An extension educator says commercial agricultural drone operators will need certification under new Federal Aviation Administration rules.
George Silva with Michigan State University said that landmark rule changes in June made commercially operating a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle less restrictive.
“Without acquiring the full knowledge and skills of a manned aircraft operator, the drone operators can now pass a knowledge test and go through a TSA background check.”
He said anyone operating a drone for commercial hire needs a remote pilot in command certification. The license is currently valid for two years.
Unmanned aerial vehicles are limited to a 400-foot fly space, but operators can apply for waivers if the higher altitudes can be justified.
Recent forecasts by Lux Research suggest the agriculture industry will be the largest segment to use the technology, generating about $350 million in revenue by 2025.
Source: brownfieldagnews.com