Scout the field
Find crop stress, drainage patterns, gaps and difficult terrain before committing people or equipment to a treatment plan.
UNSTRUCKED / AGRICULTURESee the crop.
See the crop.
Serve the land.
From field intelligence to targeted application, find a drone system that fits the crop, the crew and the local rules.
THE FARM WORKFLOWOne field.
One field.
Many missions.
Good equipment choices begin with the job. A scouting aircraft, spray platform and granular spreader answer different questions.
Map the work
Document field boundaries and build repeatable routes. Evaluate the data workflow alongside the aircraft and sensor.
Spray with precision
Compare tank capacity, flow, coverage, terrain following, refill time and drift controls for the crop and approved product.
Spread inputs
Assess granular delivery for seed and fertilizer, including swath, refill logistics and application consistency.
BEFORE YOU BUY
Evaluate the entire operation.
Match acreage and crop geometry to usable payload, spray flow, terrain following, battery cycles, filling and charging time, local parts, training and total cost. For pesticide work, confirm the product label permits the application method and that the operator has the required aviation and pesticide credentials.
START HERE / U.S. PATHFrom first flight
From first flight
to first treatment.
These five official starting points help a prospective operator identify the approvals to obtain. The exact combination depends on aircraft weight, state, crop and application.
- 01FAA pilot certification ↗
Qualify the pilot
In the US, begin with the FAA remote-pilot pathway for commercial small-drone operations. Larger aircraft may follow a different authorization path.
- 02FAA large-drone exemptions ↗
Authorize the aircraft
Check registration, operating category and aircraft weight. Many loaded spray drones exceed the Part 107 weight limit and require a Section 44807 exemption.
- 03FAA Part 137 process ↗
Certify aerial application
A drone that dispenses chemicals or agricultural products enters the FAA Part 137 agricultural-aircraft process.
- 04California pilot certificate ↗
Meet pesticide requirements
Obtain the applicable state or local applicator and business permissions. In California, review the aircraft pilot pest-control certificate packet.
- 05EPA label guidance ↗
Read the exact product label
Confirm the crop or site, application method, rates, drift protections and other directions for the particular pesticide before use.
For a farm outside the US, follow your country's aviation and pesticide regulators. The regional links below provide starting points; your local authority determines the actual permissions.
MANUFACTURER STARTING POINTSAircraft worth
Aircraft worth
examining.
These are examples for research, not endorsements or affiliate purchase links. Availability and permitted configurations vary by country.
Agras T100
Large agricultural operationsA modular platform for spraying and spreading. Check regional availability and the configuration that fits your acreage.
Explore at DJI ↗P150 Max
Multi-task farm workflowsA platform with swappable systems for spraying, spreading and mapping. Compare its service network and field logistics.
Explore at XAG ↗AgDrone range
US agricultural operatorsCrop-treatment aircraft and AgroSol planning software. Compare support, training and configuration for your operation.
Explore at Hylio ↗FLY & APPLY LAWFULLYCheck the rules
Check the rules
where you farm.
Flight permission and pesticide permission are separate questions. Start with the responsible authorities for your location and treatment.
United States
FAA agricultural aircraft operations
Start with Part 137 when an aircraft dispenses chemicals or agricultural products.
Official guidance ↗CaliforniaPest-control aircraft pilot certificate
The state certificate packet specifically addresses UAS pest-control operators.
Official guidance ↗CanadaSpecial drone operations
Check Transport Canada's permission pathway for operations involving hazardous payloads such as chemicals.
Official guidance ↗AustraliaAgricultural spraying rules
CASA explains aviation requirements and points operators to state or territory aerial-distribution rules.
Official guidance ↗Elsewhere? Begin with the aviation authority directory, then confirm your national and local pesticide, agricultural and environmental requirements before application.
Better decisions start above the field.
Use the guides to learn the flight fundamentals, then compare each aircraft against your crop and operating plan.