Changeflow GovPing Transportation Ryan Roberts UAS Agricultural Exemption Petitio...
Priority review Rule Added Final

Ryan Roberts UAS Agricultural Exemption Petition Granted

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Summary

The FAA granted Ryan Roberts a petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 authorizing commercial agricultural-related UAS operations with aircraft weighing 55 pounds or more. The exemption permits operation of up to 3 UAS simultaneously by a single pilot in command without a visual observer during night visual line of sight in visual meteorological conditions, and includes medical relief provisions for day operations. This action establishes operational parameters for heavier commercial agricultural drone operations.

What changed

The FAA granted a petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 authorizing Ryan Roberts to conduct commercial agricultural-related UAS operations with aircraft weighing 55 pounds or more. The exemption permits operation of up to three UAS simultaneously by a single pilot in command without visual observer coverage during night visual line of sight in visual meteorological conditions, and includes medical relief provisions for day operations.

Affected parties include commercial UAS operators in the agricultural sector, who may now operate heavier aircraft under expanded conditions. Operators seeking similar exemptions should review the specific conditions and limitations in the granted petition to understand compliance requirements.

What to do next

  1. Review exemption conditions for commercial agricultural UAS operations
  2. Ensure compliance with operational parameters for night VLOS flights without visual observer
  3. Verify UAS weight requirements of 55 pounds or more

Archived snapshot

Apr 9, 2026

GovPing 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 Ryan Roberts

Download

CONFIDENTIAL FAA Data Form -Ryan Roberts

Restricted: Confidential Business Information

CFR references

14 CFR Part 11

Named provisions

49 U.S.C. § 44807 Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems

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Last updated

Classification

Agency
FAA
Instrument
Rule
Legal weight
Binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Substantive
Document ID
FAA-2026-3907-0001
Docket
FAA-2026-3907-0001

Who this affects

Applies to
Transportation companies Manufacturers Technology companies
Industry sector
4811 Air Transportation
Activity scope
Drone operations Commercial UAS flight Agricultural services
Threshold
["UAS weighing 55 pounds or more", "Commercial agricultural-related services", "Up to 3 UAS simultaneously", "Single PIC operations"]
Geographic scope
United States US

Taxonomy

Primary area
Aviation
Operational domain
Compliance
Topics
Agriculture Product Safety Consumer Protection

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