ARC Drone Solutions
Multi-service drone operation in southwest Minnesota using DJI Agras T50. Built to improve accessibility of drone services for rural areas.
Working row crops grown in the region across the Corn Belt region, ARC Drone Solutions delivers drone pesticide and fungicide spraying, aerial cover crop seeding and dry granular spreading to farms in Minnesota. Commercial drone applicators in Minnesota need FAA Part 137 plus an aerial category endorsement on a state pesticide applicator license issued by Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
Operations are based in the Corn Belt region.
Services offered
Equipment used
States served (1)
Aerial pesticide licensing in states served
Every state requires a pesticide applicator license with the aerial category endorsement on top of FAA Part 137. The agencies that issue these licenses in ARC Drone Solutions's service area:
- Minnesota: requires Category B: General Aerial. Plus MnDOT aircraft registration and commercial operations license. for aerial pesticide application; the licensing authority is Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
Full agency, exam and renewal-cycle details by state are catalogued on the state pesticide licensing reference.
Verify and resources
Primary-source references for verifying credentials and looking up state-specific rules in ARC Drone Solutions's service area.
Frequently asked questions
Verifying ARC Drone Solutions runs through three independent checks: Part 107 via the FAA Airmen Inquiry, Part 137 via the issuing FAA Flight Standards office and the state aerial-category pesticide applicator license via the receiving state's department of agriculture. In Minnesota the state credential is issued by Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA); you can ask the operator for the applicator license number and verify it with the agency directly. Pair that with a current chemical-drift COI and the Section 44807 exemption number for due diligence.
Typical drone spraying rates of $12 to $22 per acre in the region is application-only. The chemical, the surfactants and the adjuvants are farmer-supplied. The rate covers calibration, RTK GPS flight planning, the labor to fly the field, mixing and loading from your product, plus the FIFRA Part 170 application record: date, time, product, EPA reg number, rate, weather, field ID. Then watch four surcharges. Travel past a stated radius. Weekend or emergency turnaround. Terrain and obstruction add-ons. A minimum-acreage floor on a small field. Confirm every one of them in writing.