Aerial Imaging Services in Van Buren, AR

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Arkansas regulates drones primarily through Act 819 of 2019 and Ark. Code Ann. § 5-60-130, which prohibits the use of unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance of a person, place, or thing without consent when a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. The law creates a civil cause of action for persons subjected to unauthorized drone surveillance and restricts law enforcement drone use to require a warrant except in exigent circumstances, search and rescue, and wildfire response. Ark. Code Ann. § 14-361-120 preempts local municipalities from regulating drone flight paths, navigable airspace, or pilot qualifications, though cities may regulate takeoff and landing on public property they own. Arkansas does not require a separate state-level drone license for commercial operators, but all commercial pilots must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Arkansas Department of Aviation maintains UAS guidelines and encourages operators to coordinate with the state aviation director for operations near public-use airports. Arkansas state parks require a permit from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for commercial drone takeoff and landing. Operators near military installations (Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville) must coordinate with base operations and check for active TFRs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. Arkansas has no additional state drone registration requirement beyond FAA registration.

Local Ordinances

Van Buren is governed by Arkansas state drone law (Act 819 of 2019) with local regulations limited by Ark. Code Ann. § 14-361-120, which preempts municipalities from regulating drone flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Van Buren may require permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property, including parks, the Riverfront Development area, and the Crawford County Courthouse grounds. Van Buren Parks and Recreation manages City Lake Park, Lee Creek Park, and the Arkansas River Trailhead, where commercial drone operations require prior authorization. Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) control tower must be notified for any drone operations within 5 nautical miles, and LAANC authorization is required for the Class D airspace covering south Van Buren. The Van Buren Planning Department requires aerial imaging documentation for new development site plans submitted under the city zoning ordinance. Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation and Entergy Arkansas may have restrictions on drone flights near natural gas pipelines and substations along the growing Interstate 540 and Highway 59 corridors.

Restricted Airspace

• Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) Class D airspace extends approximately 4.5 NM from the airport surface up to 3,000 feet AGL. Van Buren city center sits approximately 3 NM northeast of FSM, placing portions of south Van Buren within the Class D surface area. Drone operators in south Van Buren must obtain LAANC authorization or coordinate with the FSM control tower before flying. The Class D shelf covers much of the Arkansas River floodplain between the two cities.
• Ebbing Air National Guard Base (FSM field) shares the Fort Smith Regional Airport complex and hosts the 188th Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard. Military training operations including A-10 and F-35 flights create intermittent TFRs and heightened airspace awareness requirements. Drone operators in Van Buren should check NOTAMs before flying, especially south of the Arkansas River.
• The Arkansas River levee system is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and traverses the southern boundary of Van Buren. Commercial drone operations for levee inspection or along the river corridor require coordination with the USACE Little Rock District. The levee system spans multiple miles and is actively maintained for flood control.
• Crawford County Airport (M94) is an uncontrolled general aviation airport approximately 8 NM north. While no controlled airspace extends from M94, FAA Part 107 requires notification to the airport manager for drone operations within 5 NM. The airport serves agricultural and recreational pilots with moderate GA traffic.
• Van Buren Historic District and the Arkansas River Heritage Trail corridor are managed in part by the National Park Service and Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Commercial drone takeoff and landing on state-managed riverfront property requires permits from the state parks division.