If you're looking to enter the rapidly growing field of agricultural drone operations, obtaining your spray drone licenses is a crucial step in ensuring you're equipped with the necessary skills and legal permissions. Drones have revolutionized precision farming, offering a more efficient way to apply pesticides, fertilizers, and other treatments. However, before you can take to the skies, you'll need to navigate the regulatory requirements and gain the proper certification. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to get all of the following:
FAA Part 107 refers to the set of regulations established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governing the commercial operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), commonly known as drones, in the United States. It provides guidelines for drone pilots who wish to operate drones for business or commercial purposes.
Anyone operating a drone for commercial purposes, such as photography, surveying, real estate, inspections, agriculture, or mapping, must be certified under Part 107.
To become a pilot, you must:
How to Get a Part 107 Step-by-Step:
Step 1:
The first step is studying for your Remote Pilot Certification exam. Here are some resources and study guides:
Free Resources:
Paid Resources:
Please note: if opting for a paid course, the majority of our customers recommend Pilot Institute’s Part 107 course.
Step 2:
Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airmen Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test.
Step 3:
Schedule an appointment with an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. Be sure to bring a valid government-issued photo ID to your test.
Step 4:
Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test: “Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG)”.
Step 5:
Complete FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate (FAA Airmen Certificate and/or Rating Application) using the electronic FAA Integrated Airmen Certificate and/or Rating Application (IACRA).
Step 6:
A confirmation email will be sent once the applicant has completed the TSA security background check. This email will provide instructions for printing a copy of the temporary remote pilot certificate from IACRA.
Step 7:
A permanent remote pilot certificate will be sent via mail once all other FAA-internal processing is complete.
Step 8:
Have your remote pilot certificate available when you fly your UAS.
After purchasing your drone you must submit a set of documents to register your drone with the FAA. Once the FAA processes your documents you will be issued an Aircraft N Number. The N Number, commonly referred to as “tail number”, identifies your drone on the FAA’s database, ensuring compliance with its rules and regulations. N Numbers must also be displayed on your drone, typically on the tank or frame. Here’s the step-by-step instructions on how to obtain it:
Step 1: Aircraft Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1)
An original Aircraft Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1) must be submitted. Here’s a quick reference guide to filling out this form:
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Field 1: N Number |
Leave blank (if you have reserved one, enter it here) |
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Field 2: Aircraft Manufacturer |
Enter drone manufacturer name: DJI, XAG, etc |
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Field 3: Aircraft Model |
Enter aircraft model: Agras T50, Agras T40, etc |
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Field 4: Aircraft Serial Number |
For DJI Drones, the RID can be found in the Remote Control under Device Management > UAS Remote Identification (RID). For all DJI drones, the RID starts with 1581F. |
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Field 5: Type of registration |
Enter your type of business or individual registration |
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Field 6: Name(s) of Applicant(s) |
Enter the name of entity the drone will be registered exactly as shown on incorporation documents. If individual, enter first, middle initial and last name. |
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Field 7: Telephone number |
Enter your phone number |
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Field 8: Email Address |
Enter your email address |
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Field 9: Mailing Address |
Enter your mailing address. Your registration will be mailed to this address. |
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Field 10: Physical Location |
If a P.O. Box is listed in field 9, add a physical address here |
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Field 11: Change of Address |
Only check if you are reporting a change of address from a previous registration |
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Field 12: Certification |
Check the appropriate box of your entity/individual registration |
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Field 13a: Name of Applicant |
Enter your entity name |
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Field 13b: Signature |
The person signing this form must be a senior manager of the company. I.e. Director, President, Vice President, CEO, COO, Manager, etc. |
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Field 13c: Date |
Enter the date of signature |
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Field 13d: Name |
Type or print the signer’s name |
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Field 13e: Title |
Enter the signer’s title. Please, note that Owner is NOT an acceptable title for the FAA. Enter a title as shown above. |
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Fields 14-17 |
Only fill out these fields if you need to use the second page |
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Fields 18-26 |
Only fill out these fields if more than 1 person needs to sign the form |
Step 2: Limited Liability Companies
To determine if a Limited Liability Company (LLC) qualifies as a citizen of the United States, the citizenship of its members is evaluated based on the definitions established under Title 49, U.S.C. § 40102(a)(15)(A), (B), and (C). Additionally, its management structure is assessed against § 40102(a)(15)(C), which defines a "citizen of the United States" as follows:
When registering under an LLC, one of the following must be submitted:
Provide a copy of the document that establishes the LLC (e.g., Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or Operating Agreement). The document must:
Submit a written statement signed by an authorized individual that explains how the LLC qualifies as a U.S. citizen. The statement must include:
Step 3: A Notarized Affidavit of Ownership
A notarized Affidavit of Ownership must be included regarding the Unmanned Aircraft (UA).
