Drone flights near Phoenix Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway airports require FAA Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) approval. Maricopa County defers to federal airspace rules under 14 CFR Part 107 with no separate county permit.
Federal airspace rules govern all drone flights in Maricopa County. Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway (IWA) sit in Class B and Class D controlled airspace. Recreational and Part 107 commercial pilots must request LAANC authorization through approved apps like AirMap or Aloft before operating below 400 feet. Sky Harbor's surrounding zero-altitude grids cover much of central Phoenix and Tempe. Deer Valley, Falcon Field, Scottsdale, and Goodyear airports also have controlled airspace requiring LAANC. Pilots must register drones over 0.55 lbs with the FAA. Maricopa County Sheriff and city police enforce trespass and reckless-endangerment charges under ARS 13-1502 when drones interfere with manned aircraft.
FAA civil penalties reach $32,666 per violation for unauthorized controlled-airspace flights. Interfering with aircraft is a federal felony under 18 USC 32 with up to 20 years prison. Arizona reckless endangerment under ARS 13-1201 adds Class 6 felony exposure.
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