Commercial drone operations in Madison require FAA Part 107 certification and LAANC authorization for Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) Class C airspace. Additional permits required for takeoff from City parks or public property.
Commercial, non-recreational, or public agency drone operations in Madison must comply with FAA Part 107. Remote pilots must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, register each aircraft with the FAA, broadcast Remote ID, and obtain airspace authorization via LAANC before operating in the Class C airspace surrounding Dane County Regional Airport (MSN). Part 107 requires operations below 400 feet AGL (unless operating within 400 feet of a structure), visual line of sight, daylight or civil twilight (with anti-collision light), and avoidance of non-participants without a waiver. Operations over people require Category 1-4 compliance. Night operations require anti-collision lighting. Madison Parks Division requires permits for commercial filming or drone operations that take off from or land in City parks. Private property operations require the property owner's permission. Wisconsin Statute 175.55 limits law enforcement drone use, and WI Stat. 114.045 prohibits drone operation over correctional facilities.
FAA Part 107 violations carry civil penalties and potential certificate suspension. Unpermitted commercial operations on City property result in MGO citations.
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