Topographic Data Collection in Staunton, VA

Airports & LAANC Zones

• SHD — Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (Class E airspace, approximately 12 NM east — regional GA airport serving the Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta area; no LAANC required for Class E surface area)
• CHO — Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 35 NM east — regional commercial airport; LAANC available)
• ROA — Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 70 NM south — commercial airport serving Western Virginia; LAANC available)
• OKV — Winchester Regional Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 80 NM north — GA airport serving Northern Shenandoah Valley; LAANC available)
• LYH — Lynchburg Regional Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 55 NM south — regional commercial and GA airport; LAANC available)

Restricted Airspace

• Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), located approximately 12 NM east of Staunton, operates in Class E airspace with a surface area. While Class E does not require LAANC authorization in the same way as Class B/C/D, commercial operators should be aware of traffic patterns and check NOTAMs. SHD serves as the primary GA airport for the Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta County region with corporate, flight training, and recreational traffic. The airport does not have a control tower, so operators should monitor the common traffic advisory frequency and exercise vigilance for aircraft traffic in the vicinity.
• The George Washington National Forest borders Augusta County to the west, with extensive forest lands extending into the Allegheny Mountains. The national forest is administered by the U.S. Forest Service, which allows drone operations under FAA Part 107 but may require special use permits for commercial filming or photography on forest lands. Operators flying in western Augusta County near the forest boundary should check USFS regulations. The forest has active timber management and prescribed burn operations that may create temporary airspace considerations and TFRs. Check NOTAMs before flying near active forest management areas.
• The Shenandoah National Park is located approximately 15 NM east of Staunton, with its western boundary along the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is administered by the National Park Service and prohibits drone operations on or over park lands without a special use permit. The park covers approximately 200,000 acres along the Blue Ridge crest. Commercial drone operators flying in eastern Augusta County or the Blue Ridge foothills should verify their location does not encroach on NPS-administered lands. The Skyline Drive corridor through the park is a popular tourist route with scenic overlooks where drone operations are prohibited.
• Staunton is located in the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west. The valley floor creates natural visual flight rules (VFR) corridors that attract GA traffic, including flight training from regional airports and cross-country transit traffic. Drone operators should maintain awareness of small aircraft traffic transiting the valley at varying altitudes. The I-81 and I-64 interchange near Staunton generates moderate helicopter traffic related to medical transport, utility inspection, and occasional news and law enforcement operations.
• The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, the American Shakespeare Center, and the Western State Hospital campus are located in or near downtown Staunton. These facilities do not have designated airspace restrictions but the hospital has an active helipad for medevac operations. Drone operators flying near the hospital campus should maintain situational awareness of helicopter traffic. The Mary Baldwin University campus is also located in Staunton and may have event-related drone restrictions during large campus gatherings.

Local Ordinances

Staunton is an independent city in Virginia 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 Staunton regulates drone takeoff and landing on public property under its municipal authority per § 15.2-926.3. Commercial drone operations in Staunton city parks including Gypsy Hill Park, Montgomery Hall Park, and Betsy Bell Wilderness Park require authorization from the Staunton Parks and Recreation Department. Augusta County parks require a commercial use permit. The George Washington National Forest to the west is USFS-administered and allows Part 107 operations but may require permits for commercial filming on forest lands. Shenandoah National Park to the east is NPS-administered and prohibits drone operations without a special use permit. 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 not typically required for flights in Staunton city limits as SHD operates in Class E airspace, but operators should check boundaries if flying near CHO, ROA, or OKV Class D airspace areas.