FAA Seeks Comments on UAS Exemption for Agricultural Services

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is soliciting public comments on a petition for exemption that would allow agricultural firms to conduct commercial agricultural-related services using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) weighing 55 pounds or more. This petition, identified under docket number FAA-2023-0568, also seeks authorization for daytime autonomous operations without an FAA-issued airman medical certificate and an increased UAS speed limit to 50 mph. This represents a potential expansion of current UAS operational allowances for the agricultural sector.

Agricultural service providers and other interested parties are encouraged to submit comments to inform the FAA's decision-making process regarding this exemption. While no specific compliance deadline is provided, the comment period is open, and the outcome could lead to new operational parameters for UAS in agriculture. Failure to comply with future regulations or conditions imposed by the exemption could result in enforcement actions by the FAA.