Commercial Drones: Arlington Heights vs Tinley Park
How do commercial drones rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Tinley Park, IL?
Arlington Heights and Tinley Park have similar restriction levels.
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
Commercial drone operations in Cook County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. O'Hare and Midway airspace restrictions significantly affect operations. State law (620 ILCS 5) adds Illinois-specific drone provisions.
View full Arlington Heights rules →Tinley Park, IL
Cook County
Commercial drone operators in Tinley Park must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain LAANC authorization when operating in Midway's Class B airspace. Filming on public property may require a Village filming permit.
View full Tinley Park rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Tinley Park |
|---|---|---|
| License | FAA Part 107 required | - |
| Airspace | LAANC/waiver for controlled | - |
| State Law | 620 ILCS 5 | - |
| FAA Fine | Up to $32,666 | - |
| FAA Certification | - | Part 107 required |
| LAANC | - | Required in Midway airspace |
| Village Permit | - | May apply for public filming |
| Insurance | - | Required for Village permits |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
Can I operate a drone commercially in Cook County?
Yes, with an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Most of Cook County requires LAANC authorization due to O'Hare and Midway airport airspace.
Do I need additional permits beyond FAA?
Forest Preserve operations need a district permit. Illinois law adds state requirements. Commercial drone businesses must comply with county zoning for their base of operations.
Tinley Park FAQ
Do I need a Tinley Park permit for commercial drone work?
Operations on private property generally require no Village permit if FAA-compliant. Public property, street closures, or organized filming typically require a Village film permit.
How do I get authorization near Midway?
Use the FAA's LAANC system through approved apps like Aloft or Airmap for near-instant controlled-airspace authorization.
Can I film the Halloween Parade from the air?
Flying over crowds requires an FAA Part 107 waiver. You also need Village event coordination and typically a filming permit.
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