In recognition of Drone Safety Day on April 29, NAAA used its social media channels to remind drone operators to be mindful of low-altitude manned agricultural aviation operations and to always give them the right of way. The social media messages also directed readers to NAAA’s UAV safety tips news release for more information.

The FAA-backed Drone Safety Day is an annual campaign dedicated to educating the drone community of the importance of flying safely, and is the latest in a several-weeks-long series of activities NAAA has capitalized on to promote safe operations of drones around low-level manned ag aircraft.

On April 4, NAAA issued a press release cautioning hobbyist and professional drone operators not to interfere with low-altitude manned agricultural aircraft this growing season.

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 to monitor 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.