Aerial Imagery in The Woodlands, TX

Airports & LAANC Zones

• IAH — George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Class B, 12 miles south — LAANC required for most of The Woodlands)
• CXO — Lone Star Executive Airport (general aviation, 8 miles north in Conroe, uncontrolled Class E)
• DWH — David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (Class D, 12 miles west in Tomball — LAANC required for western areas)

Restricted Airspace

• Class B airspace around George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) — the northern shelf of IAH Class B extends directly over The Woodlands, approximately 10-12 miles from the airport. LAANC authorization is required for nearly all commercial drone flights in The Woodlands. This is one of the most airspace-constrained communities in the Houston metro for drone operations.
• Class D airspace around David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) — located 12 miles west in Tomball. The eastern edge of DWH Class D may extend into western The Woodlands. Drone flights within 4 nautical miles require LAANC authorization. Verify exact boundaries on FAA UAS Facility Maps.
• Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO) — located 8 miles north in Conroe, uncontrolled Class E. No LAANC required for flights near CXO, but the airport has active general aviation traffic including corporate jets serving The Woodlands business community. Monitor CTAF and maintain visual separation.
• ExxonMobil Houston campus (Spring, 3 miles south) — 385-acre critical infrastructure campus with 10,000+ employees. Under TX Government Code Chapter 423, drone flights over the ExxonMobil campus without authorization are a state misdemeanor. The campus has active security and airspace monitoring. This is one of the most sensitive critical infrastructure sites in the Houston metro.
• The Woodlands Town Center and Waterway — dense mixed-use district with high-rise offices, retail, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. While not formal restricted airspace, the density of pedestrians and outdoor events means drone pilots should coordinate with The Woodlands Township for any data collection work in the Town Center area. Concert TFRs may apply during major events at the pavilion.
• Corporate campus security: The Woodlands hosts major corporate campuses including Chevron Phillips Chemical, Huntsman Corporation, Anadarko Petroleum (now Occidental), and McKesson. These facilities have active security monitoring and may be designated critical infrastructure. Always coordinate with corporate security before flying near campus facilities.

Local Ordinances

The Woodlands is governed by The Woodlands Township, a special-purpose district rather than a traditional city. The Township does not issue a separate drone permit for commercial operators. FAA Part 107 certification and LAANC authorization for IAH Class B airspace are the primary requirements, and LAANC is required for nearly all commercial flights in The Woodlands due to the IAH Class B shelf. Commercial filming on Township property requires a permit through The Woodlands Parks and Recreation Department. The Township prohibits drone takeoff and landing in Township parks without a special use permit, including Town Green, Northshore Park, and Rob Fleming Park. Flights from private property (with owner permission) do not require a Township permit but must comply with all FAA Part 107 rules and Texas Government Code Chapter 423 critical infrastructure restrictions. The ExxonMobil campus 3 miles south is critical infrastructure where unauthorized flights are a state misdemeanor.