New York requires Category 11 (Aerial Application) with the highest exam fees in the Northeast: $100 per exam and $450 for 3-year first category certification. Rates run $16 to $28 per acre across 35K acres of Finger Lakes wine grapes, 40K acres of apples (#2 nationally) and 1 million acres of corn.
FAA Part 137 operators in New York
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19 verified operators serve New York. Tell us your ZIP and crop. We will text you up to 3 matches within 24 hours.
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$16 to $28/acre per acre typical.
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World's first drone pollination service · 25 to 50% yield increase
World's first commercial drone pollination service, founded 2017 in Syracuse, NY by Adam Fine and Matt Koball. Custom hexacopter fleet of 6 drones covers 40 acres/hour. Third-party studies show 25 to 50% yield increase. Won $500K Grow-NY prize and $250K GENIUS NY investment. First commercial apple pollination at Beak and Skiff orchard.
National · DJI Agras distributor explicitly serving NE states
Division of Rozell Sprayer Manufacturing with 40+ years in the sprayer industry based in Tyler, TX. Distributes the full DJI Agras line explicitly to multiple Northeast states including NJ, NY, DE, RI, ME, VT, MA and MD. Provides sales, technical support and training.
National · farmer-founded ag drone dealer since 2015
One of the earliest US agricultural drone dealers, founded 2015 by a group of farmers. Sells DJI Agras T50, T100 and Talos T60X plus sprayer trailer solutions. Provides training at IN/IL facilities. CropTech Solutions (Waterford, PA) is an authorized FlyingAg dealer. Contact: corey@flyingag.com.
National · DJI Certified Service Center, 50K+ acres sprayed, NE state pages
DJI Certified Service Center and authorized dealer based in Dundee, OH, run by Mike. Has sprayed 50K+ acres. Maintains state-specific pages for most NE states: NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, CT, WV, NH and MA. Designed the nuWay Ag Drone Trailer. Sells DJI Agras T100, T50, T40, T25, FlyCart 100 and Mavic 3M.
National network · largest spray drone operator network in US, 30+ states
Largest spray drone operator network in the US covering 30+ states, based in Iowa City, IA and led by CEO Mariah Scott. AcreConnect platform (map.acreconnect.io) connects farmers with local operators. Stone Valley Drones (PA) is a network member. Sells DJI Agras T10, T30, T40 and XAG P100 Pro. Holds FAA Exemption 18929B.
Northeast · only identified XAG authorized dealer in the region
The only identified XAG authorized dealer serving the Northeast US. Also sells DJI drones and the Ceres Air platform. Offers precision aerial application, multispectral mapping, agricultural education, training, repairs and drone sales. Partners with Virginia Ag Drones. Offers John Deere Financing.
Verified OperatorXAG Certified
Equipment SalesPilot TrainingDrone Spraying+1 more
National · largest US ag spray drone distributor, 21K YouTube subscribers
Self-described largest agricultural spray drone distributor in the US, founded 2019 in Boonville, MO by Taylor Moreland and Kit Carlson. Distributes EAVision J70, J150 and RoadRunner 350. Maintains dealer locator and custom applicator maps. Hi-Aloft (PA) is an affiliate dealer. 21K YouTube subscribers.
NW PA operator & FlyingAg dealer · 45 acres/hr fungicide
Waterford, PA drone spraying service and authorized FlyingAg dealer run by Randy Biebel. Operates DJI Agras T40. Covers crop spraying (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides) at up to 45 acres/hour, seeding, right-of-way management, invasive species treatment and multispectral mapping. Serves PA and surrounding states.
Verified OperatorFAA Part 107 ✓
Drone SprayingCover Crop SeedingAerial Mapping+1 more
Finger Lakes NY · family-owned, NYS DEC certified pesticide applicator
Family-owned drone services business founded 2024 in Canandaigua, NY (Finger Lakes region) by Christian Smith, Don Burkard and Hana Smith. Jay Franklin serves as NYS DEC certified pesticide applicator (Category 11) with 12+ years experience. Christian Smith is a mechanical engineer. Covers NY statewide.
Verified OperatorFAA Part 137 ✓FAA Part 107 ✓
Drone SprayingCover Crop SeedingAerial Mapping+1 more
Western NY · ISA arborist + FAA/NYS DEC drone pesticide applicator
ISA Certified Arborist firm in Clarence, NY fully licensed by FAA and NYS DEC for drone pesticide application. Operates a 5+ ft wingspan spray drone covering 27.5 acres/hour. Handles vegetation management, invasive species control and agricultural spraying in areas inaccessible to ground equipment. Offices in Clarence and Rochester, NY.
Core + Category 11 + 1 site/pest category (3 exams). $100/exam. Certification $450/3yr first category, $150 each additional.
Renewal & CE
3-year cycle
6 credits per 3-year cycle for Category 11. Other categories vary.
New York aerial pesticide licensing is administered by the NY State DEC under Category 11 (Aerial Application). New York has among the highest fees in the Northeast: $100 per exam and $450 for the first 3-year category certification, with $150 for each additional category. A minimum of 3 exams is required: Core, Category 11 and at least one site or pest-use category. Budget $700 to $1,000 for initial licensing.
The 3-year renewal cycle requires 6 CE credits for Category 11. Reciprocity exists with NJ, CT, PA and VT. Finger Lakes wine grapes (35K acres) and Hudson Valley apple orchards provide high-value specialty crop demand alongside 1 million acres of row crops in western NY.
New York-specific rules operators must know
•Among the highest exam and certification fees nationally ($100/exam, $450 first category).
Drone spraying in New York, frequently asked questions
Corn and soybeans $16 to $20 per acre. Apple orchards in the Hudson Valley $22 to $28. Wine grapes in the Finger Lakes $20 to $26. Higher than the Midwest due to smaller fields and fewer operators.
$100 per exam and $450 for the first 3-year category certification are among the highest nationally. Each additional category adds $150. Budget $700 to $1,000 for initial New York licensing.
Yes. Hillside vineyard blocks with steep grades make airblast impractical. Finger Lakes vineyards run 8 to 10 fungicide passes per season for downy and powdery mildew. Growing drone adoption.
Yes, with NJ, CT, PA and VT. Contact DEC for specific procedures.
Long Island (North Fork and Hamptons AVAs) adds about 3K acres of vineyards. Proximity to residential areas makes drones preferred over airblast for drift control. Premium rates reflect the market.
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