Lansing, MI Drone Videographer and Operator

Lansing drone videography

We fly Spartans game days, arena concerts, riverfront festivals, Capitol and government projects, corporate sites, construction progress and real estate across Lansing, East Lansing and Mid-Michigan. For concerts and stadium events we film recaps, and for larger shows we send live drone feeds to the stream or screens; see live broadcast drones and concert and festival drones.

Capital Region International airspace

Capital Region International northwest of downtown has Class C airspace from the surface to 4,900 feet within 5 miles during its published hours, so much of the Lansing area needs LAANC or FAA authorization. We check every Lansing location on the FAA sectional, B4UFLY and NOTAMs before quoting, and file LAANC or FAA authorization for any address that needs it.

Spartan Stadium and MSU

Spartan Stadium is on the FAA stadium list, so the 3 nautical mile flight restriction applies from an hour before to an hour after covered events. Michigan State requires an approved operations plan and a written permit for drone flights on its campus, so we file ahead of any East Lansing shoot. Inside the Breslin Center we fly small drones with the venue's approval. Fully enclosed indoor flights are generally outside FAA airspace rules, so we fly one-take fly-throughs with the owner's approval; see indoor fly-through tours.

Michigan drone law and state parks

Michigan's Unmanned Aircraft System Act generally prevents cities and counties from passing their own drone ordinances, and state law makes it a felony to knowingly use a drone to interfere with a prison or other key facility. Michigan DNR rules allow drones in state parks and recreation areas, but not over campgrounds, occupied beaches or equestrian facilities, or within 100 yards of historic sites, and commercial flights need the department's written permission first. We keep neighbors and people on private property out of frame unless they agree to be filmed.

Credits

drones inside Climate Pledge Arena for Paramore, live drone feeds to the Davis Wade Stadium video boards for Mississippi State football and EDC Las Vegas live on Hulu.

Related

Detroit, MI drone videographer | Grand Rapids, MI drone videographer | Chicago drone videography | Indianapolis, IN drone videographer | Fort Wayne, IN drone videographer | Augusta drone videography (headquarters) | Lynchburg, VA drone videography (second location) | Live broadcast drones | Concert and festival drones | All locations

Nearby cities we fly

Ann Arbor, MI drone videographer | Cleveland, OH drone videographer | Milwaukee, WI drone videographer | Dayton, OH drone videographer

FAQs

Do you need FAA approval to fly in Lansing?

It depends on the address. Capital Region International has Class C airspace northwest of downtown during its published hours. We check every location on the FAA sectional and B4UFLY before quoting and file LAANC where it is needed.

Can you fly near Spartan Stadium on game days?

Not inside the FAA stadium flight restriction, which covers 3 nautical miles from an hour before to an hour after covered events. We schedule nearby shoots outside that window.

Can you fly on the Michigan State campus?

Only with an approved operations plan and a written university permit, which we request before any campus shoot.

Can Lansing or East Lansing ban drones by ordinance?

Generally no. Michigan law bars most local drone ordinances, though cities can still set rules for their own drone use.

What insurance do you carry?

Our standard policy is $10M liability, with optional coverage up to $25M when a venue, league or network requires it. Certificates naming your venue or production are issued before the shoot.

Request a Quote

Tell us the date, location and what you need filmed. Request a Quote or call 706-284-8364.