Aerial Imagery in Kalamazoo, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• AZO — Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (Class D airspace, located in Oshtemo Township approximately 3 NM west of downtown Kalamazoo, commercial airport serving Southwest Michigan with American and Delta flights)
• BTL — W.K. Kellogg Airport (general aviation, approximately 20 NM east in Battle Creek, home to the W.K. Kellogg Airport and Duncan Aviation maintenance facility)
• EFT — South Haven Area Regional Airport (uncontrolled airspace, approximately 25 NM west near Lake Michigan, general aviation serving the lakeshore area)
• RQB — Three Rivers Municipal Airport (uncontrolled airspace, approximately 25 NM south, general aviation serving St. Joseph County)

Restricted Airspace

• Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) Class D airspace extends approximately 4.4 NM from the airport up to 2,600 feet MSL. The airport is located west of downtown in Oshtemo Township and handles commercial flights plus significant corporate and general aviation traffic. Commercial drone operators in western Kalamazoo, Oshtemo Township, and the I-94 commercial corridor must obtain LAANC authorization before flight. The airport serves as a reliever for some Grand Rapids corporate traffic and is a significant base for business aviation in Southwest Michigan.
• Western Michigan University campus has restrictions on unauthorized drone flights over university property. WMU has over 21,000 students and the campus includes research facilities, the College of Aviation (based at W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, one of the top collegiate aviation programs in the country), and athletic venues including Waldo Stadium (capacity 30,000). While NCAA football games may trigger TFRs, WMU's attendance levels are typically near the 30,000-seat threshold for mandatory stadium TFRs. Operators should check NOTAMs before game days.
• The Kalamazoo River corridor through the city has environmental remediation considerations from the 2010 Enbridge oil spill, which affected the river from Marshall to Kalamazoo. Environmental monitoring and sediment remediation projects along the river corridor may have specific aerial imaging requirements and access restrictions. The Kalamazoo River Superfund site and associated environmental monitoring zones require coordination with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the EPA.
• Pfizer pharmaceutical manufacturing campus (now part of Pfizer's global manufacturing network following the Upjohn-Pharmacia-Pfizer lineage, with operations including the former Upjohn Company facilities) has security considerations for commercial drone operations. The facility is one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in the United States and includes research and production buildings in the Portage/Kalamazoo area. Operators should coordinate with facility security for near-infrastructure flights.
• The I-94 and US-131 interchange areas near Kalamazoo have critical infrastructure considerations. MDOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure. The Westnedge Avenue and Stadium Drive commercial corridors have ongoing development requiring aerial monitoring, and operators should coordinate with MDOT for infrastructure inspection missions.

Local Ordinances

Kalamazoo 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. The City of Kalamazoo requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in Kalamazoo parks requires coordination with the Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation Department, including Milham Park, Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, and the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Western Michigan University prohibits unauthorized drone flights over campus property; operators must coordinate with WMU Public Safety. Operations near Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) Class D airspace require LAANC authorization. The Pfizer/Upjohn pharmaceutical manufacturing campus has enhanced security considerations. The Kalamazoo River corridor has environmental remediation zones requiring coordination with EGLE. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.