Aerial Imaging Services in Rock Springs, WY

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Wyoming does not have comprehensive state-level drone legislation. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and comply with all federal regulations. Wyoming Statutes § 31-1-101(a)(vi) defines aircraft as including unmanned aircraft, subjecting them to state aviation regulations where applicable, but the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission defers to FAA authority for commercial drone operations under Part 107. No state-level drone registration or permitting requirement exists beyond FAA registration. The Wyoming Legislature has considered privacy-related drone bills but none have been enacted into law. Local municipalities may regulate takeoff and landing on public property. Wyoming State Parks require permits for commercial drone operations. Operators should check for local city and county ordinances regarding park usage and public property restrictions.

Local Ordinances

Rock Springs does not have a comprehensive city-specific drone ordinance, relying on FAA Part 107 regulations and Wyoming state law. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Rock Springs Parks and Recreation Department requires authorization for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned park property, including Bunning Park, Railroad Park, and the Rock Springs Family Recreation Center grounds. Operations near Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (RKS) do not require LAANC authorization since it is Class E with no control tower, but operators should monitor CTAF and remain clear of the traffic pattern. Trona mining and energy processing facilities may have active TFRs requiring NOTAM checks. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area requires USFS special use permits for commercial drone operations. BLM lands north of the city may have seasonal wildlife restrictions administered by the Rock Springs BLM Field Office.

Restricted Airspace

• Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (RKS) operates as a Class E surface area with no control tower, meaning commercial drone operators do not need LAANC authorization for the surface area. However, operators must comply with all FAA Part 107 regulations and should monitor CTAF frequency 122.9 and remain clear of the airport traffic pattern. The airport is located 11 miles east of Rock Springs at 6,628 feet elevation, and the high altitude reduces drone battery life by approximately 15-20 percent compared to sea level operations. The airport handles general aviation, energy industry charter flights, and medevac helicopter operations.
• The trona mining district northeast of Rock Springs produces over 90 percent of the world supply of natural soda ash. The mines operated by Tata Chemicals, Ciner Wyoming, and Solvay Chemicals include extensive surface and subsurface operations with associated processing facilities. While the mines are private property, the FAA has established temporary flight restrictions for certain chemical processing infrastructure. Operators conducting aerial mapping work for the trona mining sector should check NOTAMs via B4UFLY for active TFRs and coordinate with facility operators before flying near processing plants and pipeline corridors.
• White Mountain Common Area and Pilot Butte Wild Horses Loop north of Rock Springs encompass Bureau of Land Management lands with seasonal wildlife restrictions. The BLM manages extensive grazing, energy leasing, and wild horse management areas in the Red Desert region. Commercial drone operators conducting aerial mapping work for energy companies or land management should check with the Rock Springs BLM Field Office for area-specific flight restrictions. Sage grouse lekking areas may have seasonal drone restrictions during spring mating season to protect sensitive wildlife populations.
• Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, located 45 miles south of Rock Springs, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Ashley National Forest. Commercial drone operations on the recreation area require a special use permit from the Flaming Gorge Ranger District. The reservoir and surrounding red rock canyons are popular for boating, fishing, and hiking, and FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants. Recreational drone use under FAA TRUST is permitted without a USFS permit but must follow all FAA guidelines.
• The Interstate 80 corridor through Rock Springs includes the White Mountain Road interchange and the ongoing highway widening projects. Commercial drone operations for WYDOT construction monitoring require coordination with the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the construction contractor. The highway corridor is heavily used by truck traffic, and FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over moving vehicles. Operators conducting aerial mapping work for WYDOT should establish safe operating zones and coordinate with traffic control personnel on site.