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Drone Rules for Walnut Canyon National Monument
Coconino County, Arizona (AZ)
• United States
Arizona, USA
Lat: 35.169 • Lng: -111.504
Rules Edit History: Walnut Canyon National Monument
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May 29, 2026 4:26 AM
Approved
• Added NPS drone ban for Walnut Canyon NM with Sinagua cliff dwelling context.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit has been approved. The updated rule now accurately reflects the prohibition of drone operations at Walnut Canyon National Monument, aligning with National Park Service regulations and the site's status as a significant archaeological site.
Sources
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-2/section-2.17 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1510/arpa.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uaspolicy.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/waca/planyourvisit/rules.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-1/section-1.5 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Walnut Canyon National Monument under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the monument superintendent. | Drones are prohibited at Walnut Canyon National Monument per NPS policy. Sinagua cliff dwellings are protected. |
| Mapped shapes | ab30830f-44e2-49e6-bcd0-edda38e6bc67 | 87f2a705-bed5-4e07-9ab3-b62730fc59d7 |
Before
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Airspace: ⚠️ Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) Class D — ATC authorization mandatory for all UAS operations - Archaeological Layer: ⚠️ ARPA — 25 Sinagua cliff dwelling rooms; intact limestone alcove architecture; Hopi ancestral affiliation ## Geographic Boundaries Walnut Canyon National Monument is located in Coconino County, Arizona, administered by the National Park Service. - Total area: ~3,579 acres - Coordinates: 35.1697° N, 111.5025° W - Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~7 miles west) - Nearest airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) ~5 miles west - Terrain: 400-ft deep Walnut Canyon; Kaibab Limestone cliffs; ponderosa pine rim forest; 25 cliff dwelling rooms in limestone alcoves; Island Trail descends into canyon via 240 steps - Sinagua people occupation ~1100–1250 CE; ~100 individual rooms documented throughout canyon system - Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Class D airspace overlaps monument - Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation cultural affiliation - Adjacent to Coconino National Forest on canyon rim - Airspace: Class D (FLG) — ATC authorization mandatory ## Regulations - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within monument - FAA 14 CFR Part 107.41 — Flagstaff Class D (FLG); ATC authorization mandatory via LAANC or DroneZone for all UAS operations - Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — Sinagua cliff dwelling rooms; limestone alcove architecture sensitive to rotor prop wash vibration; ARPA enforcement active - National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) — monument listed on National Register of Historic Places - American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) — Hopi Tribe maintains active ancestral relationship with Sinagua/Hisat'sinom sites in Walnut Canyon - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — peregrine falcon nesting on canyon limestone faces; Mexican spotted owl documented - Coconino National Forest 36 CFR § 261.10 — applies on canyon rim lands outside monument boundary - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide ## Penalties - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation - Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3 - FAA Class D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day + certificate action - ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment - MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required; FAA Class D ATC authorization via LAANC required simultaneously - ARPA federal research permit + Hopi tribal consultation required for cliff dwelling proximity operations - Structural vibration assessment required before any low-altitude permit near limestone alcove dwellings - Coconino National Forest coordination for rim operations outside monument boundary Submit requests to: Walnut Canyon National Monument Superintendent, 3 Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 FAA LAANC: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
After
