Topographic Data Collection in Billings, MT

Airports & LAANC Zones

• BIL — Billings Logan International Airport (Class D airspace, 2 miles north of downtown, controlled airspace requiring LAANC for commercial drone ops within 5 NM)
• MLS — Laurel Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, 12 miles southwest, general aviation, no control tower)
• HVR — Havre City-County Airport (Class E airspace, 150 miles north, general aviation reference for northern Montana ops)
• SHM — Scobey Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, 200 miles northeast, general aviation reference for remote eastern Montana)

Restricted Airspace

• Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) has Class D airspace extending from the surface to 5,400 feet MSL within 4 nautical miles of the airport. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone operations within this controlled airspace. BIL is the second-busiest airport in Montana, handling approximately 400,000 passengers annually with commercial airline service from United, Delta, Alaska, and Allegiant. Drone operators must use the FAA B4UFLY app or approved LAANC providers (Aloft, AirMap) for authorization before flying within the Class D surface area. BIL air traffic control tower frequency is 119.3 MHz.
• The Yellowstone River corridor running through Billings is a sensitive wildlife corridor. While not a formal no-drone zone, the Yellowstone River hosts bald eagle nests, osprey nesting platforms, and migratory bird activity, especially during spring and fall. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants, and wildlife disturbance is addressed under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Drone operators conducting aerial mapping work along the river corridor — including the popular Ann T. Park, Riverfront Park, and the South Billings Boulevard river access — should maintain altitude awareness and avoid low-altitude flights near documented nest sites, especially during nesting season (March through August).
• Swords Park and the Rimrocks (the sandstone cliff formations north of downtown) attract large numbers of hikers, runners, and sightseers, especially during summer. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants. The Rimrocks cliffs create a popular gathering spot for photographers and tourists. Commercial drone operators conducting real estate or construction aerial imaging work near the Rims should be aware of heavy pedestrian traffic on the trail system, particularly on weekends. Additionally, the Billings MetraPark venue at the base of the Rims hosts large events (MontanaFair draws 200,000+ visitors annually) that create temporary mass gatherings — avoid drone flights over these events entirely.
• The Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare hospital campuses in central Billings have helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations. The hospitals operate Life Flight and HELP Flight helicopter services with rooftop and ground-level helipads. Drone operators should maintain awareness of HEMS flight corridors, especially during emergency medical calls. The FAA requires drone operators to yield right-of-way to all manned aircraft, including emergency helicopters. Commercial drone aerial imaging work near hospital campuses — including the Billings Clinic campus at 2802 10th Avenue North and St. Vincent at 915 North 30th Street — should coordinate with hospital facilities management and monitor aviation radio frequencies (122.9 MHz) for HEMS activity.
• The Billings refinery corridor along the south side of the city includes the CHS Inc. Laurel Refinery (12 miles southwest in Laurel, MT) and the Calumet Montana Refining facility in Great Falls (not local but referenced for statewide context). The CHS Laurel Refinery is classified as critical infrastructure under FAA regulations. Drone operations over or near petroleum refineries and associated tank farms are restricted under FAA Part 107 and may trigger federal critical infrastructure protection regulations. The refinery area in Laurel has rail spur infrastructure and tank farm facilities that require additional coordination. Drone operators should maintain a minimum 500-foot lateral distance from refinery infrastructure unless authorized, and should never fly directly over pipeline corridors or tank farms.

Local Ordinances

Billings does not have a comprehensive city-specific drone ordinance, relying on FAA Part 107 regulations and Montana state law. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Billings Parks and Recreation Department requires authorization for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned park property, including Pioneer Park, Castlewood Park, Riverfront Park, and Ann T. Park. Operations near Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) require LAANC authorization for the Class D surface area within 4 NM of the airport. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks requires permits for drone operations in state parks, including Pictograph Cave State Park 5 miles southeast and Cooney State Park 40 miles southwest. The Billings MetraPark complex requires event coordinator authorization for any commercial drone operations during events. Montana Code Annotated § 60-1-101 includes drones in the definition of aircraft, but the state defers to FAA authority for Part 107 commercial operations.