How to Become an Aerial (Drone) Pesticide Applicator

How to Become an Aerial (Drone) Pesticide Applicator

Are you looking to start your own aerial application business or apply restricted use pesticides on your farm using a drone? If so, you need to become a certified remote pilot with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a licensed commercial or private pesticide applicator with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). The following will provide you with more information about the process.

Note, new guidance from PDA now allows private applicators to apply restricted-use pesticides with a drone on land rented or owned by them or their employer.

Become a Certified Remote-Pilot with FAA

There are several parts of the FAA regulations that directly impact all operators of small unmanned aircraft, or drones, when making pesticide applications. These are found in the FAA's Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under:

• 14 CFR Part 107 - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations – These regulations pertain to small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or "drones" that weigh less than 55 pounds at takeoff. Part 107 requires all operators to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA. Information can be found at "Becoming A Certified Remote Pilot Part 107". Note: for drones over 55 pounds, there are additional requirements.
• 14 CFR Part 137 - Dispensing Chemicals and Agricultural Products (Part 137) with UAS – This regulation pertains to the use of aircraft, including drones, to dispense or spray substances that are intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or kill a pest. Part 137 deals with unique safety issues and environmental impacts associated with aerial applications to crops. There is a separate certificate that is required by Part 137.

There are additional FAA requirements for drones under Part 107 and for drones weighing over 55 pounds that include:

• Section 44807 - Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems – This section deals with required exemptions to the regulations that must be obtained from the FAA. It includes an exemption for drones that exceed the maximum allowable weight limit of 55 pounds as specified in Part 107. Other exemptions are needed to fly at night, fly when the drone is out of the line of sight, or to fly multiple drones (swarm).
• Class 3 Medical Certificate for Commercial Drone Operations Class 3 – An FAA Class 3 Medical Certificate is required for specialized categories of operation that include drones weighing more than 55 pounds.
• CFR 14 Part 48 Drone Registration – Part 48 requires that all drones be registered with the FAA.

Obtaining an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107)

If you are a new pilot, you must first become a certified Remote Pilot through the FAA. The following information was taken from theFAA's webpage "Become a Certified Remote Pilot".

To become certified under Part 107, you must:

1. Be at least 16 years old
2. Be able to read, speak, and write in English
3. Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a drone
4. Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam: "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)"

Begin by creating an account on theIntegrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website.This website will guide you through the application process and will be used later when applying for your certificate, so keep your login information handy. This will also create a Federal Tracking Number (FTN) unique to you.

Next, you must take a test that covers general knowledge, "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)," to ensure you understand all the regulations and procedures that must be followed when operating a drone. There is a $175 test fee, and testing is done through a third-party vendor at a designated test center or online. The following link, FAA Airmen Knowledge Testing, will take you to a site where an appointment can be scheduled to take the test atthe FAA Airmen Knowledge Testing website. To help you with taking the test, there are study guides available from private vendors. All that is required to take the test is to have a government-issued photo ID. The test is multiple choice with 60 questions that require a passing rate of 70 percent.

Upon passing the Part 107 knowledge test, you will need to log back into your IACRA account or complete FAA Form 8710-13, Remote Pilot Certificate, to receive your certificate. To start the online process, click "Start New Application" and

1. Application Type "Pilot",
2. Certifications "Remote Pilot",
3. Other Path Information,
4. Start Application.

To complete this process, you will need your 17-digit knowledge test identification number that is entered when prompted. Fill out all the information requested, and when completed, submit your application for processing.

Once the application is processed and you pass the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check, you will receive an email that containsa temporary remote pilot certificate from the IACRA. A permanent remote pilot certificate will be mailed to your address whenall the FAA processing is complete. You must always have your certificate available when flying a drone after becoming a certified remote pilot.

Update Training Requirements Under Part 107

Once you become certified, you must complete an online training course every 24 calendar months to satisfy the aeronautical knowledge requirements. This can be done online at no cost through this link:"Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent Course".

Class 3 Medical Certificate for Commercial Drone Operations Class 3

An FAA Class 3Medical Certificate is required for operating drones within specialized categories that include drones weighing more than 55 pounds. This is due to the more demanding safety standards that are required when operating these drones. To start the medical evaluation process, FAA Form 8500-8 must be completed and submitted. The Class 3 Medical Certificate will be needed when applying for a 44807 Heavy Drone Exemption form, discussed below.

Exemptions

There are limitations under Part 107 on how drones under 55 pounds can be operated. These restrictions prohibit certain operations that will limit how you can use the drone when applying pesticides, which includes the actual application of pesticides. These Part 107 restrictions can be waived, with the use of specific exemptions that can be obtained from the FAA to allow these uses. Waiving these restrictions is done through FAA Section 44807 - Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems. For those drones that come under the provisions of Part 107, you will need to obtain an exemption for 14 CFR Part 107 Section 36 - Carriage of Hazardous Material that will allow you to carry and apply pesticides. There are additional drone operations commonly used that will require an exemption petition to perform:

• Operating a drone out of a visual line of sight
• Operate a drone at night
• Operate a drone below 400 feet from the ground
• Operate a drone in certain airspaces
• Operate multiple drones (swarm)

Drones weighing over 55 pounds fall under 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91. As a result, additional exemptions from some parts of these regulations are required to fly the drone. To fly a drone weighing over 55 pounds, an FAA 44807 Heavy Drone Exemption must be obtained from the FAA. As part of the exemption application, you will need to provide basic operational information that includes details about the drone's capabilities and safety features. More information about these exemptions can be obtained at"Advanced Operations - Dispensing Chemicals".

