Topographic Data Collection in Burlington, VT

Airports & LAANC Zones

• BTV — Burlington International Airport (Class C airspace, located within Burlington city limits on the south side — Vermont largest commercial airport; LAANC available; also home to the Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing)
• PBG — Plattsburgh International Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 35 NM west across Lake Champlain in New York — regional commercial and GA; LAANC available)
• MPV — Edward F. Knapp State Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 45 NM southeast in Barre/Montpelier — GA and corporate; LAANC available)
• LEB — Lebanon Municipal Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 60 NM southeast in Lebanon, NH — GA and regional commercial; LAANC available)
• B16 — Burlington International Heliport (FAA heliport, University of Vermont Medical Center helipad — medevac operations; low-altitude helicopter traffic near hospital district)

Restricted Airspace

• Burlington International Airport (BTV) has Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius surface area from the surface up to 4,000 feet AGL, and an outer area extending from 10 NM to 20 NM up to 10,000 feet. BTV is located within Burlington city limits on the south side, meaning much of southern and central Burlington falls within or near the BTV Class C surface area. Commercial drone operators must obtain LAANC authorization before flying within the BTV Class C boundaries. The FAA B4UFLY app should be used to verify exact boundaries. BTV is Vermont busiest commercial airport with significant airline, corporate, and military traffic including the Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing F-35 operations.
• The Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing operates F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from BTV. Military flight operations create intermittent high-intensity military operations areas (MOA) and temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) around the airport during training exercises and deployments. Drone operators should check NOTAMs and the FAA B4UFLY app for active TFRs before any commercial operation near BTV. The F-35 operations also generate significant jet noise and low-altitude traffic patterns that require heightened situational awareness for drone operators.
• Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) is approximately 35 NM west across Lake Champlain in New York and has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area. While Burlington is outside the PBG Class D lateral boundaries, operators flying near the Lake Champlain shoreline should be aware of PBG traffic patterns. PBG handles regional commercial and GA traffic. LAANC authorization is available for the PBG Class D area. The Lake Champlain crossing corridor has moderate helicopter and small aircraft traffic.
• The Green Mountain National Forest lies approximately 30 miles east of Burlington. While the national forest does not have restricted airspace per se, the FAA recommends maintaining safe altitude when operating near forested mountainous terrain. Drone operations in the national forest require a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service for commercial filming or research. The Adirondack Park in New York, visible across Lake Champlain to the west, also has drone restrictions in designated wilderness areas.
• The Burlington waterfront and Lake Champlain area has moderate helicopter traffic including UVM Medical Center medevac flights, news helicopters, U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue operations from the Burlington Coast Guard station, and scenic tour flights. The I-89 corridor through Burlington has active medevac helicopter routes. Drone operators flying near the waterfront, Lake Champlain, or the UVM Medical Center area should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic per FAA Part 107.39.

Local Ordinances

Burlington is governed by Vermont state drone regulations and FAA Part 107. The City of Burlington does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance as of 2026, but commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property requires authorization from the Burlington Department of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront. Burlington city parks including Waterfront Park, Battery Park, Oakledge Park, North Beach Park, and the Burlington Bike Path corridor require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The Burlington Waterfront district and Lake Champlain shoreline are regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation for drone operations near water quality monitoring areas. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires coordination with the Vermont Film Commission and Burlington Police Department. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within the BTV Class C airspace boundary. The University of Vermont campus requires coordination with UVM facilities management for drone operations on university property.