The use of drones on the farm is growing. But according to information provided by the University of Florida Extension, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates drone use, and all drones need to be registered with the FAA. Plus, commercial operators flying drones for business purposes must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate, according to the Small UAS Rule.
If you are interested in obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate, a training is coming up next month in Live Oak to prepare you for the aeronautical knowledge exam. The event will be held July 18th in Live Oak, Florida. For farmers and other commercial operators, the training fee is $75. For UF faculty and staff, the fee is $15. But this is only a training session, as examinations will not be administered at the training site. But once you pass the exam, certificates are valid for two years. Here is location information for the examination center nearest to you, and a link to register for the training session.