NAAA Reminds Drone Operators to Yield to Agplanes

As the U.S. agricultural season kicks into high gear, the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is calling on both professional and hobbyist drone operators to exercise heightened awareness and caution during their flights.

This appeal aims to mitigate the risks of aerial collisions as low-flying manned agricultural aircraft commence their crucial work over the nation's croplands.

Agricultural aviators are responsible for treating an impressive 127 million acres of U.S. cropland annually. These operations often occur at altitudes as low as 10 feet, at speeds up to 140 mph, making it extremely challenging for pilots to detect and avoid drones, which are typically mandated to fly below 400 feet without specific waivers from the FAA.

Andrew Moore, CEO of NAAA, emphasizes the critical nature of this issue: "It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for manned aircraft to see a drone while conducting crop-enhancing and other aerial applications at low altitudes and high speeds. We urge drone operators to equip their UAS with detect and avoid technology and to always yield the right of way to manned aircraft to ensure a safe growing season."

The NAAA highlights several guidelines for drone operators to follow:

• Always give right of way to manned aircraft, as required by law.
• Equip drones with visible strobe lights, distinctive markings, and tracking technologies like ADS-B In systems.
• Obtain proper certification and training for safe and effective drone operation.
• Consult local agricultural operations before flight by using resources like the Find An Aerial Applicator database available at AgAviation.org.
• Land drones immediately if a low-flying manned aircraft is spotted nearby.
• Maintain adequate unmanned aircraft liability insurance.

These precautions come in response to an NAAA survey where 11% of agricultural pilots reported encountering a drone during flight operations last year, underscoring the growing concern over safe airspace cohabitation.

The FAA also supports these safety measures and will highlight them during their annual Drone Safety Day, reflecting the ongoing commitment to integrating drones safely into national airspace. As drone registrations and the number of certified remote pilots continue to rise sharply, the importance of conscientious drone operation cannot be overstated.

FMI: Agaviation.org