Follow the instructions below to correctly fill out this form:
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N Number |
Leave blank (if you have reserved one, enter it here) |
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Class |
Rotorcraft |
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Manufacturer/Builder |
Enter the manufacturer’s name: DJI, XAG, etc |
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Model |
Enter the aircraft’s model: Agras T50, Agras T40, etc |
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Serial Number |
Choose Standard Remote ID. Enter the Remote ID. For DJI Drones, the RID can be found in the Remote Control under Device Management > UAS Remote Identification (RID). For all DJI drones, the RID starts with 1581F. |
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Engine Type |
Electric |
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Number of Engines |
Agras T50, T40 & T25: 8; Agras T30: 6; |
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Number of Seats |
0 |
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Max Takeoff Weight |
Agras T50: 227.07; T40: 222.67; T30: 171.96; T25: 127.87 |
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The Undersigned Owner Certifies |
If purchased from AckerSpray, check 1); Enter date of purchase as shown on invoice; Enter AckerSpray Drone Sales LLC for retail vendor name; Enter Appleton, WI USA for vendor’s location; check box attached (invoice must be attached with registration) |
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Owner’s Name(s) |
Enter the entity or individual’s name |
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Owner’s Signature(s) |
The person signing this form must be a senior manager of the company. I.e. Director, President, Vice President, CEO, COO, Manager, etc. |
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Printer Name of Signer(s) |
Enter the signer’s name. |
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Signer’s Title |
Enter the signer’s title if signing on behalf of a company. Please, note that Owner is NOT an acceptable title for the FAA. Enter a title as shown above. |
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Notary |
Ensure to sign in front of a notary and have it notarized before mailing it to the FAA. |
Step 4: Registration Fee
Submit the $5.00 registration fee via check or money order payable to the Federal Aviation Administration. Multiple fees can be combined into a single payment. Registration and N-number fees are waived for applicants that are Federal, State, or local government offices, agencies, or institutions.
Step 5: Mail Your Documents
Before mailing your documents, ensure you have all of the following:
Mail paper copies of every document to:
FAA Aircraft Registration Branch
P.O. Box 25504
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504
Step 5: After Submission
After you have mailed in your application to the FAA, you should receive your registration and N Number within 2.5-6 weeks.
To confirm that the FAA received your application, you can go to https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/DocumentIndexInquiry and type the entity’s name on the Party field.
To see if the FAA has given you an N Number, you can search here https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NameInquiry by typing in the entity’s name that registered the drone.
Step 6: Displaying Your N Number on Your Drone
The FAA requires all UAS to have its N Number displayed on the aircraft. You can use a sharpie or stickers, depending on your preference. Place the N Number in front of the tank or on the drone’s frame.
Drones weighing 55 pounds or more are commonly referred to as Heavy Drones. Per the FAA these +55lbs drones are regulated under 14 CFR Part 91 and require exemptions from certain provisions in 14 CFR Parts 61, 91, and 137.
You can obtain this exemption by petitioning the FAA on the regulations.gov website. Your petition will need to include why your drone doesn’t present a risk to the current airspace and which provisions you’re seeking relief from, among a number of other requirements that you can learn more here.
Petition to the FAA
Before moving forward, it’s important to note that petitions involving agricultural operations (Part 137) require the Part 107 Airmen Certificate and the aircraft’s N Number, as explained above.
Basic Information
Required Petition Information
Additional Information
You may also include the following information as additional documents:
After your petition is ready for submission, check the FAA’s visual aid to submit it to the Federal Docket Management System. You may also check approved petitions here.
Obtaining this exemption on your own can be very challenging and take tremendous amounts of time. Hire us and we’ll take care of this for you.
A Third-Class Medical Certificate is a medical clearance issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for pilots who want to fly as private, recreational, or student pilots. It ensures that a pilot meets the basic health requirements to safely operate an aircraft.
Step 1:
Create an FAA MedExpress Account at: https://medxpress.faa.gov/MedXpress/Login.aspx
Step 2:
Find an examiner near you and schedule an appointment: FAA Designee Management System
Step 3:
Please, read the following regarding 3rd Class Medical eligibility: 3rd Class Medical eligibility
If you have an existing condition, please contact the AME’s office to find out if you need to bring additional documentation.
Step 4:
During the examination, the AME will determine if you meet the standards for a 3rd Class Medical, and will issue your Medical Certificate.
After receiving your approved exemptions, you can apply for your Operator Certificate. To do so, complete FAA Form 8710-3 and email it along with your exemption number to UAS137Certificates@faa.gov.
After receiving your application, the FAA will review all documents, and, if they were completed correctly, your certificate will be issued and mailed to you in 2-10 weeks.
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American territories
US territories also have their own specific requirements. You can find out more by clicking on any of the territories below:
Puerto Rico | American Samoa | Guam | Northern Marina Islands | Virgin Islands
Once you’ve obtained your licenses, it’s important to stay compliant and keep them up to date. Here are key requirements to follow:
By staying organized and compliant, you’ll ensure smooth operations and avoid potential penalties.
Operating an ag spray drone involves obtaining multiple licenses and certifications while following strict regulations. Although the process can be challenging, you can become fully licensed within 90-120 days if everything is done correctly from the get go. If you have any questions or need guidance along the way, feel free to reach out to us for assistance.