How to Get FAA Part 137 for Agricultural Drone Spraying
FAA Part 137 takes 90 to 180 days. The exact process: operations manual, 44807 petition, training records, and common mistakes that delay approval.
FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate is required for any commercial aerial pesticide application by drone. The process takes 90 to 180 days from complete submission. Drones over 55 lbs require a Section 44807 exemption filed concurrently. Consultant packages at $2,500 to $4,500 shorten the timeline by 60 to 120 days by avoiding revision cycles on the operations manual.
What Part 137 actually is
Not a pilot license — that is Part 107. Part 137 is the agricultural aircraft operator certificate that authorizes your business to apply pesticides from aircraft. Originally written for manned crop dusters, now interpreted for drones through the Section 44807 exemption pathway.
Step 1: Get Part 107 first
Part 137 application references your Part 107. Get the pilot cert before submitting anything else. Budget 2 to 4 weeks to study, take the exam, and receive the temporary certificate. Study plans and provider list live on our training and certification page.
Step 2: Draft your operations manual
This is where most applications stall. The manual must cover:
- Crew qualifications and training program
- Maintenance schedule and procedures
- Chemical handling and storage
- Emergency procedures (fly-away, chemical spill, medical)
- Recordkeeping (FIFRA compliance)
- Congested area operating procedures
Use a template from a consultant or NAAA. Do not write from scratch unless you have an aviation operations background.
Step 3: File the 44807 exemption petition (if drone exceeds 55 lbs)
Most commercial spray drones (DJI Agras T50 at 203 lbs MTOW, Hylio AG-272 at 399 lbs) exceed 55 lbs loaded. The petition describes the drone, operational limitations, and safety mitigations. It is filed as part of the Part 137 package.
Step 4: Assemble training records
Pilot qualifications (Part 107 cert, flight hours, manufacturer training cert), maintenance technician qualifications, and your annual training plan. Document everything.
Step 5: Submit to FAA
Complete package to your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Timeline starts from complete submission, not from initial contact.
Step 6: Respond to FAA questions
Typical 1 to 3 rounds of questions or revision requests. Each round adds 2 to 4 weeks. This is why consultants help — they know what the FSDO will ask and pre-address it.
Step 7: Receive certificate
90 to 180 days total. You can now legally spray for hire. Add commercial drone insurance before your first paid pass.
Common mistakes that cause delays
- Incomplete operations manual (missing emergency procedures)
- Incorrect 44807 format
- No training records
- Submitting before Part 107 is in hand
- Using a generic aviation ops manual not tailored for UAS
DIY vs consultant
DIY: $0 but 30 to 90 extra days from revision cycles. Consultant ($2,500 to $4,500): operations manual, 44807 petition, coaching through approval, template library. Pays for itself in one month of avoided downtime. Ag consulting operators in our directory include Part 137 specialists. If Part 137 is the first step of building a full business, see the full playbook at start a drone business.
See also
FAA Part 137 regulations page · FAA Part 107 pilot certificate
Authority sources
Frequently asked questions
No. You cannot perform commercial aerial pesticide application until Part 137 is approved and in hand. Spraying under Part 107 alone is a federal violation.
The 44807 exemption covers your operation, not a specific serial number, but it does reference the drone type. Adding a different model may require an amendment. Adding another unit of the same model does not.
Outright rejection is rare. More commonly, FAA requests revisions to your operations manual or additional documentation. Address the specific feedback and resubmit. Consultants experience near-100 percent eventual approval rates.