Commercial drone operators in Jefferson County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. LAANC authorization needed for Birmingham-Shuttlesworth (BHM) Class C airspace. Birmingham business license required for drone-based services. Mercedes-Benz, USPS sorting facility, and hospital helipads add airspace complexity.
Commercial drone operations in Jefferson County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, obtained by passing the Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center. Recurrent training required every 24 months. Common commercial uses in Birmingham include real estate photography (particularly for Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills luxury listings), construction progress documentation at UAB medical center expansions, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant inspections in Vance, industrial inspection at Sloss Industries and ABC Coke facilities, and wedding/event videography. LAANC authorization required for Birmingham-Shuttlesworth (BHM) Class C airspace, Bessemer (EKY), Shelby County (EET), and St. Clair County (PYP) airports. Additional caution required near the UAB Hospital, Princeton Baptist Medical Center, St. Vincent's, and Children's of Alabama helipads. A Birmingham business license is required under Code Chapter 11 for commercial drone service providers operating within city limits. Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and other suburbs have similar business license requirements. Part 107 waivers required for flights over people, beyond visual line of sight, at night (without anti-collision lighting), or over moving vehicles. Alabama Film Office permits may be required for commercial filming of public buildings.
Operating commercially without Part 107: FAA fines up to $32,666. Unauthorized airspace entry: federal criminal charges. Missing business license: $100 to $1,000 Birmingham citation. Helipad interference: potential FAA enforcement and local criminal charges.
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