FAA Exemption Petition: 55lb Agricultural UAS Operations Without Visual Observers at Night
Summary
The Suisun Resource Conservation District filed a petition with the FAA seeking an exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 and 14 C.F.R. Part 11 to conduct commercial agricultural UAS operations with drones weighing 55 pounds or more. The petition requests authorization for up to 3 simultaneous drones operated by a single pilot in command without visual observers, during night visual line of sight operations in visual meteorological conditions, and medical relief for day operations.
What changed
The petition seeks exemption from standard UAS operational limitations to authorize commercial agricultural services using drones weighing 55 pounds or more. The requested authorization includes operations of up to 3 simultaneous drones under single pilot command, elimination of visual observer requirements, and night operations within visual meteorological conditions.
If granted, this exemption would establish operational parameters for the petitioner's commercial agricultural UAS services, potentially serving as precedent for similar agricultural drone operations. Affected parties include agricultural service providers, UAS operators, and conservation districts seeking to deploy heavy-lift agricultural drones commercially.
What to do next
- Monitor FAA for approval or denial of exemption petition
- Prepare compliance documentation if exemption is granted
- Review operational requirements specified in the exemption request
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Apr 9, 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 Suisun Resource Conservation District
CONFIDENTIAL FAA Data Form - Suisun Resource Conservation District
Restricted: Confidential Business Information
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