NAAA Issues Press Release Urging Drone Operators to Prioritize Safety and Yield to Manned Agricultural Aircraft This Growing Season
With another growing season approaching and at a time when aerial application services are expected to be in high demand, NAAA sent a news release earlier this week advising uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operators to be mindful of low-flying manned agricultural aircraft operations. The news release was distributed to trade media outlets covering agriculture, aviation and drones. The press release was picked up by AVweb, and NAAA CEO Andrew Moore will be interviewed on RFD-TV next week. Ag Air Update also picked up the story.
NAAA urges drone operators to do everything possible to avoid manned ag aircraft conducting important low-altitude work, including the following recommendations:
- Give the right of way to a manned aircraft. It’s the law.
- Equip drones with visible strobe lights, highly visible markings and tracking technology, such as an ADS-B In system.
- Monitor aviation radio frequency 122.925 MHz for crewed agricultural aircraft. To transmit on this frequency, consider a radio station license by submitting FCC Form 605.
- Be certified and well-trained in operating an uncrewed aircraft.
- Contact local agricultural aviation operations before flying by consulting the Find An Aerial Applicator database at AgAviation.org.
- Land your uncrewed aircraft immediately when a low-flying aircraft is nearby.
- Carry uncrewed aircraft liability insurance.
Research has proven that small UAS can be virtually invisible—and potentially lethal—to agricultural aviators, air ambulance helicopters, law enforcement and other low-flying manned aircraft operating in the same airspace.
This is the tenth consecutive year that NAAA has reached out to the media regarding safe drone operations as the spring growing season approaches.