Agricultural drone spraying: frequently asked questions

No. Rule 101.15(c) says the operator "must not carry out aerial spraying, aerial topdressing or application of aerial vertebrate toxic agent", and the CAA's advisory circular says a Part 102 operator certificate is required for these operations.[1][2]

Yes. The ban on spraying under Part 101 doesn't depend on weight, so any agricultural application needs a Part 102 operator certificate.[1][2] In practice, most spray drones weigh well over 25 kg anyway. A DJI Agras T50 is 52 kg with its battery before any payload.[3]

An Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate, issued under Part 102. It's an operational approval for an organisation or sole trader, not a pilot qualification. It's based on your exposition (operating manual) and lasts up to five years.[4][5]

No. You can fly for an organisation that holds a current Part 102 operator certificate approved for agricultural operations, once you're formally inducted under its exposition. You still need the pilot qualifications.[4]

Part 137 is the agricultural aircraft operations rule for crewed aircraft. A Part 102 operator certificate holder doesn't have to comply with Part 137 (or Part 61) unless its exposition says so.[5][6]

The CAA accepts three things as evidence of training: a drone pilot qualification from a Part 141 training organisation to the Part 102 standard, a Pilot Chemical Rating, and a UA Agricultural Rating for each discipline you fly (spraying, topdressing or toxic baits).[4]

Five years.[4] DroneTrust's course must then be completed again to renew.[7]

No. Growsafe doesn't offer aerial certificates for individuals. It recommends its Standard certificate for ground crew who mix and load.[8] The CAA's guidance says pilots must hold a Pilot Chemical Rating and a UA Agricultural Rating.[4]

The CAA's guidance requires an annual Agricultural Operational Competency Assessment through a Part 141 organisation, and the Pilot Chemical Rating has to be renewed every five years.[4]

Yes. The CAA's guidance says holders of a Part 61 agricultural rating (Grade 1 or 2) need a drone pilot qualification, a current Pilot Chemical Rating, and the UA Agricultural Rating flight test.[4]

It depends on your regional plan. Spraying is usually a permitted activity if you meet the plan's conditions (such as drift, notification and qualifications), and needs consent if you don't. In Waikato, for example, failing the conditions makes it a controlled or discretionary activity.[9][10]

Usually. Regional plans include notification rules, for example Waikato, Auckland and Hawke's Bay. Waikato's plan requires aircraft operators to notify adjoining owners or occupiers between 12 hours and three weeks before spraying, or give public notice.[9][11][12]

The EPA's hazardous property controls require application records to be kept for three years, including GNSS dispensing files for aircraft.[13] Some councils also require GPS records, such as Auckland's Unitary Plan.[11]

NZS 8409:2021 is the New Zealand Standard for managing agrichemicals.[14] Regional plans often make following it a condition of permitted spraying. Growsafe certificate holders can read it free online.[15]

Not to carry agrichemicals for immediate dispersal during an agricultural operation. You do need one to carry them by air for later use, or to carry spare batteries or fuel as cargo.[16]

DroneTrust's full Ag Pilot Pathway is $13,424 excluding GST: exposition writing $3,500, Part 102 Drone Pilot Certificate $1,295, Chemical Rating $4,000, OCA $629 and Agricultural Rating $4,000, plus examiner travel.[17] CAA certification charges are extra.

The CAA charges $312.40 an hour including GST. A first Part 102 application needs 2 hours ($624.80) paid up front, and further time is charged as it's used.[18][19]

The CAA doesn't publish a fixed processing time for Part 102 operator certificates.[16] It's expected to take 8 to 10 months from submission to grant, and 10 to 12 months for the whole pathway.[20][17]

Airex is a guide by the DroneTrust team. We recommend DroneTrust's courses, and we link every rule to the agency that publishes it. More about Airex.