UAS Agricultural Exemption Petition for 55lb Aircraft
Summary
The FAA granted a petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 and 14 C.F.R. Part 11 authorizing commercial agricultural UAS operations with aircraft weighing 55 pounds or more. The exemption permits up to 3 simultaneous UAS operations by a single pilot in command without visual observers during night VLOS operations in visual meteorological conditions.
What changed
The FAA granted an exemption petition authorizing commercial agricultural UAS operators to conduct operations with unmanned aircraft weighing 55 pounds or more. The exemption permits up to 3 simultaneous UAS operations by a single Pilot in Command without Visual Observers during night Visual Line of Sight operations in Visual Meteorological Conditions, and includes medical relief provisions for day operations.
Agricultural UAS operators seeking to operate aircraft over 55 pounds for commercial purposes must now comply with the specific conditions of this exemption rather than general UAS operating rules. Operators should review the full exemption terms and ensure their operations meet all specified requirements to maintain compliance and avoid potential enforcement actions.
What to do next
- Review FAA exemption requirements for 55lb+ agricultural UAS operations
- Update operational procedures to comply with exemption conditions
- Ensure night VLOS and medical relief provisions are met
Archived snapshot
Apr 10, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Comment
Summary Grant Petition for an Exemption to Conduct Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations
Allowed by Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems. Title 49 U.S.C. § 44807, and 14
C.F.R. Part 11 to Authorize Commercial Agricultural- Related Services with UAS Weighing 55
Pounds or More. Up to 3 simultaneously, by a Single Pilot in Command (PIC), Without the Services
of a Visual Observer (VO), During Night Visual Line of Sight (VLOS), in Visual Meteorological
Conditions and Medical Relief for Day Operations.
Attachments 2
ARF 44807 Alex Wilburn
CONFIDENTIAL FAA Data Form - Alex Wilburn
Restricted: Confidential Business Information
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