Aerial Imagery in Canton, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• DTW — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 8 NM south in Romulus, major international commercial airport serving Metro Detroit with over 30 million annual passengers. Canton is directly north of DTW and operations throughout the township may be affected by DTW approach and departure corridors)
• DET — Coleman A. Young International Airport (formerly Detroit City Airport, Class D airspace, approximately 14 NM northeast in Detroit, handles general aviation and limited cargo)
• YIP — Willow Run Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 10 NM southwest in Ypsilanti, major cargo and GA facility, historically significant WWII bomber production airport, handles freight and general aviation)

Restricted Airspace

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Class C airspace is the primary airspace consideration for Canton. DTW Class C extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet MSL in the inner core and from the surface to 2,500 feet in the outer area. Canton is directly north of DTW and southern/central portions of the township fall within the DTW Class C outer area. LAANC authorization is required for operations in the Class C area. The DTW approach and departure corridors pass over Canton, making altitude coordination critical. Commercial operators should check LAANC grid squares for every flight location.
• Willow Run Airport (YIP) Class D airspace is approximately 10 NM southwest of Canton in Ypsilanti. YIP handles significant cargo operations and general aviation. Southwestern Canton operations near the I-275 and Michigan Avenue corridor may approach YIP Class D boundaries. LAANC authorization is available for the YIP Class D area.
• The I-275 and I-96 interchange complex in Canton has critical infrastructure considerations. MDOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure. The I-275 corridor through Canton is one of the busiest north-south corridors in Metro Detroit, connecting to I-96, I-94, and I-696. The Ford Road and Michigan Avenue bridges over I-275 are major infrastructure assets requiring periodic inspection.
• Canton is home to several major commercial and industrial facilities including the Ford Motor Company Sheldon Road proving grounds, the Canton Commerce Center, and numerous logistics and distribution centers along the Michigan Avenue and I-275 corridors. Corporate and industrial facilities have enhanced security considerations for commercial drone operations. The Sheldon Road industrial corridor has active construction monitoring demand.
• The Lower Rouge River corridor through central Canton has environmental monitoring and flood control infrastructure. The river flows through several park properties managed by Canton Parks and Recreation, including Heritage Park, Freedom Park, and the Lower Rouge River Trail. Environmental monitoring of the Rouge River watershed creates demand for drone aerial imaging services along the corridor.

Local Ordinances

Canton operates under the Michigan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (Public Act 451 of 2016, MCL 259.301 et seq.) which preempts local regulation of drone flight paths and navigable airspace. Canton Township requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in township parks requires coordination with Canton Parks and Recreation, including Heritage Park, Freedom Park, and Heritage Hollow. Operations near DTW Class C airspace require LAANC authorization. Canton is directly in the DTW approach/departure corridor, making airspace coordination especially important. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.