Jackson County, MS Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)

Commercial drone pilots in Jackson County must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107 requiring passage of the Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center with 24-month recurrent training. Operations above 400 ft AGL, beyond visual line of sight, at night over people, or in controlled airspace require separate waivers via FAA DroneZone. Trent Lott International Airport (PQL) Class E airspace requires LAANC authorization, typically instant for altitudes under the published grid ceiling. Keesler AFB Class D in western Gulfport affects commercial operations west of I-10. Huntington Ingalls Industries Pascagoula shipyard requires separate security clearance from Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) for any commercial filming, and Mississippi Code §61-15-1 criminalizes unauthorized surveillance of the shipyard as a felony. Roofing inspections surge after Gulf Coast hurricanes like Zeta (2020) and Ida (2021), with many operators earning FEMA and state insurance adjuster subcontracts. MDOT bridge inspections on I-10 Pascagoula Bridge and US-90 Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bay Bridge use Part 107 pilots under state contract. Real estate photography for Ocean Springs and Gautier waterfront properties is the most common commercial use. Filming permits in Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Moss Point, and Gautier parks require separate city approval.