Part 107 for agriculture and crop work
Scouting fields needs Part 107. Spraying needs Part 137 and an exemption on top. What farm and agronomy drone pilots must learn, and where Part 107 stops.
Updated
Field scouting, crop mapping and checking irrigation from a drone are Part 107 operations: the flight serves a farm business, so the recreational exception does not apply. Spraying is different. The FAA treats dispensing fertilizer or pesticides from a drone as agricultural aircraft operations under Part 137, with its own certificate and an exemption process on top of Part 107. Know which side of that line your work is on before you fly.
Which rules apply to which farm job?
| Job | Rules | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Scouting, mapping, imaging | Part 107 | Remote pilot certificate, registered drone, Remote ID |
| Spot-checking livestock or fences | Part 107 | Same as above |
| Spraying or spreading, drone under 55 lb with load | Part 107 plus Part 137 | Exemption from §107.36 and several Part 137 rules, then an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate |
| Spraying or spreading, 55 lb or more with load | Part 91 plus Part 137 | Exemptions from rules in Parts 61, 91 and 137, N-number registration, then the operator certificate |
The FAA's dispensing chemicals page lays out the application steps. The petition for exemption must be filed at least 120 days before you need it.
Why spraying runs into the hazmat rule
§107.36 says a small unmanned aircraft may not carry hazardous material, and it is not waivable. Many agricultural chemicals qualify, which is why the FAA's path for spray drones includes an exemption from it. The post on dropping and carrying objects explains how the carrying and dropping rules differ.
What does the Part 107 exam test that matters on a farm?
- Airspace near rural airports and private strips. Many farms sit under Class E or near small airports. See the sectional chart guide.
- Weather and performance. Hot, humid afternoons cut lift, which matters most with a payload. See density altitude.
- Early morning and dusk flights. The civil twilight post covers the lighting rule and when night rules begin.
- Maintenance and preflight. Dusty, wet field work wears equipment. See the maintenance rules post.
The Part 107 knowledge test does not cover Part 137. Pass Part 107 first; the agricultural certificate is a separate FAA process.
A free 20-question diagnostic scores you on all five Part 107 exam areas.
Check what you already knowFrequently asked questions
- Do I need Part 107 to fly a drone over my own farm?
- If the flight supports the farm business, such as crop scouting or mapping, it is not recreational, so Part 107 applies. Owning the land does not change that.
- Can I spray crops with a drone under Part 107?
- Not with Part 107 alone. FAA guidance says dispensing agricultural products falls under Part 137, which needs an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate. Drones under 55 pounds including the load can fly under Part 107 but also need an exemption from the hazardous material rule and several Part 137 rules.
- What happens if my spray drone weighs 55 pounds or more?
- The FAA says drones of 55 pounds or more, including the substance being dispensed, operate under Part 91 and Part 137 and need exemptions from several rules in Parts 61, 91 and 137, plus registration with an N-number.