High-resolution orthomosaic maps, NDVI vegetation indexes, and prescription maps.
Aerial mapping produces high-resolution orthomosaic images stitched from hundreds of overlapping aerial photos. Operators generate NDVI vegetation index maps showing crop vigor variation, multispectral analysis for nutrient and chlorophyll content, elevation models revealing drainage patterns, and prescription maps that feed variable-rate application equipment. Mapping flights deliver data products in GeoTIFF, KML, and shapefile formats for integration with precision ag platforms.
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.
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.
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.
NY · invasive species spraying, spongy moth & spotted lanternfly
Northeast region's premier invasive species drone spraying provider, based in Herkimer, NY. Operated by Rick Jordan and Bennett Sluis. Uses NOP-certified Foray 48B for spongy moth control. Also handles herbicide, fungicide, aquatic vegetation control, cover crop seeding, and mapping. Featured on PBS. Listed on PA DCNR aerial applicator list.
NY · precision ag research, viticulture drone programs
Cornell University runs extensive drone agriculture research through its Center for Integrated Data Analytics (CIDA) and Digital Agriculture program led by Quirine Ketterings. Includes precision viticulture at the Lake Erie lab in Portland, NY, NDVI crop monitoring, and digital agriculture education across New York State.
Western NY orchards & vineyards · FAA Part 137 + NYS DEC certified
Founded 2024 by experienced drone pilots in western New York orchard and vineyard country. Fully FAA Part 137 and NYS DEC certified (Categories 1A and 11). Provides precision pesticide and fertilizer application, cover crop seeding, field scanning, mapping, and AI-driven field analysis. Based in Le Roy, NY.
A standard mapping flight produces an orthomosaic (georeferenced aerial image), NDVI vegetation index map, elevation model, and field boundary files. Advanced flights add multispectral analysis and prescription maps for variable-rate application equipment.
Drones equipped with RTK/PPK GPS achieve 1 to 3 cm horizontal accuracy and 2 to 5 cm vertical accuracy, sufficient for precision ag applications and field documentation. Standard mapping without RTK achieves 3 to 10 cm accuracy.
There are 6 operators offering aerial mapping drone services in New York: AG Drones East, CropTech Solutions, Fly The Farm Drone Services, CNY Drone Services Inc., Cornell University / CIDA, CropCare Drone Services of NY LLC.