Topographic Data Collection in Norfolk, NE

Airports & LAANC Zones

• OFK — Karl Stefan Memorial Airport (Class E airspace, 3 NM southwest of downtown, general aviation, no control tower, 5,400 ft runway)
• BBW — Broken Bow Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, 85 NM west, general aviation, uncontrolled)
• OMA — Eppley Airfield (Class C airspace, 110 NM southeast in Omaha, nearest commercial airline service, controlled airspace requiring LAANC within 5 NM)
• ONL — O'Neill Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, 45 NM north, general aviation, uncontrolled)

Restricted Airspace

• Karl Stefan Memorial Airport (OFK) Class E airspace extends from the surface to 14,500 feet MSL. While Class E does not require LAANC authorization for commercial drone operations under Part 107, operators must register their drone with the FAA and maintain visual line of sight. The airport is uncontrolled (no tower), so drone operators should monitor CTAF frequency 122.8 MHz for traffic awareness. Check the FAA B4UFLY app to confirm airspace class at your specific flight location.
• Eppley Airfield (OMA) Class C airspace is approximately 110 nautical miles southeast of Norfolk. While Norfolk is well outside the OMA Class C surface area, operators traveling toward the Omaha metro should be aware of the controlled airspace boundary. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone operations within the OMA Class C surface area.
• Norfolk city parks require authorization from the Norfolk Parks and Recreation Department for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property. Skyview Park, Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, and the Riverpointe area along the North Fork of the Elkhorn River are popular outdoor spaces where unauthorized drone operations can result in citations. The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District manages flood control lands and levee systems along the Elkhorn River where additional property use agreements may apply.
• The North Fork of the Elkhorn River corridor through Norfolk has bridge infrastructure, pedestrian trails, and recreational areas. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants and moving vehicles. The Benjamin Avenue bridge, the 1st Street bridge, and the riverfront trail system may have specific considerations for aerial inspection work. The river corridor is prone to seasonal flooding, and the levee system is monitored by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District.
• Northeast Community College campus has moderate-density pedestrian areas and outdoor event spaces, including the Cox Activities Center and the Chuck M. Pohlman Ag Complex. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants. Drone operators should avoid flying over crowds and check for event schedules before conducting aerial mappings near campus facilities.

Local Ordinances

Norfolk does not have a comprehensive city-specific drone ordinance, relying on FAA Part 107 regulations and Nebraska state law. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Norfolk Parks and Recreation Department requires permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned park property, including Skyview Park, Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, and the Riverpointe recreational area along the Elkhorn River. Operations near Karl Stefan Memorial Airport (OFK) should follow Class E airspace procedures — while LAANC is not required for Class E surface areas, operators should monitor CTAF 122.8 MHz and file a NOTAM for operations within 5 NM of the airport. The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District manages levee and flood control lands along the Elkhorn River where additional property use agreements may be required. Nebraska Revised Statute § 2-4,119 restricts drone surveillance of agricultural operations without owner consent, relevant to the extensive agricultural areas surrounding Norfolk in Madison County.