Commercial drone operators in Bernalillo County need an FAA Part 107 certificate plus LAANC authorization for flights in Sunport and Kirtland AFB Class C airspace covering most of the Albuquerque metro. Waivers required for night, over-people, or BVLOS operations.
Commercial drone operations in Bernalillo County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR §107), renewed every 24 months with online recurrent training. Most of the Albuquerque metro sits within Class C airspace shared by Albuquerque International Sunport and Kirtland Air Force Base, so commercial flights need LAANC prior authorization through an FAA-approved provider. Remote ID broadcast is mandatory. Waivers required for operations at night, over moving vehicles, over non-participating people (unless Category 1-4 compliant), or beyond visual line of sight. Commercial filming over City of Albuquerque property may require a film permit from the Albuquerque Film Office. New Mexico imposes no additional commercial drone registration but operators must carry commercial general liability insurance; real estate photography and inspection are common uses. Flights over Kirtland AFB itself are prohibited even with Part 107.
Operating commercially without Part 107: FAA fines up to $32,666 per occurrence. Unauthorized Class C entry: federal criminal penalties and potential air defense response near Kirtland. City film permit violation: $100 to $1,000.
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