Environmental Monitoring in Saginaw, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• MBS — Saginaw/MBS International Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 8 NM north in Freeland, handles regional commercial service and corporate aviation, serves the Great Lakes Bay Region including Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland)
• FNT — Bishop International Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 30 NM south in Flint, handles commercial and corporate aviation for Genesee County)
• DTW — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Class C airspace, approximately 85 NM south in Romulus, major international commercial airport)

Restricted Airspace

• Saginaw/MBS International Airport (MBS) Class D airspace is approximately 8 NM north of Saginaw in Freeland. MBS Class D extends approximately 4.4 NM from the airport up to 3,000 feet MSL. Northern Saginaw operations near the Tittabawassee Road and Gratiel Avenue corridors may approach MBS Class D boundaries. LAANC authorization is available through FAA-approved providers. Most of central Saginaw is in Class E (uncontrolled) airspace.
• The I-75 and I-675 interchange complex in Saginaw has critical infrastructure considerations. MDOT has an active drone inspection program for bridge and highway infrastructure. The I-75 corridor through Saginaw is a major north-south commercial corridor connecting Flint to the Mackinac Bridge. The I-675 loop through downtown Saginaw and the Saginaw River bridges are major infrastructure assets requiring periodic inspection. The Zilwaukee Bridge over the Saginaw River on I-75 is a major infrastructure asset with ongoing inspection demand.
• Saginaw is home to several major healthcare facilities including the Covenant Medical Center campus and Ascension St. Mary's Hospital. Healthcare facilities have medical security considerations for commercial drone operations. The Covenant Medical Center Harrison campus and the Ascension St. Mary's of Michigan hospital complex create ongoing construction and renovation demand. Operations near hospital campuses should coordinate with facility security.
• The Saginaw River corridor through downtown Saginaw has significant environmental monitoring and industrial infrastructure considerations. The river is a major shipping channel for agricultural and industrial products. The Saginaw River dredging project and waterfront development create environmental monitoring demand. The riverfront area has industrial facilities including storage terminals and manufacturing plants. Environmental monitoring of the Saginaw River watershed and the Saginaw Bay contamination remediation creates ongoing demand for drone aerial imaging services.
• Saginaw has several historic and cultural facilities with security considerations. The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University, and the Saginaw Art Museum restrict unauthorized drone flights over their properties. The Dow Event Center downtown and the FirstMerit Event Park have enhanced security during events. Operations near these facilities should coordinate with venue management.

Local Ordinances

Saginaw 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 Saginaw requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in city parks requires coordination with the Saginaw Parks and Recreation Department, including Ojibway Island, Hoyt Park, and the Saginaw Riverfront. Operations near MBS Class D airspace may require LAANC authorization. Operations near the Saginaw River industrial corridor should coordinate with facility security. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.