Aerial Imagery in Omaha, NE

Airports & LAANC Zones

• OMA — Eppley Airfield (Class C airspace, 3 NM northeast of downtown, primary commercial airport for the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro)
• MLE — Millard Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, in west Omaha, general aviation, no control tower)
• CBF — Council Bluffs Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, 5 NM east across the Missouri River in Iowa, general aviation)
• OFF — Offutt Air Force Base (Class C airspace, 8 NM south in Bellevue, home of US Strategic Command, restricted military airspace)

Restricted Airspace

• Eppley Airfield (OMA) Class C airspace extends approximately 5 nautical miles from the airport center with a shelf from the surface up to 4,000 feet MSL, and an outer ring from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet MSL extending to 10 NM. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone operations within the Class C surface area. Most of north Omaha and the Missouri River riverfront fall within this zone. Use the FAA B4UFLY app or Aloft for real-time authorization.
• Offutt Air Force Base (OFF) Class C airspace covers Bellevue and south Omaha areas, extending approximately 5 NM from the base with restricted military operations. This is a strategically critical military installation (US Strategic Command headquarters). Drone operations near Offutt require extreme caution — check NOTAMs for active TFRs and military flight operations. The base has heightened security restrictions and any unauthorized drone activity in the vicinity will trigger immediate security response.
• TD Ameritrade Park and CHI Health Center (downtown Omaha) host large public gatherings including the NCAA College World Series, which triggers temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) extending up to 3 nautical miles. TFRs are active during the CWS (typically June) and other major events. FAA Part 107 prohibits flying over non-participants at all times.
• Omaha city parks require authorization from Omaha Parks and Recreation for commercial drone takeoff and landing. Seymour Lake Park, Zorinsky Lake Park, and Chalco Hills Recreation Area are popular locations where drone operations need prior approval. The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District manages flood control areas along the Missouri River where additional restrictions may apply.
• The Missouri River corridor between Omaha and Council Bluffs has bridge inspection and barge traffic considerations. The Union Pacific Railroad Bailey Yard (world's largest railroad classification yard) in North Platte is outside the Omaha area, but Union Pacific headquarters in downtown Omaha has infrastructure security zones. Railroad and critical infrastructure drone operations should coordinate with facility security.

Local Ordinances

Omaha does not have a comprehensive city 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 Omaha Parks and Recreation Department requires permits for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned park property, including Zorinsky Lake Park, Seymour Lake Park, and Chalco Hills Recreation Area. Operations near Eppley Airfield (OMA) Class C airspace require LAANC authorization via the FAA B4UFLY app or approved LAANC providers (Aloft, AirMap). Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue has restricted military airspace — drone operators should check NOTAMs and avoid the Class C surface area without authorization. The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District manages levee and flood control lands along the Missouri 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 agricultural areas in western Douglas County and surrounding Sarpy and Saunders counties.