Aerial Imaging Services in Anchorage, AK

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Alaska regulates drones through AS 44.09.020 (state jurisdiction over airspace consistent with federal law) and privacy statutes. Alaska Statute 11.61.320 criminalizes the use of a drone to capture images of private premises where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists, classifying violations as a class A misdemeanor. The Alaska legislature considered SB 21 (2014) and subsequent bills addressing drone use by law enforcement, requiring warrants for surveillance except in emergencies, search and rescue, and fish and wildlife enforcement. Alaska 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. Alaska State Parks require a permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing on state park land. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. Operators near military installations (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson AFB, Fort Wainwright, Clear Space Force Station) must coordinate with base operations and check for TFRs. Alaska's vast wilderness areas include extensive national park, national wildlife refuge, and military training airspace that may restrict drone operations. The Bureau of Land Management requires permits for commercial drone operations on BLM-managed land. The US Fish and Wildlife Service prohibits drone takeoff and landing in national wildlife refuges without a special use permit.

Local Ordinances

Anchorage is governed by Alaska state drone law (AS 02.35 Alaska Aeronautics Act, AS 11.61.320 privacy statutes) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The Municipality of Anchorage requires a commercial use permit for drone takeoff and landing in city parks, issued through Anchorage Parks and Recreation (907-343-4355). Chugach State Park requires an Alaska DNR commercial use permit for all drone operations. The Port of Alaska and Alaska Railroad facilities have federal maritime and transportation security restrictions on aerial photography. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising in Anchorage may require a film permit from the Anchorage Film Office. JBER military airspace coordination is mandatory for any operations near the base perimeter. LAANC authorization is required for flights within PANC Class C or PAMR Class D airspace boundaries. Alaska State Parks and BLM-managed lands require permits for commercial drone operations. The US Fish and Wildlife Service prohibits drone takeoff and landing in national wildlife refuges without a special use permit — relevant for operations near the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. Subarctic operations require specialized battery management — LiPo batteries lose 50-70 percent capacity at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and cold-weather pre-heating is essential from November through March.

Restricted Airspace

• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC) has Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius surface area and outer shelf extending to 10 NM. The Class C covers downtown Anchorage, the Seward Highway corridor, and much of west Anchorage including the Port of Alaska. Commercial drone operations within the PANC Class C lateral boundaries require LAANC authorization. PANC is a major international cargo hub — FedEx, UPS, and DHL operate heavy freight flights connecting Asia and North America, creating significant jet traffic at all hours. The airport is also a Part 93 special flight rules area with unique arrival and departure procedures under the Anchorage Terminal Area airspace.
• Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) occupies the entire northeast quadrant of the Anchorage bowl. The base operates F-22 Raptor fighters, C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, and AH-64 Apache helicopters. JBER has restricted airspace (R-2201, R-2202, R-2203) that is active at various times, and the base perimeter has security restrictions on aerial photography. Drone operations near JBER are strictly prohibited without explicit coordination with JBER Public Affairs (907-552-8888). The F-22s conduct afterburner takeoffs and low-level training that create sudden, high-speed aircraft traffic at low altitudes — a severe hazard for drone operators.
• Merrill Field (PAMR) has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area, located approximately 2 NM east of downtown Anchorage. Merrill Field is the busiest general aviation airport in Alaska with over 400 based aircraft and constant flight training, scenic flight, and air taxi operations. The Class D area covers the east Anchorage residential neighborhoods and the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. Commercial drone operations within the PAMR Class D require tower authorization. Floatplane traffic from Lake Hood (adjacent to PANC) creates additional low-altitude aircraft traffic across the Anchorage bowl.
• The Port of Alaska (Don Young Port of Alaska) on Cook Inlet is undergoing a $2+ billion modernization program and has maritime security zone restrictions. The port receives cargo ships, fuel tankers, and cruise vessel support traffic. Drone operations near the port should maintain awareness of vessel traffic and crane operations. Cook Inlet itself has tidal changes of up to 30 feet and strong currents — any drone operations over water carry elevated risk. The Alaska Railroad Corporation operates fuel trains and cargo along the coastal rail corridor between the port and inland Alaska.
• Chugach State Park, which begins at the eastern edge of the Anchorage bowl and encompasses the Chugach Mountains, requires an Alaska DNR State Parks permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing. The park boundary is within 5 miles of downtown Anchorage, and the steep mountain terrain creates dangerous downdraft conditions. The Alaska Native Medical Center and Providence Alaska Medical Center have active medevac helicopter operations — drone operators should avoid flight near hospitals and helipads. The Alaska Railroad bridges over Ship Creek and Chester Creek have infrastructure security considerations.