Michigan requires a MDARD-approved UAV training program as a de facto drone-specific credential, plus Core and Aerial Standard (AE) exams and a Private Aerial Business License (PABL). Rates run $14 to $22 per acre across 2.2 million acres of corn, 2.1 million acres of soybeans, and high-value tart cherry and apple orchards in western Michigan.
McFly Aerial Ag is a Chesterfield, Indiana drone application business covering Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Kentucky. The operator holds FAA Part 107 and Part 137 certification along with a Section 44807 exemption. Work includes spraying, dry spreading, cover crop seeding, mapping and crop scouting on corn, soybeans, wheat and pasture, flown with an EAVision J100 and a Talos T60X.
Falcon Ag is a drone application business based in Bannister, Michigan. The operator flies a DJI Agras T50 for spraying, dry spreading and cover crop seeding. Aerial mapping and equipment sales are also offered. Listed crop coverage includes corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, potatoes, pasture, orchards, grapes, cover crops and general row crops.
Agricultural drone service covering Indiana Michigan and Ohio. Offers spraying at $12/acre with $200 minimum. Provides precision variable rate applications.
Precision drone spraying company HQ in Blissfield MI. Partners with Exedy Drones (MI manufacturer). Operates services and sales divisions. Demonstrated at AgroExpo.
Division of Great Lakes Drone Company. First exclusively unmanned Part 137 approval in Michigan (Jan 2023). MDARD licensed across 6 categories.
60-80 customers and nearly 60000 acres sprayed. NAAA member. One of Michigan's most prominent custom applicators. Licensed and insured.
Family-owned Michigan ag drone dealer and HSE-UAV partner. Sells and supports agricultural spray/seeding and scouting drones.
One of first two commercially licensed drone applicators in Michigan (2021). Provides Part 137 consulting and drone maintenance alongside spray services.
Family-owned 4th generation farming family in Michigan Thumb area. Combines farming experience with DJI Agras T50 drone technology.
Family-owned company in Macomb MI providing agricultural drone spraying seeding and crop monitoring services.
Professional drone services in Davison MI. Led by Jason Stomps flying drones since 2017. Serves Michigan Thumb region and beyond.
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Michigan pesticide licensing is administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Applicators need Core plus AE (Aerial Standard) plus use categories, with a 70% passing score. Before receiving AE certification, operators must complete an MDARD-approved UAV training program or document 200 hours of flight experience, a de facto drone-specific credential.
A Private Aerial Business License (PABL) is required for the business entity in addition to individual certification. Operations require an in-state mix/load pad and mandatory DriftWatch sensitive crop registry participation. Reciprocal applicants from IN, MN, OH and WI must also submit drone-specific training documentation to MDARD. Renewal is every 3 years via a flight efficiency clinic or re-examination.
Michigan is part of the Corn Belt agricultural region. See rates, crops and operators across the region.
Yes. MDARD requires completion of an approved UAV training program before issuing the AE (Aerial Standard) certification. This is one of the few states with a de facto drone-specific credential requirement.
A Private Aerial Business License (PABL) is required for all aerial pesticide application businesses in Michigan, including drone operators. This is in addition to individual applicator certification.
Row crops run $14 to $18 per acre. Cherry and apple orchard work runs $18 to $22 because of canopy complexity and multiple passes. Western Michigan orchards command the highest rates.
Michigan has reciprocity with IN, MN, OH and WI, but reciprocal applicants must still submit drone-specific training documentation to MDARD.
DriftWatch is a voluntary sensitive crop registry. Michigan requires aerial applicators to check DriftWatch before spraying to identify specialty crop fields (vineyards, orchards, organic) near the application zone.
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