## Drone Rules - Walnut Canyon National Monument **Drone flights are banned** at Walnut Canyon National Monument. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone use within the monument - Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit - Over 25 Sinagua cliff dwellings built into the canyon ledges around 1100-1250 AD are protected ### Source - Walnut Canyon NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/waca/planyourvisit/rules.htm
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- - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - - Airspace: ⚠️ Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) Class D — - ATC authorization mandatory for all UAS operations - - Archaeological Layer: ⚠️ ARPA — 25 Sinagua cliff dwelling rooms; - intact limestone alcove architecture; Hopi ancestral affiliation - Walnut Canyon National Monument is located in Coconino County, - Arizona, administered by the National Park Service. - - Total area: ~3,579 acres - - Coordinates: 35.1697° N, 111.5025° W - - Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~7 miles west) - - Nearest airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) ~5 miles west - - Terrain: 400-ft deep Walnut Canyon; Kaibab Limestone cliffs; - ponderosa pine rim forest; 25 cliff dwelling rooms in limestone - alcoves; Island Trail descends into canyon via 240 steps - - Sinagua people occupation ~1100–1250 CE; ~100 individual rooms - documented throughout canyon system - - Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Class D airspace overlaps monument - - Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation cultural affiliation - - Adjacent to Coconino National Forest on canyon rim - - Airspace: Class D (FLG) — ATC authorization mandatory - - FAA 14 CFR Part 107.41 — Flagstaff Class D (FLG); ATC authorization - mandatory via LAANC or DroneZone for all UAS operations - - Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — - Sinagua cliff dwelling rooms; limestone alcove architecture - sensitive to rotor prop wash vibration; ARPA enforcement active - - National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) — - monument listed on National Register of Historic Places - - American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) — - Hopi Tribe maintains active ancestral relationship with - Sinagua/Hisat'sinom sites in Walnut Canyon - - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — peregrine falcon - nesting on canyon limestone faces; Mexican spotted owl documented - - Coconino National Forest 36 CFR § 261.10 — applies on canyon - rim lands outside monument boundary - - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - - Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3 - - FAA Class D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day + - certificate action - - ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment - - MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment - - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - - Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers - ## Special Permissions - - NPS Special Use Permit required; FAA Class D ATC authorization - via LAANC required simultaneously - - ARPA federal research permit + Hopi tribal consultation required - for cliff dwelling proximity operations - - Structural vibration assessment required before any low-altitude - permit near limestone alcove dwellings - - Coconino National Forest coordination for rim operations - outside monument boundary - Submit requests to: Walnut Canyon National Monument Superintendent, - 3 Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 - FAA LAANC: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange - Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: - PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
May 28, 2026 11:51 PM
Approved
• Added a complete drone restriction profile for Walnut Canyon National Monument based on NPS 36 CFR § 1.5, § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization, ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling vibration-sensitivity protections, NHPA National Register listing, AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, MBTA peregrine falcon canyon nesting, and FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit to the drone restriction profile for Walnut Canyon National Monument has been approved. The information is accurate and well-supported by official sources, and the outline appropriately matches the selected location. Thank you for your contribution.
Sources
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-2/section-2.17 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1510/arpa.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uaspolicy.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-1/section-1.5 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), FAA Flagstaff Class D mandatory ATC authorization (14 CFR Part 107.41), ARPA Sinagua limestone alcove cliff dwelling protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), NHPA National Register listing (54 U.S.C. § 300101), AIRFA Hopi ancestral affiliation, and MBTA peregrine falcon nesting protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
Click to load this change into the shared map viewer here.
