Drone Inspection in Royal Oak, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• DET — Coleman A. Young International Airport (formerly Detroit City Airport, Class D airspace, approximately 8 NM southeast in Detroit, handles general aviation and limited cargo)
• PTK — Oakland County International Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 12 NM northwest in Waterford Township, one of the busiest GA airports in Michigan)
• DTW — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 25 NM south in Romulus, major international commercial airport)

Restricted Airspace

• Coleman A. Young International Airport (DET) Class D airspace is approximately 8 NM southeast of Royal Oak. The DET Class D area extends from the airport up to 3,000 feet MSL. Southeastern Royal Oak operations near the 8 Mile Road and I-75 corridors may approach DET Class D boundaries. LAANC authorization is available through FAA-approved providers.
• The I-696 and I-75 interchange complex on the southern edge of Royal Oak has critical infrastructure considerations. MDOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure. The I-696 corridor through Royal Oak is one of the busiest commuter corridors in Metro Detroit. The 11 Mile Road, 12 Mile Road, and Main Street bridges over I-696 are major infrastructure assets requiring periodic inspection.
• Royal Oak is home to the Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak campus (Corewell Health), one of the largest hospital campuses in Michigan and a Level I trauma center. The hospital complex has medical facility security considerations for commercial drone operations. Operators should coordinate with Corewell Health security for flights near the hospital campus and medical office buildings on the 13 Mile Road corridor.
• The Royal Oak downtown district along Main Street has dense residential, retail, and entertainment development with privacy considerations. The downtown area includes high-rise residential condominiums, the Royal Oak Music Theatre district, and active mixed-use development. Operations near downtown residential towers and the entertainment district should coordinate with property management. The Center Street and Washington Avenue corridors have ongoing construction activity.
• The Red Run River corridor and the George A. Donigian Nature Preserve in southern Royal Oak have environmental monitoring considerations. The Red Run drain system is part of the Clinton River watershed. Environmental monitoring of the river corridor creates demand for drone aerial imaging services. The nature preserve restricts unauthorized drone flights over preserve property.

Local Ordinances

Royal Oak operates under the Michigan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (Public Act 451 of 2016, MCL 259.301 et seq.) which preempts local regulation of drone flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Royal Oak requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in city parks requires coordination with the Royal Oak Parks and Recreation Department, including Memorial Park, Starr-Jaycee Park, and the Donigian Nature Preserve. Operations near Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak campus should coordinate with Corewell Health security. Operations near DET Class D airspace may require LAANC authorization. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.