Aerial Imaging Services in Wilmington, DE

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in Delaware require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

Delaware regulates drone operations through the Delaware Drone Privacy Protection Act (HB 340, 2016) and UAS framework regulations under Delaware Code Title 21 § 4601 et seq, while deferring airspace regulation to the FAA under 49 USC § 40103. HB 340 prohibits using a drone to conduct surveillance of a private dwelling or person without consent, classifying violations as a Class A misdemeanor with up to 1 year imprisonment and/or a $2,300 fine. SB 162 (2019) established law enforcement UAS use guidelines, requiring warrants for drone surveillance and creating a state UAS registry for public agency drone operations. Delaware is relatively permissive for commercial Part 107 operators — the state does not require separate state drone registration for commercial flights and does not broadly preempt local zoning or park restrictions. The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has adopted an internal UAS policy for infrastructure inspection and permits coordination. Delaware State Parks require a special use permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing in all state parks including Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, Lums Pond, Brandywine Creek, and Trap Pond. The Delaware National Guard operates drone training at the Bethany Beach Training Site near the coast, which has intermittent TFR airspace restrictions. Delaware has no Class B airspace — the state is under the Class C shelf of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in northern New Castle County and under Class E surface areas and Class D airspace near Dover Air Force Base (DOV) in central Kent County. Dover AFB has active military airspace with LAANC coordination required for nearby commercial flights. The FAA requires Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification for all commercial drone operations. LAANC authorization is available at PHL (Class C), DOV (Class D), and surrounding Class E surface areas. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) prohibits drone takeoff and landing in state-protected natural areas and wildlife refuges without authorization, including Prime Hook and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuges.

Local Ordinances

Wilmington is governed by Delaware state drone law (Delaware Code Title 21 Section 4601 et seq, HB 340 Delaware Drone Privacy Protection Act, SB 162 UAS registration) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Wilmington requires a permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city property, issued through the Wilmington Department of Parks and Recreation. Wilmington city parks including Brandywine Park, Rockford Park, and Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The Christina Riverfront and Riverfront East development area is managed by the Riverfront Development Corporation and requires authorization for commercial drone filming. New Castle County parks require a commercial use permit. Delaware State Parks (including Fox Point State Park and Brandywine Creek State Park) require a permit from the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires a film permit from the Delaware Film Office. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within ILG Class D or PHL Class B airspace boundaries. The Port of Wilmington has maritime security restrictions under MTSA regulations. The Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295) is under the jurisdiction of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, which restricts drone operations near the bridge structure.

Restricted Airspace

• Wilmington Airport (ILG) has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area, located approximately 5 NM south of downtown Wilmington. The airport hosts the Delaware Army National Guard and Delaware Air National Guard, which operate helicopter and C-130 aircraft respectively. Commercial drone operations within the ILG Class D require LAANC authorization. The airport also serves Avelo Airlines commercial passenger flights, creating mixed military, commercial, and GA traffic. The Delaware National Guard helicopter operations from ILG create low-altitude traffic patterns along the Christina River corridor.
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) Class B airspace extends over northern Delaware, including portions of New Castle County north of Wilmington. The PHL Class B surface area begins approximately 20 NM northeast of downtown Wilmington, but the outer shelves extend over the Wilmington area at higher altitudes. Commercial drone operations in northern New Castle County should check PHL Class B boundaries, as the outer area can affect flights above 200 feet AGL in the northern parts of the Wilmington metro. PHL is a major international hub with heavy airline and cargo traffic — US Airways/American Airlines hub operations create continuous jet traffic.
• New Castle Airport (N99/ILG complex) has Class D airspace with Delaware Air National Guard C-130 Hercules operations. The 166th Airlift Wing conducts heavy airlift training in the Delaware Valley region, and drone operators in the New Castle area should check N99 Class D boundaries and NOTAMs for military flight activity. The C-130s conduct low-level training routes over Delaware Bay and the Delaware River corridor. The proximity of both ILG and N99 controlled airspace areas means much of the Wilmington-to-New Castle corridor requires LAANC authorization.
• Dover Air Force Base (DOV) is located approximately 45 NM south of Wilmington and has Class C airspace with active C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III heavy airlift operations. While DOV is outside the immediate Wilmington area, the military training routes and refueling tracks extend over portions of central Delaware. The 436th and 512th Airlift Wings conduct operations that create low-altitude heavy aircraft traffic over Delaware. Drone operators in southern New Castle County should check DOV Class C boundaries. The Dover AFB Air Mobility Command Museum and the adjacent mortuary affairs facility have security restrictions on aerial photography.
• The Port of Wilmington on the Christina River has maritime security zone restrictions. The port handles cargo ships, automobile imports, and bulk freight, creating commercial vessel traffic on the Christina and Delaware River. The Delaware River itself is a major shipping channel with deep-draft vessel traffic, tug and barge operations, and pilot boat traffic. Drone operators flying near the riverfront, the Delaware Memorial Bridge, and the Port of Wilmington should maintain awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic from news, medevac, and Coast Guard aviation units. The I-495 and I-95 bridges over the Christina River have infrastructure security considerations.