Aerial Imaging Services in East Hartford, CT

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

Connecticut regulates drone operations primarily through privacy statutes and state park rules rather than a comprehensive commercial drone licensing framework. Connecticut Public Act 23-76 (2023) addresses drone surveillance and privacy, prohibiting the use of unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance of private property without consent and restricting drone operations near critical infrastructure facilities. Connecticut General Statutes § 29-307 restricts the operation of drones near critical facilities including power plants, substations, and water treatment facilities. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas without a special use permit issued by the DEEP Office of Outdoor Recreation. Connecticut does not require a separate state-level commercial drone license or registration, but all commercial operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with the FAA. The state generally follows FAA Part 107 preemption on airspace regulation, meaning municipalities cannot enact their own airspace rules but may regulate takeoff and landing on public property. Commercial operators near military installations (Naval Submarine Base New London, Bradley Air National Guard) must coordinate with base operations and check NOTAMs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL and LAANC authorization is available for Class B, C, and D airspace across Connecticut, including the busy Bradley International (BDL) Class C and Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport Class D areas.

Local Ordinances

East Hartford is governed by Connecticut state drone law and FAA Part 107 rules. The town requires a permit for takeoff or landing on town property, issued through the East Hartford Public Works or Recreation departments. The Capitol Planning Region (which includes East Hartford, Hartford, and the surrounding towns) operates its own permitting regime for commercial work on regional projects. The Connecticut River waterfront and the two I-84 and I-91 bridge spans are subject to ConnDOT right-of-way rules and any work on those bridges requires a ConnDOT permit. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulates operations over any bald or golden eagle roost habitat along the river. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and LAANC (inside Class B/C/D) are required for all commercial operations.

Restricted Airspace

• BDL (Bradley International) has Class B airspace covering much of the Hartford metro. East Hartford sits within the BDL Class B shelf, so commercial work in most of the city requires LAANC authorization. The Class B surface area extends down to 1900 feet AGL in the immediate terminal area.
• HFD (Hartford Brainard) has Class D airspace about 3 miles to the south across the river. The Class D surface area covers the airport and its approach corridors. LAANC is required inside the Class D surface area and in some of the approach corridors that reach into East Hartford.
• The Connecticut River corridor running through East Hartford has moderate commercial and recreational traffic including cargo barges that move up and down the river to New Haven. Low altitude work over the river and the two major river crossings (the I-84 and I-91 bridge spans) is a collision risk in practice.