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Flight status | Unknown | NoFly |
| Summary | — | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Walnut Canyon National Monument under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the monument superintendent. |
| Mapped shapes | — | ab30830f-44e2-49e6-bcd0-edda38e6bc67 |
Before
After
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Airspace: ⚠️ Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) Class D — ATC authorization mandatory for all UAS operations - Archaeological Layer: ⚠️ ARPA — 25 Sinagua cliff dwelling rooms; intact limestone alcove architecture; Hopi ancestral affiliation ## Geographic Boundaries Walnut Canyon National Monument is located in Coconino County, Arizona, administered by the National Park Service. - Total area: ~3,579 acres - Coordinates: 35.1697° N, 111.5025° W - Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~7 miles west) - Nearest airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) ~5 miles west - Terrain: 400-ft deep Walnut Canyon; Kaibab Limestone cliffs; ponderosa pine rim forest; 25 cliff dwelling rooms in limestone alcoves; Island Trail descends into canyon via 240 steps - Sinagua people occupation ~1100–1250 CE; ~100 individual rooms documented throughout canyon system - Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Class D airspace overlaps monument - Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation cultural affiliation - Adjacent to Coconino National Forest on canyon rim - Airspace: Class D (FLG) — ATC authorization mandatory ## Regulations - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within monument - FAA 14 CFR Part 107.41 — Flagstaff Class D (FLG); ATC authorization mandatory via LAANC or DroneZone for all UAS operations - Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — Sinagua cliff dwelling rooms; limestone alcove architecture sensitive to rotor prop wash vibration; ARPA enforcement active - National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) — monument listed on National Register of Historic Places - American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) — Hopi Tribe maintains active ancestral relationship with Sinagua/Hisat'sinom sites in Walnut Canyon - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — peregrine falcon nesting on canyon limestone faces; Mexican spotted owl documented - Coconino National Forest 36 CFR § 261.10 — applies on canyon rim lands outside monument boundary - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide ## Penalties - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation - Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3 - FAA Class D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day + certificate action - ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment - MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required; FAA Class D ATC authorization via LAANC required simultaneously - ARPA federal research permit + Hopi tribal consultation required for cliff dwelling proximity operations - Structural vibration assessment required before any low-altitude permit near limestone alcove dwellings - Coconino National Forest coordination for rim operations outside monument boundary Submit requests to: Walnut Canyon National Monument Superintendent, 3 Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 FAA LAANC: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
Show inline change markers
+ ## Authorization Status + - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned + - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit + - Airspace: ⚠️ Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) Class D — + ATC authorization mandatory for all UAS operations + - Archaeological Layer: ⚠️ ARPA — 25 Sinagua cliff dwelling rooms; + intact limestone alcove architecture; Hopi ancestral affiliation + + ## Geographic Boundaries + Walnut Canyon National Monument is located in Coconino County, + Arizona, administered by the National Park Service. + - Total area: ~3,579 acres + - Coordinates: 35.1697° N, 111.5025° W + - Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~7 miles west) + - Nearest airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) ~5 miles west + - Terrain: 400-ft deep Walnut Canyon; Kaibab Limestone cliffs; + ponderosa pine rim forest; 25 cliff dwelling rooms in limestone + alcoves; Island Trail descends into canyon via 240 steps + - Sinagua people occupation ~1100–1250 CE; ~100 individual rooms + documented throughout canyon system + - Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Class D airspace overlaps monument + - Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation cultural affiliation + - Adjacent to Coconino National Forest on canyon rim + - Airspace: Class D (FLG) — ATC authorization mandatory + + ## Regulations + - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units + - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority + - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within monument + - FAA 14 CFR Part 107.41 — Flagstaff Class D (FLG); ATC authorization + mandatory via LAANC or DroneZone for all UAS operations + - Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — + Sinagua cliff dwelling rooms; limestone alcove architecture + sensitive to rotor prop wash vibration; ARPA enforcement active + - National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) — + monument listed on National Register of Historic Places + - American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) — + Hopi Tribe maintains active ancestral relationship with + Sinagua/Hisat'sinom sites in Walnut Canyon + - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — peregrine falcon + nesting on canyon limestone faces; Mexican spotted owl documented + - Coconino National Forest 36 CFR § 261.10 — applies on canyon + rim lands outside monument boundary + - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide + + ## Penalties + - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation + - Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3 + - FAA Class D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day + + certificate action + - ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment + - MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment + - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day + - Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers + + ## Special Permissions + - NPS Special Use Permit required; FAA Class D ATC authorization + via LAANC required simultaneously + - ARPA federal research permit + Hopi tribal consultation required + for cliff dwelling proximity operations + - Structural vibration assessment required before any low-altitude + permit near limestone alcove dwellings + - Coconino National Forest coordination for rim operations + outside monument boundary + Submit requests to: Walnut Canyon National Monument Superintendent, + 3 Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 + FAA LAANC: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange + Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: + PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039