Aerial Imaging Services in Bangor, ME

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in Maine require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

Maine regulates drone operations primarily through LD 812 (Public Law Chapter 463, enacted 2015), which prohibits law enforcement agencies from using unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance without a warrant, with exceptions for emergency situations, search and rescue, and national security. 17 M.R.S. § 6554 prohibits the use of drones to conduct surveillance of a private property or person without consent, and 12 M.R.S. § 11266 prohibits using drones to harass or disturb wildlife, including hunting and fishing interference. Maine does not require a separate state-level commercial drone license or registration — all commercial operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with the FAA. The state follows FAA Part 107 preemption on airspace regulation, meaning municipalities cannot enact their own airspace rules but may regulate takeoff and landing on public property. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all state parks without a special use permit. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife restricts drone operations in wildlife management areas, particularly during nesting and breeding seasons. Acadia National Park (federal) prohibits drone takeoff and landing without a research or commercial filming permit from the National Park Service. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL and LAANC authorization is available for Class B, C, and D airspace across Maine, including Portland International Jetport (PWM) Class D and Bangor International Airport (BGR) Class D. Commercial operators near Brunswick Executive Airport (BXM, former NAS Brunswick) should coordinate with airport operations for military and GA traffic patterns.

Local Ordinances

Bangor is governed by Maine state drone law (LD 812 / Public Law Chapter 463, 17 M.R.S. Section 6554 surveillance harassment, 12 M.R.S. Section 11266 wildlife harassment) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Bangor requires a permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city property, issued through the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department. Bangor city parks including Bangor City Forest, Cascade Park, and the Bangor Waterfront require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The Bangor Waterfront concert venue and event space is managed by the Cross Insurance Center and requires authorization for commercial drone filming. Maine state parks require a special use permit from the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires a film permit from the Maine Film Office. The Penobscot Indian Nation requires coordination for drone operations over tribal reservation lands. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within BGR Class D airspace boundaries. Acadia National Park (50 NM southeast) requires an NPS special use permit for any commercial drone operations within park boundaries. Maine winter operations (November through March) require cold-weather battery management — LiPo batteries lose significant capacity at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Restricted Airspace

• Bangor International Airport (KBGR) has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area covering the western portion of the city and the Penobscot River corridor. The airport is a joint civil-military facility hosting the 101st Air Refueling Wing of the Maine Air National Guard, which operates KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft. The KC-135s conduct heavy jet operations including low-altitude refueling training over northern and eastern Maine, creating significant jet traffic patterns. Commercial drone operations within the BGR Class D require LAANC authorization. BGR also serves as a transatlantic emergency diversion airport for flights crossing the North Atlantic, meaning wide-body jets can appear unexpectedly. The airport has a 11,439-foot main runway, one of the longest in New England.
• The 101st Air Refueling Wing at BGR operates KC-135 Stratotankers on active air refueling tracks over northern and eastern Maine. The refueling tracks extend across Penobscot County and into the vast uninhabited areas of northern Maine. While the tracks are at higher altitudes, the KC-135s conduct approach and departure operations from BGR that create low-altitude jet traffic along the Penobscot River valley. Drone operators should check NOTAMs for military flight activity, particularly during training deployments and when the wing hosts visiting aircraft from other bases. The Maine Air National Guard also supports homeland defense missions under Operation Noble Eagle.
• The Penobscot River corridor through Bangor has moderate commercial and recreational traffic including barge traffic, recreational boats, and occasional helicopter traffic. The Joshua Chamberlain Bridge and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge (approximately 20 NM south on Route 15) have infrastructure security considerations. Drone operators flying near the Penobscot River waterfront, the Bangor Waterfront concert venue, and the Maine Discovery Museum should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude helicopter traffic from news, medevac, and Maine State Police aviation units. The Eastern Maine Medical Center has active medevac helicopter operations from its rooftop helipad.
• Acadia National Park is located approximately 50 NM southeast of Bangor on Mount Desert Island. The National Park Service prohibits drone takeoff and landing within the park boundary without a research or commercial filming permit (36 CFR 1.5). While Acadia is outside the immediate Bangor area, it is a common destination for commercial drone operators based in Bangor. The park includes Cadillac Mountain (the first place to see sunrise in the US from October through March), Thunder Hole, and the Bass Harbor Head Light — all popular aerial photography subjects that require NPS permits for commercial operations. The park has no designated drone flying areas.
• Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all state parks without a special use permit. Relevant state parks near Bangor include Bangor City Forest (multi-use trail system), Peaks-Kenny State Park (approximately 35 NM north on Sebec Lake), and Lily Bay State Park (approximately 60 NM north on Moosehead Lake). The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife restricts drone operations in wildlife management areas, particularly during nesting and breeding seasons (April through August). The Penobscot Indian Nation reservation lands along the Penobscot River have tribal sovereignty considerations — commercial drone operators should coordinate with the Penobscot Nation Department of Natural Resources for operations near tribal lands.