FAA Petition for Exemption for Large UAS Agricultural Services

Regs.gov: Federal Aviation Administration

Detected March 25th, 2026

Summary

Ava Ag LLC has petitioned the FAA for an exemption to operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) weighing more than 55 pounds for commercial agricultural services. This petition seeks relief from various Federal Aviation Regulations related to aircraft operation, pilot certification, and agricultural aircraft operations.

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What changed

Ava Ag, LLC has filed a petition with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seeking an exemption from numerous Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to allow the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) exceeding 55 pounds for commercial agricultural services. The petition specifically requests relief from parts 61, 91, and 137 of the FARs, as well as Title 49 U.S.C. § 44807, to enable the use of larger UAS in agricultural applications.

This filing represents a request for a specific exemption and is subject to FAA review. While this is not a proposed rule, it initiates a process that could lead to future regulatory changes or precedents for the operation of heavy-lift UAS in agricultural sectors. Compliance officers should note that this petition is for a specific entity and does not immediately alter existing regulatory requirements for other operators. The FAA will review the petition and associated confidential business information and standard operating procedures.

What to do next

Monitor FAA's review of the petition for exemption.
Review attached petition documents for operational details and regulatory relief sought.

Source document (simplified)

Comment

Ava Ag, LLC wishes to Petition for Exemption under 14 C.F.R. Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 CFR parts 61.3(a)(1)(i); 91.7(a); 91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151(b); 91.403(b); 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.
409(a)(1) & (2); 91.417(a) & (b); 137.19(c) and (d); 137.19(e)(2)(ii), (iii), and (v); 137.31(a) and (b);
137.33(a) and (b); 137.41(c), and 137.42 and Title 49 U.S.C. § 44807 to Authorize Commercial Agricultural Services with a UAS weighing more than 55 pounds.

Attachments 4

CONFIDENTIALSMSAVAAG

Restricted: Confidential Business Information

CONFIDENTIALSOPAVAAG

Restricted: Confidential Business Information

PETITION_AVAAG

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PIC.STMT_AVAAG

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CFR references

14 CFR Part 11 14 CFR 61.3(a)(1)(i) 14 CFR 91.7(a) 14 CFR 91.119(c) 14 CFR 91.121 14 CFR 91.151(b) 14 CFR 91.403(b) 14 CFR 91.405(a) 14 CFR 91.407(a)(1) 14 CFR 91.409(a)(1) 14 CFR 91.409(a)(2) 14 CFR 91.417(a) 14 CFR 91.417(b) 14 CFR 137.19(c) 14 CFR 137.19(d) 14 CFR 137.19(e)(2)(ii) 14 CFR 137.19(e)(2)(iii) 14 CFR 137.19(e)(2)(v) 14 CFR 137.31(a) 14 CFR 137.31(b) 14 CFR 137.33(a) 14 CFR 137.33(b) 14 CFR 137.41(c) 14 CFR 137.42