FAA Grants UAS Agricultural Exemption, 55lb Limit, Night VLOS
Summary
FAA granted petition by Natural Resource Services for exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 and 14 CFR Part 11 to authorize commercial UAS agricultural operations weighing 55 lbs or more. The exemption allows up to 3 simultaneous UAS per single Pilot in Command without Visual Observer during night Visual Line of Sight operations in Visual Meteorological Conditions.
What changed
FAA granted petition under Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems (49 U.S.C. § 44807) authorizing commercial agricultural-related services with UAS weighing 55 pounds or more. The exemption permits up to 3 simultaneous operations by a single Pilot in Command without Visual Observer, including night Visual Line of Sight operations in Visual Meteorological Conditions and medical relief for day operations.
Affected parties including UAS operators, agricultural service providers, and aviation stakeholders should monitor this docket for public comment opportunities. This exemption represents a significant expansion of permitted commercial UAS operations beyond standard 55lb weight limitations and enables nighttime agricultural UAS missions previously prohibited.
What to do next
- Monitor FAA regulations.gov docket FAA-2026-3938 for public comments
- Review 49 U.S.C. § 44807 exemption requirements for compliance
- Assess operational implications for commercial UAS agricultural services
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 Natural Resource Services
CONFIDENTIAL FAA Data Form - Natural Resource Services
Restricted: Confidential Business Information
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