Agricultural spray drones are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. From their inception 10 years ago to today, the technology has greatly improved and farms across the country have been flying them. The biggest challenge to implementing a sprayer drone is licensing requirements. It can be a long and tedious process, however, with the right guidance and information, you’ll be able to obtain them without any headaches. Here’s what you need to know about ag spray drone licenses:
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:
If you need more information on Part 107, make sure to read our step-by-step guide.
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.
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.
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 a nightmare 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.
Beginning late 2024 the FAA started approving exemptions without a requirement for a 3rd Class Medical Certificate for daytime UAS operations. If you’re looking to spray at night, however, this certificate is still required. Obtaining this certificate involves scheduling an appointment with an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and going through an examination. If you meet the requirements, your certificate will be issued on the spot.
This license, commonly referred to as Aerial Applicator License, rules the use of aircraft to dispense chemicals and agricultural products. Drones/UAVs weighing more than 55lbs are regulated under 14 CFR Part 91 and require exemption from several regulations. As such, to obtain this license you must first obtain your heavy drone exemption as explained above. Having this certificate ensures that you understand the environmental implications of spraying chemicals from drones as well as the limitations and conditions present on your 44807 exemption.
Most States require a Pesticide License to apply chemicals and agricultural products. Some states may also require an Aerial component (Aerial Applicator’s License). Getting a Pesticide Applicator License usually involves submitting an application to your state’s ag department, obtaining study materials and passing an exam. A few states require hands-on training or becoming an apprentice for a year or so. Insurance will likely be a requirement as well, specially for commercial applicators. For more information, check out our Pesticide License reference guide.
Some things to keep in mind once you get your licenses is that you’ll need to renew them. Also, you’ll need to maintain compliance as you operate by doing the following:
Operating an ag spray drone requires a few licenses and certifications, and adhering to several rules and regulations. While this is not an easy process, it’s certainly possible to become fully licensed within 90 days. If you have any questions or need assistance throughout this process, don’t hesitate to contact us.