With over 1 million UAVs registered with the FAA, NAAA has
reached out to local and national agricultural and aviation outlets reminding
UAV users to be mindful of low-flying ag aircraft as we approach the busy 2019
growing season.
The press
release reminded UAV users agricultural aviators fly as low as 10 feet off
the ground, meaning they share airspace with UAVs that are limited to flying no
more than 400 feet above ground level. For this reason, the NAAA asked UAV
operators to do everything they can to avoid ag aircraft doing important
low-level work.
NAAA recommends that UAV operators:
- Equip drones with tracking technology, such as
ADS-B, so other similarly equipped aircraft can ascertain their positions.
- Get certified and well-trained in operating a
UAV.
- Contact local agricultural aviation operations
before flying by consulting AgAviation.org/findapplicator.
- Equip UAVs with visible strobe lights.
- Always give the right-of-way to a manned
aircraft. It’s the law.
- Land your UAV immediately when a low-altitude
manned aircraft is nearby.
- Carry UAV liability insurance.
The so far, the press release has been featured on AgAir
Update, Commercial
Drone Professional, DroneBelow.com,sUAS
News, UAV
Expert News, UAS
Magazine and Vertical
Magazine.
This is the third year NAAA has
reached out to the press regarding safe UAV operations. Past coverage has
included Farm Journal’s Ag Pro,
as well as RFD-TV and radio. RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour
television network focused on agribusiness reaching more than 50 million homes
on DISH Network, DIRECTV, Comcast, and many other rural cable systems. RFD-TV
radio is also widely circulated throughout the U.S. on channel 147 of SiriusXM.