Drones
How legal & safe are you?
According to the FAA, legally using a drone requires more than flying it.
W
ith the rise in popularity of drone use, you have likely read numerous articles on the uses of unmanned
aerial systems in the agriculture and irrigation industries. As a result, you may be realizing that using a drone is right for your operation. So, what’s next? With the high degree of autonomy of the current drones available on the market, it would seem that all one has to do is obtain a commercial quality drone for about $1,000 and head to the field. However, it is not that simple.
The unmanned aerial systems we are experiencing are rapidly evolving. Equipment grows in capability and sophistication, along with numerous apps to meet every need. The Federal Aviation Administration regulations are also evolving. On Aug. 29, 2016, the FAA released its initial rules governing the commercial use of unmanned aerial systems. Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Administration regulations provides the guidelines we must follow.
To use a drone in your operation, you must adhere to FAA requirements for commercial operation of drones. These requirements include registering your drone with the FAA, obtaining a remote pilot certificate, and following the operational requirements of Part 107. After reading the requirements, you may think they don’t apply to you because you are not a commercial
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drone operator and you are not charging anyone directly for the use of your drone. The FAA clearly defines commercial use as any use that is not specifically a hobby or for personal recreation; all other uses are considered commercial. That’s a broad definition. Even though you consider your drone activities to be ancillary to your operation, you must have a Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Remote Pilot license to legally operate. If a grower uses a drone to evaluate the condition of crops, the FAA considers that a commercial use.
Steps to become a legal UAS pilot
The FAA’s website (
www.faa.gov) is a valuable resource with an entire section dedicated to all the information and knowledge needed to become a remote pilot. If you are a licensed pilot with a current flight review, the basic steps are relatively easy. First, take the FAA Safety Team online course. Upon successful completion, you will obtain a certificate. Next, apply for the remote pilot certificate through the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application
By Douglas R. Moore
online. Finally, meet with a certified flight instructor, airman certification representative, flight standards district staff or designated pilot examiner to obtain your endorsement.
If you are not a licensed pilot or are a licensed pilot with a lapsed flight review, the process is a bit more involved. First, prepare to take the Part 107 test by studying the required aeronautical knowledge. The FAA website has study materials available at no charge. A further check of the web shows commercial online study materials starting at $20, online courses for less than $350 and even formal classroom activities reaching $1,500. Classroom training usually includes hands- on experience with actual drone operation.
Next, register for an account with the FAA’s electronic application system — Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application. Once you have obtained the knowledge necessary to pass the test, locate a center to take the FAA remote pilot knowledge test using the complete testing center list online. Take and pass the FAA Unmanned Aircraft General — Small
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