With many in agriculture entering the 2025 growing season, the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is asking all uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operators (or drones) to be mindful of low-altitude crewed (or manned) agricultural aircraft operations. Agricultural aviators treat 127 million acres of cropland in the U.S. each year in addition to millions of acres of pastureland, rangeland and forestry that help farmers increase productivity and protect their crops.
“With the increasing number of uncrewed aircraft operations over the last few years, their operators must be aware of low-flying, manned agricultural aircraft,” said Andrew Moore, chief executive officer of NAAA. “It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for manned aircraft to see a drone while conducting aerial applications 10 feet off the ground at speeds of up to 140 mph. UAS are not allowed above 400 feet without a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), meaning they share the low-altitude airspace with ag aircraft. We encourage professional and hobbyist UAS operators to keep this in mind, equip UAS with detect and avoid technology and give right-of-way to manned or crewed ag aircraft to ensure a safe 2025 growing season.”
In a survey conducted by NAAA near the end of the 2024 agricultural aviation season, 16% of manned aerial application operators reported encountering a drone while operating an ag aircraft last year, this is compared to 11% in 2023.
To assist with avoiding collisions between manned ag aircraft and UAS, NAAA has recommended that manned ag aviators should circle the application site before entering it to ensure UAS operators have time to spot the manned aircraft and land their UAS.
The FAA also reminds UAS users to keep safety in mind during their annual Drone Safety Day on Saturday, April 26.
If you’re going to fly a UAS, please be responsible and do everything possible to avoid crewed/manned agricultural aircraft. To learn more, click here.