Commercial drone operators in Albany County need FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Albany International (ALB) controlled airspace requires LAANC. NYS Penal Law §240.25 may apply to harassment. State Capitol area operations need OGS/NYSP coordination.
Commercial drone operations in Albany County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107, with 24-month recurrent knowledge testing. Operations within 5 miles of Albany International Airport (ALB), Schenectady County Airport, and South Albany Airport require LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) authorization. Common commercial uses in Albany County include Hudson River bridge inspections (I-787/Dunn Memorial, Livingston Avenue Bridge), NYSDOT infrastructure surveys, real estate photography in Bethlehem/Loudonville/Delmar, SUNY Albany research, and agricultural monitoring in Rensselaerville and Westerlo. Operations over the NYS Capitol, Empire State Plaza, Governor's Mansion, or any state facility require coordination with NYS Office of General Services and NY State Police. Night operations (post-2021 rule), flights over people, and BVLOS require FAA waivers. NY Civil Rights Law §52-a addresses unlawful surveillance; Penal Law §240.25 covers harassment. Some Albany County municipalities require additional business permits for commercial filming.
Operating commercially without Part 107: FAA fines up to $32,666. Unauthorized airspace entry at ALB: federal criminal penalties, aircraft seizure. Local filming permit violations: $250 to $1,500. NY harassment/surveillance charges possible under state law.
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