Commercial drone operations in New Castle County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operations near Wilmington Airport, New Castle County Airport, and Summit Airport require LAANC. Commercial filming on county property needs a special use permit and liability insurance. Delaware State Parks and DNREC lands prohibit commercial drone use without specific permits.
Commercial drone operations in New Castle County are regulated under 14 CFR Part 107 (FAA). Operators must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate, renewed every 24 months through recurrent training. Commercial use includes real estate photography (heavy demand in Greenville, Hockessin, and Chateau Country), inspections of the DuPont/Chemours corporate campuses and I-95 infrastructure, surveying, agriculture in southern NCC, and delivery trials. Operations in controlled airspace around Wilmington Airport (ILG, Class D), New Castle County Airport (KILG - the same facility), and Summit Airport (KEVY Class G with traffic pattern) require LAANC authorization or manual waiver. Night operations, flights over people, and operations from moving vehicles require specific FAA waivers under Part 107.39, 107.41, and 107.49. The county itself requires a special use permit for commercial drone filming on NCC parks and county-owned property, typically coordinated through NCC Parks and Recreation or Department of Land Use. Delaware State Parks require a commercial filming permit from Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation (typically $250+ per project) even with a Part 107. DNREC lands including Augustine Wildlife Area and wetland preserves require separate authorization. Commercial operators should carry aviation liability insurance, typically $1M minimum for most clients. The Riverfront Wilmington district and the Port of Wilmington impose additional security-zone restrictions under USCG and DHS rules.
Operating without Part 107 for compensation: FAA fines up to $32,666. LAANC or airspace violation: federal criminal penalties possible. County park commercial use without permit: $100 to $1,000 plus equipment seizure. State park commercial without permit: $250 to $1,500. Port or security zone violation: DHS/USCG sanctions.
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