SkyApply petitions FAA for 55lb UAS agriculture exemption

Regs.gov: Federal Aviation Administration

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

SkyApply Solutions LLC submitted a petition to the FAA requesting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 and 14 CFR Part 11 to authorize commercial agricultural UAS operations with drones weighing 55 pounds or more. The petition requests authority for up to 3 simultaneous operations by a single pilot in command, without visual observers, during night VLOS operations in visual meteorological conditions.

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What changed

SkyApply Solutions LLC has petitioned the FAA for an exemption to conduct commercial agricultural UAS operations with aircraft weighing 55 pounds or more. The petition, filed under 49 U.S.C. § 44807 and 14 CFR Part 11, requests authorization for up to 3 simultaneous drone operations managed by a single pilot in command without visual observers, specifically for night visual line of sight operations in visual meteorological conditions.

The FAA is seeking public comments on this petition. Stakeholders in the agricultural and UAS industries should review the petition and submit relevant comments regarding the safety implications and operational necessity of these exemptions. If granted, this exemption could set precedent for expanded commercial UAS operations in agriculture under similar conditions.

What to do next

Review the petition at regulations.gov/document/FAA-2026-3699-0001
Submit public comments if you have relevant safety data or operational concerns
Monitor for FAA's response to this exemption petition

Source document (simplified)

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.