Drone Inspection in Port Huron, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• PHN — St. Clair County International Airport (Class D airspace, located approximately 6 NM southwest of downtown Port Huron, handles general aviation and corporate traffic for the Blue Water area)
• DTW — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Class B airspace, approximately 50 NM south in Romulus, major international airport serving the Detroit metro area)
• YQG — Windsor International Airport (Canadian Class D airspace, approximately 30 NM east across the border in Ontario, serves the Canadian side of the Blue Water area)

Restricted Airspace

• Port Huron is near Class D airspace centered on St. Clair County International Airport (PHN), located approximately 6 NM southwest of downtown. The Class D surface area extends approximately 4.5 NM radius from PHN up to 3,000 feet AGL. Most of downtown Port Huron is outside the Class D surface area, but operators in the southwestern part of the city should check the FAA B4UFLY app for specific boundaries. The proximity to Detroit Metro Class B airspace (DTW) approximately 50 NM south affects high-altitude transit corridors.
• The Blue Water Bridge is a major international border crossing and critical infrastructure consideration. The bridge connects Port Huron to Point Edward, Ontario, Canada, and is one of the busiest commercial border crossings between the US and Canada. The $239 million Blue Water Bridge plaza expansion project is a major construction project. Operations near the bridge and the land port of entry have enhanced security considerations from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency. Drone flights near the bridge and border crossing are restricted and require coordination with CBP.
• The St. Clair River corridor is an international waterway with Coast Guard and border security considerations. The river forms the US-Canada border and has active commercial shipping traffic. Operations near the river corridor should coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit. The Black River and the Port Huron harbor have recreational and environmental considerations. The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and the Lake Huron shoreline have tourism and environmental monitoring demand.
• The I-94 and I-69 highway corridors are major infrastructure assets. MDOT Bay Region manages state highway infrastructure in the area. The $239 million Blue Water Bridge plaza expansion includes highway interchange reconstruction and commercial vehicle inspection facility construction. The Pine Grove Avenue and Military Street corridors have ongoing commercial development. The St. Clair County Road Commission has an active construction and infrastructure inspection program.
• Port Huron is home to the McLaren Port Huron hospital campus, the St. Clair County Community College campus, and the downtown commercial district. The hospital campus has medical facility and privacy considerations. The SC4 campus includes academic buildings and residential facilities. The downtown Huron Avenue commercial district has dense retail and residential development. Operations near the campus and downtown area should coordinate with facility management and the Port Huron Downtown Development Authority.

Local Ordinances

Port Huron 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 Port Huron requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in city parks requires coordination with the Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department, including Pine Grove Park, Lakeside Park, and the Blue Water River Walk. Operations near the Blue Water Bridge and the land port of entry require coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Operations near St. Clair County International Airport (PHN) Class D airspace require LAANC authorization. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.