Unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS," or more commonly,
"drones") have become a valuable agricultural
decision-making tool on the 21st Century farm. American farmers
increasingly look to the skies to improve their crops and
operations. Understanding UAS regulations that apply and a
drone's potential applications may become critical for future
farmers to stay on the cutting edge of agriculture.
FAA regulation
According to FAA interpretation, viewing a field with a UAS
to determine whether crops need water when they are grown for
personal enjoyment does not require FAA
authorization; however, viewing a field using a UAS to determine
whether crops need to be watered when they are grown as part of a
commercial farming operation does
require FAA authorization. Currently, the only viable avenue
for authorization of commercial drone use is through the FAA's
Section 333 exemption process. This process was put in place by the
FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and
