FAA Part 107 and Part 137 training for agricultural drone operators.
Ag drone pilot training programs cover FAA Part 107 exam preparation, Part 137 agricultural operator certification, hands-on flight training with commercial spray drones, mission planning, equipment calibration, state pesticide applicator license requirements, and insurance and liability basics. Programs range from weekend courses for students with existing Part 107 certificates to full multi-week programs for new pilots.
American-made NDAA-compliant ag drones & operator network
Hylio designs and manufactures the AG-272, the leading NDAA-compliant agricultural spray drone in the United States, and supports a national network of certified Hylio operators. The company provides sales, training, and operator support for federal programs, defense-adjacent ag operations, and buyers requiring US-manufactured drone equipment.
HBCU drone ag research & outreach – Nashville TN
Tennessee State University's DRONEs (Drone Research, Outreach, Navigation, and Education) Program is an HBCU-based initiative delivering drone agriculture research, pilot training, and Extension outreach to Tennessee farmers, with emphasis on serving historically underserved and limited-resource producers. The program offers FAA Part 107 prep courses, precision ag workshops, and applied field research.
Land-grant drone research, training & extension – Lexington KY
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky operates a drone research and extension program focused on precision agriculture for Kentucky grain, tobacco, and forage producers. The program conducts field trials, trains producers in drone scouting and application, and partners with county Extension offices statewide.
AL franchise · precision drone spraying, sales & training nationwide
National franchise network for precision drone spraying with a confirmed Southeast franchise location in Vina, AL. Co-founded by Aaron Duval and Jeff Bickley. Named Top Precision Farming Solutions Provider 2023 by AgriBusiness Review. Sells DJI Agras T50, T100, XAG P100 Pro, and Talos T60X plus drone trailers. Provides Part 107/137 regulatory support.
You need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, an FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate, and your state's pesticide applicator license with an aerial endorsement. Training programs prepare you for all three requirements.
Part 107 exam preparation takes 2 to 4 weeks of self-study. The Part 137 process takes 30 to 90 days after application. State pesticide applicator exam schedules vary. Most training programs cover all requirements in one 3 to 5 day course.
There are 4 operators offering pilot training drone services in Kentucky: Hylio, Tennessee State University DRONEs Program, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, AcuSpray (Vina, AL).