Topographic Data Collection in Martinsburg, WV

Airports & LAANC Zones

• MRB — Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (Class D airspace, located 5 miles south of Martinsburg — GA, corporate, and military; home to the 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard flying C-17 Globemaster III aircraft; LAANC available)
• IAD — Washington Dulles International Airport (Class B airspace, approximately 35 NM east in Virginia — major international commercial hub; the IAD Class B surface area extends from the surface up to 10,000 feet MSL with a 10 NM radius; LAANC available for transition routes)
• HGR — Hagerstown Regional Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 25 NM northeast in Maryland — GA and regional; LAANC available)
• FDK — Frederick Municipal Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 40 NM northeast in Maryland — GA and corporate; LAANC available)
• BKW — Raleigh County Memorial Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 130 NM south in Beckley — GA and regional; LAANC available)

Restricted Airspace

• Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (MRB) has Class D airspace with a 4.2 NM radius surface area from the surface up to 3,100 feet MGL. MRB is located 5 miles south of Martinsburg, meaning southern Martinsburg and the I-81 corridor fall within or near the MRB Class D boundaries. The 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard operates C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft from MRB, creating significant military flight operations including low-altitude approaches and departures. Commercial drone operators must obtain LAANC authorization before any flight within the MRB Class D area. The FAA B4UFLY app should be used to verify exact boundaries. The military operations also generate intermittent TFRs during training exercises and deployments.
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Class B airspace extends across a large area of Northern Virginia and the eastern West Virginia panhandle. While Martinsburg is outside the IAD Class B surface area, the IAD Class B outer shelf extends over portions of the Eastern Panhandle at altitudes above 7,000 feet. Drone operators flying above 400 feet AGL (the FAA Part 107 maximum) would not encounter this shelf, but the proximity of IAD means significant commercial air traffic transits the region at various altitudes. The IAD arrival and departure corridors pass near the Eastern Panhandle. Operators should maintain situational awareness of commercial jet traffic and check NOTAMs for active TFRs.
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is located approximately 15 miles south of Martinsburg at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. The National Park Service prohibits all drone operations within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park per 36 CFR 1.4, with no exceptions for commercial operators. This restriction is strictly enforced. The park encompasses significant historical sites including John Brown Fort, St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, and Civil War battlefield areas. Drone operators should be aware that the park boundary follows the rivers and extends into both Jefferson County, WV and Washington County, MD.
• The Appalachian Trail passes through the eastern panhandle approximately 10 miles east of Martinsburg. While the trail itself does not have restricted airspace, the Appalachian Trail corridor is managed by the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, which prohibit drone operations on the trail corridor and surrounding NPS-administered lands. The trail crosses the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, connecting with the C&O Canal towpath which also has NPS drone restrictions. The surrounding Appalachian Mountains create terrain-following challenges for drone operations, with ridge-to-valley elevation changes of 1,000+ feet common.
• The 167th Airlift Wing at MRB conducts regular C-17 Globemaster III training flights including low-altitude approaches, touch-and-go operations, and formation flights. These military operations create intermittent high-intensity traffic patterns around MRB and along the I-81 corridor. Drone operators should check NOTAMs and the FAA B4UFLY app for active TFRs before any commercial operation near MRB or along the I-81 corridor between Martinsburg and the Virginia border. The C-17 operations also generate significant jet noise and low-altitude military traffic that requires heightened situational awareness per FAA Part 107.39.

Local Ordinances

Martinsburg is governed by West Virginia state drone regulations under the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (WV Code §17-16-1 et seq., 2017) and FAA Part 107. The City of Martinsburg does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance as of 2026, but commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property requires authorization from the Martinsburg City Manager office. Martinsburg city parks including War Memorial Park, Oakwood Park, and the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation facilities require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority and Berkeley County operate along the I-81 corridor with active utility and infrastructure monitoring needs. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires coordination with the West Virginia Film Office and Martinsburg Police Department. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within the MRB Class D airspace boundary. Berkeley County Schools and Shepherd University properties require coordination with facility management for drone operations on their grounds.