Checklist: What Drone Operators Need To Know During Growing Season

The ag aviation industry is urging drone operators to operate with caution and to give the right-of-way to manned agricultural aircraft during this growing season.

Each year, agricultural aviators treat 127 million acres of U.S. cropland plus millions of acres of pastureland, rangeland and forestry that help farmers increase productivity and protect their crops.

With the U.S. agriculture industry entering its upcoming growing season, the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) reminds all uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operators, or drones, to be mindful of low-altitude crewed aircraft operations treating the fields.

The number of uncrewed aircraft operations has increased over the last few years, NAAA CEO Andrew Moore notes. “It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for manned aircraft to see a drone while conducting aerial applications 10 feet off the ground at speeds of up to 140 mph,” Moore says. “UAS are not allowed above 400 ft. without a waiver from the (FAA), meaning they share the low-altitude airspace with ag aircraft. We encourage professional and hobbyist UAS operators to keep this in mind, equip UAS with detect and avoid technology and give right-of-way to manned or crewed ag aircraft to ensure a safe 2025 growing season.”

In a survey by NAAA near the end of the 2024 growing season, 16% of manned aerial application operators reported encountering a drone while operating an ag aircraft, up from 11% in 2023.

To avoid collisions, ag aviators should circle the application site before entering it to make sure UAS operators have time to spot it and land their UAS, the NAAA says.

NAAA urges drone operators to:

• Give the right of way to manned aircraft. It’s the law.
• Make sure no manned aircraft are working in the field when returning to a field to fly a UAS. Scout fields each time upon return, not only at the beginning of the application.
• Equip drones with strobe lights, visible markings and tracking technology.
• Monitor aviation radio frequency 122.925 for crewed agricultural aircraft.
• Be certified and well-trained in operating uncrewed aircraft.
• Contact local agricultural aviation operations before flying by consulting the Find An Aerial Applicator at AgAviation.org.
• Land the uncrewed aircraft immediately when a low-flying aircraft is nearby.
• Carry uncrewed aircraft liability insurance.