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Regulations on drones don’t go far enough

Ag aviators, pilots applying crop protection products, have concerns when it comes to sharing air space with drones. 

Andrew Moore, Executive Director of the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) says aerial applicators need to know what’s in the area they’re working and that proposed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for drones don’t address ag aviator’s concerns. 

“Things like strobe lights on these UAV’s, or some sort of tracking system where in the UAV was equipped with it and we’re equipped with that technology as well, we would know its location,” Moore said. “These are two things right now that the FAA is not requiring for UAV’s which makes them a concern to us.” 

Moore says his organization would also like FAA regulations requiring drone operators to have a private pilot’s license. 

“And you have to have and show knowledge and skill that you can operate them,” said Moore. “These are things that the FAA’s proposal that’s not required.” 

It’s estimated that aerial applicators apply around 19 percent of crop protection products to commercial cropland.

Audio: Andrew Moore, Executive Director, National Agricultural Aviators Association