The 5 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Birmingham (2024)
A list of the best places to fly your drone in Birmingham, Alabama.
In this article, we’ve scouted out the best places to fly a drone in Birmingham, Alabama.
If you live in (or are traveling to) Birmingham, please use this page as a resource to better understand not just where to fly, but also where it’s legal and illegal to fly a drone. We provide guidance on regulations to help you stay compliant with both federal and local rules.
A Sectional Chart of the airspace surrounding Birmingham, AL. Source: VFR Map
Birmingham Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial
The first thing to understand about flying a drone in Birmingham (or any city for that matter) is that under federal FAA regulations, you are either operating recreationally or commercially.
- Recreational drone pilots fall under the FAA’s recreational flyer rules, which are laid out here. Make sure your aircraft is registered and you complete The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), which are both required by the FAA.
- Commercial drone pilots fall under the FAA’s Part 107 regulations, which require passing a multiple-choice test and becoming an FAA-certified drone pilot. More information on the drone certification process over here.
Drone operators are no longer required to independently contact air traffic control when flying within five miles of an airport. Instead, both recreational and commercial flyers can use the automated LAANC system to request airspace authorization to fly in controlled airspace around and above many airports. If you’re operating in Class B, C, D, or E controlled airspace, you’ll need to request airspace authorization. You may do this through LAANC or through FAADroneZone in areas where LAANC is not available.
When we list locations below, we’ll share whether they sit in controlled or uncontrolled airspace.
Get up-to-date airspace information, including temporary flight restrictions, using free apps like Aloft , Autopylot , or B4UFLY .
Interested in becoming an FAA-certified drone pilot so you can operate under the Part 107 regulations and make money flying your drone? Check out our industry-leading, online training course over at Drone Pilot Ground School.
So those are the federal rules.
But what about local Birmingham drone laws?
Here’s a guide we put together for drone laws in Alabama. Make sure to consult that to see if there are any local drone ordinances you should follow in Birmingham. When in doubt, use good judgment and follow the FAA’s guidelines.
Note: The content on this page is meant for informational purposes only and is not meant to take the place of legal counsel. If we missed something, or if you have further questions, please send an email to support[at]uavcoach[dot]com, and we’ll do our best to help you out.
Where to Fly a Drone in Birmingham
Alrighty—without further ado, here are our top picks for the best places to fly a drone in the Birmingham area. We selected these locations based on airspace restrictions, accessibility, and attractions. You’ll find that most of the locations we’ve chosen are located in uncontrolled, Class G airspace where you don’t need to request permission to fly. Additionally, we made sure to highlight any locations with designated sUAS/remote aircraft fields.
1 — Railroad Park
1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Airspace Class: Class C — Controlled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=33.509804&long=86.810162
Railroad Park is a 19-acre open green space in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. It was created as a part of a team effort between the city of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. The beautifully landscaped park features expansive views of the city skyline, a small lake, and trains that roll on by creating a stunning backdrop. Drone pilots will enjoy the openness of this location and the unique cityscape.
Source: Jpwhitmore
2 — Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=33.702539&long=-86.700299
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve consists of over 466-acres and is located in Pinson, Alabama. The main attraction at the preserve is the Turkey Creek Falls. As the water cascades over the ancient rock formations and rushes through the diverse landscape it creates a truly serene experience. Drone pilots will appreciate the natural beauty of this property and the numerous filming opportunities it presents.
Source: Andy Montgomery
3 — Lake Purdy
3780 Boat Launch Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=33.467704&long=
Lake Purdy is a large reservoir that supplies drinking water and is also used for recreation in Birmingham, Alabama. The lake spans just over 1050 acres and is surrounded by 7800 acres of mature forest. The undeveloped land gives this location a remote feeling, which is great for drone pilots who are looking to get away from the city to capture some incredible nature footage. It’s relatively close proximity to downtown and its picturesque views make this an ideal location for capturing that picture-perfect shot.
4 — Oak Mountain State Park
200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=33.332792&long=-86.737219
Oak Mountain State Park consists of 9,940 acres and is located in Pelham, Alabama. Originally, the park was only 940 acres and was situated between Double Oak Mountain and Little Oak Ridge. With over 8000 acres donated by the NPS, today it is the largest park in Alabama. It features three fishing lakes and a few smaller lakes that are scattered throughout the property. Numerous waterfalls varying in size can be found throughout the park which only adds to this incredibly unique landscape. Drone pilots will enjoy this location for its close proximity to Birmingham and its stunning views from the mountain top.
Source: Shannon McGee
5 — Talladega National Forest (Oakmulge Division)
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=32.818058&long=-87.043579
Talladega National Forest consists of a whopping 392,567 acres and is located in Brent, Alabama. The forest is broken up into the Oakmulge and Shoal Creek/Talladega divisions. Please review these tips before flying a drone in a National Forest. This particular section is centrally located and features steep ridges, streams, waterfalls, and two large lakes. The dense pine and oak tree forest provides a beautiful setting for any drone photo or video. With a multitude of natural attractions, this location offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Source: Amann09
Take a Drone Flight Training Class in Birmingham
If you’re new to drones or looking to take your flight skills to the next level, we offer hands-on drone flight training in the Birmingham area. Our classes start at 2-hours long, and our expert instructors walk you through what to do before, during and after your flight—you’ll practice intelligent flight modes and learn how to stay safe but also how to get the shots or data you need. During the class, you’ll also get a chance to ask questions about regulations, software, flight operations management, checklists and more.
Sign up for a hands-on drone flight training class in Birmingham.