Airport Operations
Flying a drone near an airport is one of the most operationally demanding assignments a commercial UAS pilot faces. It requires more than a license — it requires a working understanding of how airports function, how air traffic control manages the airspace around them, and how to plan and execute a flight that keeps everyone safe and stays within the law.
Northeast Ohio sits within the influence of several active airports, ranging from major commercial hubs to smaller general aviation fields. Ed Rich is trained, tested, experienced, and authorized to operate near all of them.
Northeast Ohio Airports Ed Operates Near
Class B airspace. The most complex airspace in the region. Requires LAANC authorization and ATC coordination. Commercial traffic operating continuously.
Class C airspace. Serves commercial and cargo traffic. Two-way ATC communication and prior authorization required before any drone operation.
Class D airspace on Cleveland's lakefront. Active general aviation and corporate traffic. Tower coordination required prior to operations.
Class D airspace in Richmond Heights. Active general aviation field serving the eastern suburbs. Requires tower contact before drone operations begin.
Class D airspace in Akron. General aviation and flight training operations. Tower coordination and LAANC authorization required.
Class D airspace serving the southern edge of the service area. Military and civilian operations. Authorization required before drone flight in the vicinity.
What Pre-Flight Planning Looks Like Near an Airport
Operating near an airport doesn't start at the job site — it starts well before takeoff. A licensed Part 107 pilot works through a pre-flight checklist that recreational fliers don't know exists:
- Airspace classification check Identify the exact airspace class at the planned flight location and altitude. Class B, C, D, and E all have different requirements and authorization processes.
- LAANC authorization Request and receive FAA authorization through the LAANC system before takeoff. Authorization specifies the approved altitude ceiling and any operational restrictions. Ed Rich obtains this on every flight that requires it — no exceptions.
- NOTAM review Check Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) for temporary flight restrictions, runway closures, airshows, VIP movements, or any other activity that could affect the planned operation. A NOTAM can ground a flight that looked perfectly legal the day before.
- Traffic pattern awareness Understand the active runway configuration and traffic pattern directions at nearby airports. Knowing where arriving and departing aircraft will be — and staying clear of those paths — is a core Part 107 competency.
- Visual line of sight planning Map the flight area to confirm unobstructed visual contact with the drone throughout the operation. Near airports, tall structures, terrain, and other obstacles require careful positioning of the pilot and any visual observers.
- ATC communication plan For operations in Class B, C, or D airspace, establish communication with the appropriate ATC facility before the flight begins. Know the frequencies, understand the instructions, and be prepared to respond immediately if ATC issues a directive.
What Happens When an Unlicensed Pilot Flies Near an Airport
An unlicensed operator near an airport has no authorization, no NOTAM awareness, no understanding of traffic patterns, and no communication with ATC. They are an unknown object in active airspace — a safety risk to manned aircraft and a federal violation in progress.
The FAA, TSA, and local law enforcement all have authority to act on unauthorized drone operations near airports. Penalties are severe, and the consequences for any business that hired the unlicensed pilot can be significant.