A sign of the times on today’s Bottom Line report, the National Agricultural Aviation Association is asking drone operators to be mindful of low flying aircraft this time of year. The Aviation Association says agricultural aircraft treat an estimated 140 million acres, cropland, pasture land, and timberland each year, and much of it happens this time of year.
Drones share the airspace below 400 feet, many times aircraft flying at over 100 miles an hour and 10 to 15 feet off the ground treating cropland. Last year, 20 percent of aerial applicators reported an unsafe encounter, but many times the drone also was doing agricultural work. Not a matter of right and wrong, officials say, just a matter of being aware.
Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold for Southeast AgNet.