Topographic Data Collection in South Burlington, VT

Airports & LAANC Zones

• BTV — Burlington International Airport (Class C airspace, located entirely within South Burlington city limits — Vermont largest commercial airport; LAANC available; also home to the Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing F-35A operations)
• MPV — Edward F. Knapp State Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 45 NM southeast in Barre/Montpelier — GA and corporate; LAANC available)
• LEB — Lebanon Municipal Airport (Class D airspace, approximately 60 NM southeast in Lebanon, NH — GA and regional commercial; LAANC available)
• B16 — Burlington International Heliport (FAA heliport, University of Vermont Medical Center helipad — medevac operations; low-altitude helicopter traffic near hospital district)

Restricted Airspace

• Burlington International Airport (BTV) is located entirely within South Burlington city limits on the south side. BTV has Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius surface area from the surface up to 4,000 feet AGL, and an outer area extending from 10 NM to 20 NM up to 10,000 feet. Nearly all of South Burlington falls within or near the BTV Class C surface area. Commercial drone operators must obtain LAANC authorization before flying within the BTV Class C boundaries. The FAA B4UFLY app should be used to verify exact boundaries. BTV is Vermont busiest commercial airport with significant airline, corporate, and military traffic.
• The Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing operates F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from BTV, which is physically located in South Burlington. Military flight operations create intermittent high-intensity military operations areas (MOA) and temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) around the airport during training exercises and deployments. Drone operators should check NOTAMs and the FAA B4UFLY app for active TFRs before any commercial operation near BTV. The F-35 operations also generate significant jet noise and low-altitude traffic patterns that require heightened situational awareness for drone operators.
• The University of Vermont Medical Center, located adjacent to South Burlington in Burlington, operates medevac helicopter flights from its helipad (B16). The UVM Medical Center campus and the I-89 corridor have active medevac helicopter routes. Drone operators flying near the medical center area should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic per FAA Part 107.39. The Burlington International Airport approach and departure corridors directly overfly South Burlington neighborhoods and commercial districts.
• The Green Mountain National Forest lies approximately 30 miles east of South Burlington. While the national forest does not have restricted airspace per se, the FAA recommends maintaining safe altitude when operating near forested mountainous terrain. Drone operations in the national forest require a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service for commercial filming or research. The Adirondack Park in New York, visible across Lake Champlain to the west, also has drone restrictions in designated wilderness areas.
• The Lake Champlain shoreline bordering South Burlington to the west has moderate helicopter and small aircraft traffic including UVM Medical Center medevac flights, news helicopters, and scenic tour flights. The Burlington Coast Guard station and the Lake Champlain crossing corridor have moderate helicopter and small aircraft traffic. Drone operators flying near the Lake Champlain waterfront should maintain visual line of sight and comply with FAA Part 107.39.

Local Ordinances

South Burlington is governed by Vermont state drone regulations and FAA Part 107. The City of South Burlington 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 South Burlington Department of Parks and Recreation. South Burlington city parks including Dorset Street Park, Farrell Park, and Red Rocks Park require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The South Burlington City Center redevelopment district and the University Mall area have active construction zones with crane and heavy equipment operations that require heightened awareness. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires coordination with the Vermont Film Commission and South Burlington Police Department. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within the BTV Class C airspace boundary, which covers nearly all of South Burlington. The Vermont Air National Guard at BTV requires coordination for any drone operations near the base perimeter.