Topographic Data Collection in New Rochelle, NY

Airports & LAANC Zones

• HPN — Westchester County Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 6 NM northeast in White Plains — busiest corporate aviation airport in the Northeast; LAANC available)
• LGA — LaGuardia Airport (Class B airspace, approximately 15 NM southwest — major NYC commercial airport; LAANC required for Class B shelf areas)
• JFK — John F. Kennedy International Airport (Class B airspace, approximately 22 NM south — major international hub; LAANC required)
• EWR — Newark Liberty International Airport (Class B airspace, approximately 25 NM southwest — major international hub; LAANC required)
• TEB — Teterboro Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 18 NM west in New Jersey — high-volume corporate GA airport; LAANC available)

Restricted Airspace

• New Rochelle sits beneath the New York Class B airspace umbrella. While most of the city is below the Class B lateral boundaries at the surface, the LGA Class B outer shelves extend over portions of southern Westchester County. Commercial drone operations below 400 feet AGL are generally permissible under FAA Part 107, but operators should check the FAA B4UFLY app for specific shelf boundaries. LAANC authorization is available for the surrounding Class B and Class D areas.
• Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains is approximately 6 NM northeast of downtown New Rochelle and has Class D airspace with a 4.5 NM radius surface area. Northern New Rochelle and the Quaker Ridge area may fall within the HPN Class D lateral boundaries depending on exact location. HPN is one of the busiest corporate aviation airports in the Northeast with heavy business jet, turboprop, and helicopter traffic. LAANC authorization is available for the HPN Class D area and commercial operators should verify their position relative to the 4.5 NM radius.
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Class B airspace is approximately 15 NM southwest. The LGA Class B surface area has a 5 NM radius and its outer shelves extend northward over the Bronx and parts of southern Westchester. While New Rochelle is generally outside the LGA Class B surface area, operators in southern New Rochelle near the Eastchester Bay shoreline should check for Class B shelf boundaries. LAANC authorization is required for any flight within the LGA Class B lateral boundaries.
• The Long Island Sound coastline along eastern New Rochelle has moderate helicopter traffic including news, medevac, and sightseeing helicopters transiting between NYC and Long Island. While this is not a designated VFR corridor like the Hudson River, drone operators flying near the waterfront and offshore islands (Glen Island, Echo Bay) should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic.
• New Rochelle is approximately 30 NM south of West Point Military Reservation (United States Military Academy). While restricted area R-5302A/B over West Point does not directly affect New Rochelle airspace, commercial operators traveling to projects in the broader Hudson Valley region should check NOTAMs for West Point TFRs during military exercises or VIP visits. The Stewart Air National Guard Base at Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh, approximately 40 NM north, has military operations areas that can affect northern Westchester airspace.

Local Ordinances

New Rochelle is governed by New York state drone law (NY Penal Law 250.55) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of New Rochelle 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 New Rochelle Department of Parks and Recreation. City parks including Hudson Park, Davenport Park, Five Islands Park, and Twin Lakes Park require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The New Rochelle waterfront and Glen Island Park are managed by the city and require coordination for commercial filming and data collection work. Westchester County parks within or near New Rochelle (including Twin Lakes County Park and Saxon Woods Park) require a commercial use permit from the Westchester County Parks Department under county regulations. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires a film permit from the Westchester County Film Office and coordination with the New Rochelle Police Department. New York State parks require a permit under 9 NYCRR 375.1. New Rochelle is outside the boundaries of New York City, so NYC Local Law 152 of 2024 does not apply, but the nearby Bronx border means operators working across the city line must be aware of NYC restrictions. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within HPN Class D or LGA Class B airspace boundaries.