Airport Proximity Rules: Chicago vs Tinley Park
How do airport proximity rules rules compare between Chicago, IL and Tinley Park, IL?
Chicago and Tinley Park have similar restriction levels.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago sits inside Class B controlled airspace centered on O'Hare and Midway. Federal FAA rules preempt local drone regulation, but recreational and commercial pilots must obtain LAANC authorization, comply with Part 107, and avoid CDA-managed airport property.
View full Chicago rules →Tinley Park, IL
Cook County
Drone flight in controlled airspace surrounding Chicago O'Hare (KORD) and Midway (KMDW) requires FAA Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) clearance through the B4UFLY or DroneZone app. Cook County and municipalities cannot authorize flights the FAA prohibits.
View full Tinley Park rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Tinley Park |
|---|---|---|
| Federal rule | FAA Part 107 | - |
| Authorization | LAANC required | - |
| Airspace | Class B at ORD and MDW | - |
| Runway zones | Zero-foot ceilings | - |
| Penalty | Up to $32,666 per FAA case | - |
| O'Hare airspace | - | Class B Mode C veil |
| Midway airspace | - | Class C surface area |
| Authorization tool | - | LAANC via B4UFLY app |
| Recreational test | - | TRUST certificate required |
| Civil penalty | - | Up to $32,000 per violation |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
Can the city ban drones near O'Hare?
Federal law preempts local airspace regulation, but the City and CDA can prohibit takeoff and landing from Chicago property. CPD can also enforce local trespass and reckless conduct charges supporting FAA cases.
Do hobby pilots need LAANC?
Yes. Since 2021, recreational pilots flying in controlled airspace must obtain LAANC authorization through approved apps, just as Part 107 commercial pilots do. The TRUST test is also required for recreational flight.
Tinley Park FAQ
Can I fly a drone in my Cook County backyard near O'Hare?
Only with LAANC authorization through the B4UFLY or DroneZone app. The UAS Facility Map shows the maximum altitude allowed for your grid square. Many areas near O'Hare have a 0-foot ceiling, effectively prohibiting flight without a special waiver.
Does Cook County have its own drone airspace rules?
No. Airspace regulation is exclusively federal under 49 USC 40103. Cook County and municipalities can regulate where drones take off, land, and operate from local property but cannot lawfully restrict altitudes or aerial pathways once the drone is airborne.
What is LAANC?
Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability is the FAA system providing near-real-time airspace authorizations for drone flights in controlled airspace. Authorizations come through approved third-party apps and last for the time and altitude requested by the pilot.
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