohibited along the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor without a special use permit from the NPS. The parkway passes through the mountains immediately east of Roanoke, including the popular McAfee Knob and Dragons Tooth trail areas. Commercial drone operators flying near the parkway corridor should verify their flight location does not encroach on NPS-administered lands. Violations can result in federal penalties and confiscation of equipment.
• The Appalachian Trail passes through the mountains east and north of Roanoke, crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor. The trail is administered by the National Park Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and drone operations are prohibited on or over NPS-administered trail lands. Operators flying near McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragons Tooth should check NPS boundaries to avoid restricted areas. The trail corridor is narrow but heavily visited, creating safety considerations even for operations on adjacent private land.
• Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport (BCB) has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area, located approximately 40 NM south of Roanoke in Blacksburg. While this does not directly affect Roanoke operations, drone operators traveling between Roanoke and Blacksburg for construction projects should be aware of the BCB Class D boundaries. Virginia Tech research facilities and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conduct UAS research, and operators should check for NOTAMs related to university drone test activities.
• The Roanoke Valley has moderate helicopter traffic including Carilion Clinic medevac helicopters, Virginia State Police aviation, and occasional news helicopters. Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is a Level I trauma center with active helipad, and drone operators flying near the hospital campus or along the I-81 corridor should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic. The hospital helipad does not have designated Class D airspace but operators should exercise caution within 1 NM of the facility.

Local Ordinances

Roanoke is governed by Virginia state drone law (VA Code § 18.2-260.2 and § 15.2-926.3) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Roanoke regulates drone takeoff and landing on public property under its municipal authority per § 15.2-926.3, which grants localities the power to manage public property use but prohibits local regulation of airspace or flight paths. Commercial drone operations in Roanoke city parks including Highland Park, Eureka Park, and Wasena Park require authorization from the Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department. Roanoke County parks require a commercial use permit. The Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission manages the extensive Roanoke River Greenway, Tinker Creek Greenway, and Mill Mountain Greenway network, and commercial drone takeoff and landing on greenway property requires a permit. Mill Mountain Park, home to the Roanoke Star and Discovery Center, is city-owned and requires park authorization for drone operations. The Blue Ridge Parkway, administered by the National Park Service, prohibits drone operations without a special use permit — this affects the mountain ridges immediately east of Roanoke. Commercial drone filming for construction documentation or real estate marketing on private property requires property owner consent but no city film permit. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within ROA Class C airspace boundaries. Carilion Clinic construction sites require coordination with hospital security and construction management due to patient privacy and safety considerations.