Farms.com Home   News

Thinking Of Using Drones For Weed Or Fire Assessment Work?

Thinking Of Using Drones For Weed Or Fire Assessment Work?
Aerial drones are cool.  But they can't do everything (just yet).  Here are a couple tidbits of information you should consider if you are thinking about getting one (or more) to help you with your weed scouting, plan to use it for herbicide application or even assess damage to an orchard.
  1. You need to get a Remote Pilot Airman Certificate (FAA Part 107) if you are going to do anything commercial with it. That includes even if you are using it on a job where you will not be paid.
  2. You can use it for scouting but you can't fly it over people (unless you get a waiver). You also always have to have it in your or an assistant's (the spotter with radio communication) line of sight.
  3. Even if you have a drone that is capable of doing a spray application, the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation currently requires that the drone pilot have an Airman's Certificate (Pilot's license). This is addition to the Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate from DPR. However, things may change in 2018. See pages 3-47 to 3-52 in http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/enforce/compend/vol_1/entirerep.pdf

Source: ucanr.edu


Trending Video

Grass Growth - Leeds County Pasture Walk Part 7

Video: Grass Growth - Leeds County Pasture Walk Part 7

Presented by Brad & Karen Davis, owners of Black Kreek Ranch, Anita O'Brien, Grazing Mentor, and Christine O'Reilly, Forage & Grazing Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Watch each video from this event to learn about grazing tips, water systems, setting up fencing, working with net fencing, electric fencing tips, grass growth and managing grazing, gates and laneways, and frost seeding.