Heinen Brothers Agra Services in KS is First U.S. Customer of Pyka’s Pelican Spray UAS for Aerial Applications

According to a joint press release, Pyka has named NAAA member, Heinen Brothers Agra Services, as its first Pelican Spray customer in the United States.

Based in Seneca, Kansas, Heinen Brothers is one of North America’s largest privately owned aerial application service providers. Pyka, known for manufacturing and distributing the Pelican Spray—an advanced, autonomous electric crop protection aircraft—has now partnered with Heinen Brothers who will immediately integrate the Pelican Spray into its existing fleet.

This partnership follows Pyka’s recent FAA approval for commercial use of the Pelican Spray in the U.S., which is noted as the largest Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) authorized by the FAA for commercial operations . The Pelican Spray can carry up to 540 lbs (70 gallons) of liquid and spray up to 240 acres per hour. It has a 400 pound max payload in 70 cubic feet of cargo volume. Its range with max payload is 200 miles / 320 km (+20 min reserve). The Pelican Spray’s required runway is 820 ft x 27 ft / 250 m x 8 m with takeoff run with max payload of 500 ft / 150m.

Stay tuned to NAAA’s Fall 2024 Agricultural Aviation magazine for an article about crewed aircraft operators who have integrated uncrewed aircraft systems into their operation and an update on drone companies.