Dispensing Agricultural Products (Part 137)

Once you receive a notice that you have passed your knowledge test under Part 107, you will need to comply with FAA Part 137. This allows you to apply pesticides when operating drones weighing over 55 pounds. There is an additional certificate that is required when operating under the provisions of Part 137. To obtain the certificate, you will need to fill out FAA Form 8710-3 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate Application. Upon completion, the form is submitted to an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

Registration of Drones (Part 48)

The FAA requires that all drones be registered with the FAA. The registration process will depend on the weight of the drone. Registering your drone can be done either online through Drone Zone Access if your drone is under 55 pounds or by a paper application (referenced below). If the weight of your drone is over 55 pounds, you must submit a paper application using the Aircraft Registration Application AC Form 1050-1. The registration fee for a drone is $5 and is valid for three years. When flying a drone, a copy of the drone’s certification must be in the operator’s possession.

In addition, all registered drones must have remote ID ability in flight (Part 89). Remote ID provides identification and location information about the drone that can be received by other parties through a broadcast signal.

General FAA Drone Requirements

The following FAA website provides a summary of the general operating requirements and responsibilities of flying a drone - "Where Can I Fly, Airspace 101".

Become a Licensed Pesticide Applicator with PDA

To apply pesticides with a drone, you must be a certified pesticide applicator in most cases. The type of license required depends on the pesticide being used, along with the purpose and site of the application.

Private Applicator

A private applicator is someone who intends to purchase and/or apply restricted-use pesticides for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on land owned or rented by them or their employer. For a private applicator to apply a restricted-use pesticide using a drone, they must be currently certified as a private applicator.

Private applicator certification is not required if the application is being done to your own property to produce an agricultural commodity using a general-use pesticide.

Commercial/Public Applicator

Commercial and Public Applicators include those who apply pesticides to the property of others, anyone applying pesticides to public and private parks, golf courses, educational and research institutions, playgrounds and athletic fields, and schools even while on their own (or employer's) property, or those who use restricted use pesticides when not applied for the purpose of raising an agricultural product. If you intend to apply pesticides on any of these sites using a drone, you will need to be certified as a commercial/public pesticide applicator in the Aerial Applicator category (Category 25). To become certified, you must take a Commercial Applicator core exam (cost is $50) as well as the Category 25 Aerial Applicator category exam (cost is $10). The Category 25 certification is required for Commercial and Public Applicators who are using a drone to apply pesticides, regardless of whether they are general or restricted use pesticides.

In addition to the commercial applicator certification, a commercial business or public agency must have a Commercial Application Business license (cost is $35) issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and proof of general liability insurance.

For more information, see PDA's pesticide applicator certifications and licensing.

Study Materials

If you need study materials to prepare for the PDA exams, you can purchase them from the Extension website, by calling Penn State Extension's Customer Service at 877-345-0691 and mentioning the PEP codes listed below, or by contacting your local county office for availability.

For Private Applicators, you can find the Private Applicator study materials, PEP-00P, here: Private Applicator Study Packet.

For Commercial/Public core exam materials, PEP-00C, found here:Commercial Public Applicator Study Packet.Commercial/Public Applicators will also need theCategory 25 Aerial Applicator materials, PEP-25.

Taking the Exam

You must register with the PDA to take an exam and pay by check at the time of the exam. You can register online at thePaPlants websiteor by callingyour regional PDA office.

Keeping your PDA Certificate Up to Date

Certification runs on a three-year cycle. To maintain your certification, you must obtain the required recertification credits, with ½ hour of training being the equivalent of 1 credit. Regardless of the category of certification, each applicator must accumulate six core credits. The number of category-specific credits required for recertification varies from category to category.

For Private Applicators, they are required to get 6 Core and 6 Private Category credits (unless you have other category certifications).

Commercial/Public Applicators are required to get 6 Core credits, and the number of category-specific credits varies from category to category, with Category 25 Aerial Applicator requiring 10 credits.

Also, note that those individuals holding a Commercial/Public pesticide applicator certificate need to be working under a Pesticide Application Business license issued by PDA. There is a business license fee of $35 per year due at the end of December. Commercial/Public pesticide applicators have an annual license renewal fee of $40 due at the end of September. You can find more information on the PDA website, under "Commercial Public Pesticide Applicators".

Once you become a certified remote pilot with the FAA, have received your PDA certifications, and are working under a licensed business with the proper liability insurance coverage, you can apply pesticides using a drone as a commercial/public applicator or apply restricted-use pesticides if you are a certified private applicator. A private applicator does not have to maintain a business license or liability insurance.

Reminders

When applying pesticides with a drone, the product label must allow it to be applied aerially by a manned fixed-wing or rotary aircraft. If the product specifically prohibits its application aerially, it cannot be applied using a drone. In addition, when using a drone, all label language and precautions pertaining to aerial applications must be followed.

It is your duty as a remote pilot and pesticide applicator to keep up to date with current regulations from the FAA and PDA. Remember to always operate your drone safely and responsibly and follow best practices for both environmental and public safety.