Aerial Imaging Services in Charleston, WV

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

West Virginia enacted the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act in 2017 (WV Code §17-16-1 et seq.), which establishes baseline rules for commercial and recreational drone operations statewide. The law requires all commercial drone operators to hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with the FAA. West Virginia follows FAA Part 107 preemption on airspace regulation — municipalities cannot enact their own airspace rules but may regulate takeoff and landing on public property. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all state parks and state forests without a special use permit issued by the park superintendent. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and other National Park Service properties in West Virginia prohibit all drone operations per 36 CFR 1.4 — no exceptions for commercial operators. The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) requires notification for drone operations within 500 feet of state highways and bridges for infrastructure inspection projects. No state-level drone registration is required beyond FAA registration. West Virginia privacy statutes (WV Code §61-8-28) address surveillance and harassment — operators must avoid capturing images of private property where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. The Eastern Panhandle region near the Maryland and Virginia borders has overlapping airspace with multiple Class D and Class B airports including Dulles International (IAD) and Martinsburg Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (MRB).

Local Ordinances

Charleston is governed by West Virginia state drone law (WV Code §17-16-1 et seq.) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Charleston does not have a standalone municipal drone ordinance, but commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property requires authorization from the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department. City parks including the Kanawha Boulevard riverfront, the Charleston City Park (Kanawha City area), and the Daniel Boone Park require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The West Virginia State Capitol and state government grounds are state-managed property requiring authorization from the West Virginia Division of General Services. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) state parks and forests require a special use permit. The West Virginia Department of Transportation requires notification for drone operations within 500 feet of state highways and bridges for infrastructure inspection. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within the CRW Class D airspace boundaries.

Restricted Airspace

• West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) has Class D airspace extending from the surface to 2,500 feet AGL within a 4.4 NM radius of the airport. CRW is located just 3 miles east of downtown Charleston, and its Class D controlled airspace blankets much of the city and the Kanawha and Elk river valleys. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone operations within the CRW Class D lateral boundaries. The airport is owned by the Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority and hosts McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, home to the 130th Airlift Wing operating C-130 Hercules aircraft. CRW is undergoing a major terminal and concourse redevelopment, the CRW Next Terminal Development Project, with significant FAA Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act grant funding.
• The West Virginia State Capitol complex along the Kanawha River has enhanced security airspace considerations. The Capitol building, the Executive Mansion, and the state government campus are managed by the West Virginia Division of General Services. While there is no permanent TFR, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are issued during legislative sessions and high-profile government events. Commercial drone operations near the State Capitol and the surrounding state government buildings require coordination with state security and General Services.
• McLaughlin Air National Guard Base at CRW operates C-130 Hercules aircraft of the 130th Airlift Wing, and the military ramp and hangar area are secure. Drone operators flying near the airport and along the CRW approach/departure corridors should be aware of military C-130 traffic patterns and the security-sensitive areas of the base. The airport sits on a man-made plateau (the former Coonskin Park hill was lowered to create the runway) giving it unique terrain and approach characteristics.
• The Kanawha River and Elk River valleys through Charleston form a narrow, mountainous river valley corridor. The valley terrain creates challenging GPS and radio line-of-sight conditions for drone operations, with steep hillsides on either side of the rivers. The Kanawha River has active barge traffic (coal, chemical, and industrial cargo), and the Charleston riverfront has active rail and industrial corridors. The city is home to a major chemical industry complex, and West Virginia Code § 61-8-28 addresses surveillance and privacy that operators must respect.
• The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, approximately 50 miles southeast of Charleston, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park both prohibit all drone operations per NPS 36 CFR 1.4. While these parks are outside the immediate Charleston metro, operators working on regional projects should be aware of the NPS drone prohibition. The Charleston area also has moderate helicopter traffic including medical air ambulance (CAMC Charleston Area Medical Center operates HEMS flights) and occasional law enforcement and news traffic.