NAAA CEO Andrew Moore discussed the association’s safety recommendations for drone operators operating within the vicinity of low-altitude manned ag aircraft on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report on Monday. He spoke with anchor Tammi Arender by phone from NAAA’s headquarters in Virginia. During the live phone interview, Moore was asked how common encounters between manned ag aircraft and drones are and how important agricultural aviators are to farmers. He also emphasized some of NAAA’s key recommendations to unmanned aircraft operators. Watch the full 2 ½-minute segment below.

To ensure the safety of low-altitude manned aircraft, NAAA recommends that unmanned aircraft operators:

• Give the right of way to a manned aircraft. It’s the law.
• Equip drones with visible strobe lights, highly visible markings and tracking technology, like an ADS-B In system so you will know ADS-B Out-equipped manned aircraft positions.
• Get certified and well-trained in operating an unmanned aircraft.
• Contact local agricultural aviation operations before flying by consulting AgAviation.org/findapplicator.
  
• Land your unmanned aircraft immediately when a low-flying aircraft is nearby.
• Carry unmanned aircraft liability insurance.