FAA Approves Testing of UAV Sprayer.

May 08, 2015

By Farms.com Editors

Unmanned aerial systems are becoming more sophisticated and now farmers may be using remote controlled precision sprayers in the near future. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved an unmanned helicopter for test use in agriculture this month. The Yamaha RMAX has been approved in Japan for more than 20 years as a precision pesticide and fertilizer sprayer. See the video below of the Yamaha RMAX in action spraying a field in Japan.

This is the FAA’s first exemption approval to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for spraying purposes in agriculture. Specialty crops, especially vineyards, are ideal for the helicopter where spraying from the ground, piloted aircrafts or on difficult terrain is ineffective. The UAV should allow farmers to target specific areas of their crops and cut down on application use. Other unmanned sprayers will need individual approval from the FAA.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.