Aerial Imaging Services in Rapid City, SD

FAA Part 107 Requirements

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

State Drone Laws

South Dakota does not have comprehensive state-level drone legislation for commercial operations. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and comply with all federal regulations. South Dakota Codified Law § 50-6-14 (enacted 2014) prohibits law enforcement agencies from using drones to gather evidence or conduct surveillance without a search warrant, with exceptions for emergency situations, border patrol, and national security. This law applies to government drone use, not commercial operations, but sets a privacy framework that commercial operators should respect. The South Dakota Department of Transportation and the South Dakota Aeronautics Commission defer to FAA authority for commercial drone airspace regulation. There is no state drone registration requirement beyond the FAA Part 107 registration. Local municipalities may regulate takeoff and landing on public property. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department prohibits drone operations in state parks without a special use permit. Commercial operators should check for local city and county ordinances regarding public property restrictions, especially near parks, schools, and government facilities.

Local Ordinances

Rapid City is governed by South Dakota state law (SDCL § 50-6-14) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Rapid City does not have a standalone municipal drone ordinance, but commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned property requires authorization from the Rapid City Parks and Recreation Department. City parks including Sioux Park, Founders Park, and the Rapid Creek Greenway trail system require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. South Dakota state parks (including Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park) require a special use permit from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, and NPS properties prohibit drones entirely. The City of Rapid City permits commercial drone operations from private property with owner permission per FAA Part 107. The downtown Main Street area and the Rapid Creek corridor have pedestrian density considerations. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within the RAP Class C airspace. Drone operations near Ellsworth Air Force Base require coordination with base operations.

Restricted Airspace

• Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA) is a major restricted airspace area located approximately 10 miles northeast of Rapid City near Box Elder. Ellsworth is home to the 28th Bomb Wing operating the B-1B Lancer and is the first operational base for the new B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The base has extensive military operating areas and restricted airspace, with the B-21 Raider and B-1B operations creating significant military aviation traffic. Commercial drone operations within restricted airspace near Ellsworth require prior coordination with base operations. The Air Force is investing $1.5 billion in 35 construction projects to accommodate the B-21 Raider force, driving massive construction and development in the Box Elder and Rapid City northeast corridor. Drone operators must check FAA Sectional Charts and B4UFLY for restricted zones and coordinate with Ellsworth base operations for any flights in the vicinity.
• Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) has Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius surface area. RAP is located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Rapid City, so the Class C surface area covers the southeastern portion of the metro including the airport area. LAANC authorization is required for commercial drone operations within the RAP Class C lateral boundaries. RAP is the second busiest airport in South Dakota and serves as the gateway to the Black Hills tourism region.
• The Black Hills region surrounding Rapid City contains several national and state parks and forests with restricted drone operations. Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument — all within a 60-mile radius of Rapid City — prohibit all drone operations per National Park Service 36 CFR 1.4. Custer State Park and other South Dakota state parks require a special use permit from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department. The Black Hills National Forest has additional restrictions on drone operations in developed recreation areas and wilderness zones.
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial, approximately 25 miles southwest of Rapid City near Keystone, is a National Park Service site where all drone operations are prohibited per 36 CFR 1.4. The Mount Rushmore area also sees significant TFR activity during presidential visits and major commemorative events. Drone operators should be aware of the permanent NPS drone prohibition at Mount Rushmore and the surrounding memorial grounds, as well as the seasonal TFRs during the busy tourism season.
• The Rapid City metro has moderate helicopter traffic including medical air ambulance (Monument Health Rapid City Hospital operates HEMS flights), the South Dakota Army National Guard, and Black Hills tourism-related helicopter operations. The Rapid Creek corridor through the city center and the downtown area along Main Street attract dense pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The Rapid City area also has active wildfire response operations in the Black Hills during summer, which can create TFR zones.