Can I fly a drone in Fort Worth, TX?
Short answer · With authorization
Yes, with authorization. Central Fort Worth, TX is in controlled airspace around Fort Worth Meacham Intl, so you need FAA approval before flying; LAANC can approve flights up to 400 ft here, usually in seconds. Check for temporary flight restrictions before every flight.
- Airspace at ground level
- Class D
- LAANC ceiling here
- 400 ft above ground
- Nearest airport or heliport
- Cook Children's Medical Center (XA36), 1.2 NM SSW
For the center of Fort Worth, from FAA data as of Oct 5, 10:04 PM CDT. Airspace changes block by block; check your exact address below, and check for temporary flight restrictions before every flight.
Check an exact address in Fort Worth
Common questions
›Can I fly a drone in Fort Worth, TX?
Yes, with authorization. Central Fort Worth, TX is in controlled airspace around Fort Worth Meacham Intl, so you need FAA approval before flying; LAANC can approve flights up to 400 ft here, usually in seconds. Check for temporary flight restrictions before every flight.
›Do I need LAANC authorization to fly a drone in Fort Worth?
In central Fort Worth, yes: it is inside an FAA UAS Facility Map grid with a 400 ft ceiling, so you need LAANC or DroneZone authorization. Other parts of the city may differ; check the exact address above.
›Are there airports or heliports near Fort Worth?
Within 5 NM of the city center: Cook Children's Medical Center (heliport, 1.2 NM SSW); Harris Hospital (heliport, 1.3 NM SSW); Plaza Medical Center (heliport, 1.4 NM SSW); Plaza Medical Center (heliport, 1.4 NM SSW); John Peter Smith Health Network (heliport, 1.7 NM S).
›Do I need a license to fly a drone in Texas?
For fun, you need the free FAA TRUST certificate and to register drones over 250 g. For any business use, you need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Local parks may add their own rules.
Can I fly a drone in…
- Rockwall, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Plano, TX
- Frisco, TX
- McKinney, TX
- Garland, TX
- Rowlett, TX
- Royse City, TX
- Heath, TX
- Arlington, TX
- Denton, TX
- Austin, TX
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Miami, FL
- Orlando, FL
- Denver, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
- Seattle, WA
- Nashville, TN
- Washington, DC
- Grand Canyon Village, AZ
How the check works
We look up the airspace over your point at ground level. Class G is uncontrolled and needs no authorization below 400 ft. Class B, C, D and Class E surface areas around airports are controlled, and flying there needs FAA authorization, usually through LAANC (14 CFR 107.41). Temporary flight restrictions, prohibited and restricted areas, and National Park Service land each change the answer. Weather comes from the nearest airport report and the National Weather Service forecast for the exact point, compared with the Part 107 minimums and your drone's wind limit.
Recreational flyers follow the same airspace rules and also need the free TRUST certificate. Flying for any business needs a Part 107 certificate. Free Part 107 study guide.
Data sources
- Airspace & special use airspace: FAA ADDS
- LAANC ceilings: FAA UAS Facility Maps
- Temporary flight restrictions: FAA TFR feed and NOTAM records
- Airports & heliports: FAA NASR
- METAR & TAF: NOAA Aviation Weather Center
- Hourly forecast: National Weather Service
- Park boundaries: National Park Service
- Elevation: USGS 3DEP
- Kp index: NOAA SWPC
- Charts: FAA VFR Sectional & Terminal
All public sources, read live. Not affiliated with the FAA and not an approved LAANC provider.