FAA controls airspace around George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), William P. Hobby (HOU), and Ellington Field. Recreational and Part 107 drone flights inside their controlled airspace require LAANC authorization or DroneZone approval, which Harris County cannot waive even on private property.
All Harris County airspace is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Class B veil around IAH extends roughly 30 nautical miles, Hobby's Class B sits underneath the IAH veil, and Ellington Field has Class D airspace. Any drone flight inside these surfaces, even at a few feet above ground, requires prior FAA authorization through the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system or the FAA DroneZone portal. Recreational pilots must also pass the TRUST test and hold their certificate. Harris County Sheriff and constables can enforce reckless operation and trespass under Texas Government Code Chapter 423, but cannot issue local airspace waivers.
Unauthorized flights inside controlled airspace can trigger FAA civil penalties up to $75,000 per violation, suspension of remote pilot certificates, and federal criminal charges under 49 U.S.C. 46307 for interference with air traffic.
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