NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore was interviewed by the Delta Farm Press on the aerial application industry’s reaction to the FAA’s new small UAS rule. His comments were published in the Farm Press Blog, which is frequented by farmers in the mid-South.

Moore spoke with Delta Farm Press Associate Editor David Bennett about the pros and cons of the small UAS rule in the eyes of ag pilots from a safety standpoint. NAAA is happy with the fact that the final small UAS rule requires UAV operators to give the right of way to manned aircraft and that UAVs must stay below 400 feet when they fly, but Moore said that the lack of lighting or tracking equipment means that “we’re basically depending on the UAV operators to avoid ag planes.” NAAA also feels that the FAA set the bar too low in terms of the requirements to operate a commercial UAV. “You just have to be 16 years old, pass a written test and a TSA security check. The FAA requires no type of pilot license or requirements demonstrating any operational control of the UAV,” Moore said.