FAA Grants Blue Sky Aerial LLC UAS Exemption for Agricultural Services

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted an exemption to Blue Sky Aerial LLC, allowing them to conduct Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations for commercial agricultural-related services. The exemption, processed under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, specifically permits operations with UAS weighing 55 pounds or more. It also includes provisions for daytime autonomous operations without an FAA-issued airman medical certificate and allows for increased flight speeds up to the highest recent limit.

This exemption provides a pathway for agricultural firms to utilize advanced UAS technology for their services. While this is an individual exemption, it signals the FAA's continued willingness to grant waivers for specific UAS operations that meet safety requirements. Regulated entities seeking similar operational flexibility should review the application process and requirements for exemptions under the cited authorities. No specific compliance deadline is mentioned as this is an individual grant, but entities should ensure their operations align with the terms of any applicable exemptions.