As the nation enters the upcoming growing season in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NAAA sent a press release to aviation and agricultural media outlets cautioning UAV operators to be extra mindful of low-flying manned agricultural aircraft operations.

“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared crop input services to be an essential service during the pandemic. Aerial applicators are inputting nutrients, seeds and crop protection products to crops that will become consumers’ food and fiber supply. We cannot afford even a small disruption in the nation’s food supply chain during this critical time,” said Andrew Moore, Chief Executive Officer of NAAA. “Agricultural aviators perform applications on 28% of cropland nationwide, and their work cannot be delayed because of an unidentified UAS not yielding to them, as is required by law.”

The press release recommends UAV operators:

• Equip drones with tracking technology, such as ADS-B, so other aircraft similarly equipped know of 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.
• Give the right-of-way to a manned aircraft. It’s the law.
• Land your UAV immediately when a low-flying aircraft is nearby.
• Carry UAV liability insurance.

You can read press coverage of the release in AgAir Update, Capital Press, Vertical Magazine and Small UAS News.