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Part 107 in South Carolina: Joint-Use Airports

Charleston's airport shares runways with an Air Force base, so civil and military traffic mix. What that and hurricane season mean for Part 107 pilots.

Ivan TesolkinFounder, Clear107

South Carolina's distinctive Part 107 feature is Charleston, where the civil airport shares its runways with Joint Base Charleston. Military transport aircraft and airline traffic use the same controlled airspace. Along the coast, hurricane season adds disaster flight restrictions after storms.

This guide focuses on what makes flying in South Carolina different. State and local rules on privacy, trespass and parks still apply, and the Part 107 rules apply everywhere.

How do you fly near a joint-use airport?

The controlled airspace works the same way: prior authorization under §107.41, usually through LAANC. Expect large military aircraft and keep a sharp lookout. Columbia, Greenville-Spartanburg and Myrtle Beach also have Class C.

What happens after a hurricane?

The FAA may issue temporary flight restrictions over disaster areas, and §107.47 requires compliance. Check TFRs before every post-storm job. The restricted airspace post explains TFRs.

What weather matters on normal days?

Humid heat cuts lift and fuels afternoon storms; see the density altitude post.

What this means for the exam

South Carolina-specific rules are not on the FAA knowledge test, which covers federal rules only. The federal topics here, airspace authorization, restricted areas, weather limits and performance, are.

Other states are compared in the state drone laws guide.

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