Drone Inspection in Gardner, KS

Airports & LAANC Zones

• OJC — Johnson County Executive Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 8 NM northeast in Olathe)
• IXU — New Century AirCenter (Class D airspace, approximately 6 NM north in New Century)
• MCI — Kansas City International Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 28 NM north in Missouri)
• MKC — Kansas City Downtown Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 22 NM northeast in Missouri)

Restricted Airspace

• Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC) Class D airspace extends approximately 5 nautical miles from the airport center in Olathe. Gardner falls within the OJC 5-NM notification zone for its northern areas. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone operations within this radius. The OJC Class D shelf sits at 3,100 feet MSL up to 5,000 feet MSL. Operators in northern Gardner near US-56 should check the OJC Class D boundary using the FAA B4UFLY app or LAANC provider apps.
• New Century AirCenter (IXU) is a former Naval Air Station with active Class D airspace approximately 6 NM north of Gardner. The IXU 5-NM zone covers northern Gardner and the Logistics Park Kansas City area. Commercial drone operations within 5 NM of IXU require notification of the airport manager and LAANC authorization for Class D penetration. IXU serves corporate and cargo operations for the Kansas City metro.
• Kansas City International Airport (MCI) Class C airspace covers a large area of the northern Kansas City metro. While Gardner is south of the MCI outer ring, commercial operators should check the MCI Mode C veil boundary using FAA B4UFLY before flying in northern Johnson County.
• Fort Leavenworth (approximately 40 NM northwest) has restricted airspace (R-3601) for military training. TFRs for VIP movements or military operations can occasionally affect the broader Kansas City region. Check NOTAMs before flying.
• Kill Creek Park and Kill Creek Streamway Park (managed by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District) are public recreation areas near Gardner where commercial drone takeoff and landing requires a special use permit from JCPRD. The parks have high public use during warmer months, requiring FAA Part 107 compliance for operations over people.

Local Ordinances

Gardner is governed by Kansas state drone law (HB 2607 of 2018) with local regulations limited by state preemption of flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Gardner may require permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property, including parks and municipal facilities. Kill Creek Park and the Kill Creek Streamway Trail are managed by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD), which requires a special use permit for commercial drone operations. Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC) requires drone operators to coordinate with the airport manager for any flights within 5 nautical miles, and LAANC authorization is mandatory for commercial operations in the OJC Class D airspace. New Century AirCenter (IXU) is only 6 NM north and also requires coordination for flights within 5 NM. The Gardner Planning and Development Department requires aerial imaging documentation for major development site plans submitted under the city Unified Development Ordinance. The city has no additional municipal drone registration requirement beyond FAA Part 107 certification.