Syracuse, New York has 2 verified agricultural drone operators listed in the directory, serving farms across the surrounding area. Together they list orchards and grapes / vineyards as the primary crops treated by drone, with additional coverage across other regional commodities. New York drone application rates run $16 to $28/acre depending on field size, crop and application timing, in line with 2026 statewide benchmarks. Available services in Syracuse include drone spraying, equipment sales, pilot training and equipment rental, giving growers a full menu beyond pesticide application. Every operator working over New York fields must hold FAA Part 107 plus Category 11: Aerial Application from New York State DEC, and many also carry FAA Part 137 for commercial agricultural aircraft operations. Contact the operators below directly for season availability, exact per-acre pricing and to confirm license and insurance status before booking.
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.
First DJI Agriculture distributor in the Northeast · Syracuse, NY
First DJI Agriculture Distributor in the Northeast, originally founded as Empire Drone in Fulton, NY (2018) by Sean Falconer and John McGraw. Acquired by Volatus Aerospace in November 2022 for approx. $650K. Sells, trains, maintains and leases DJI Agras T16, T40, T50 plus Autel, Draganfly and Wingtra platforms. Showcased at 2025 NY Farm Show.
| Crop | Operators | Rate ($/acre) | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orchards | 1 | $20 to $35 | Mar to Aug |
| Grapes / Vineyards | 1 | $18 to $30 | Mar to Sep |
Rate ranges from national crop benchmarks. New York statewide range: $16 to $28/acre. Estimate your job →
Commercial agricultural drone application in New York requires the federal FAA Part 137 certificate plus Category 11: Aerial Application from New York State DEC. Read the federal rules in the FAA Part 137 guide and the state-by-state breakdown on state pesticide licensing.
Primary-source references for verifying ag drone operator credentials in New York and federally.
Use the spray cost calculator to model Syracuse jobs against the $16 to $28/acre state range. Pin down acres, target crop (most Syracuse jobs are orchards), and whether you need application only or chemical-included pricing.
Confirm the operator holds FAA Part 107, FAA Part 137 and Category 11: Aerial Application. 1 of 2 Syracuse operators in this directory list Part 137. Ask for a copy of their certificate and state license number before signing.
Orchards treatment in New York typically lands in the Mar to Aug window. Demand spikes in peak season, so contact 2 to 3 of the Syracuse operators below 4 to 6 weeks ahead with field maps, target product and a preferred date range. Confirm insurance certificates name your farm as additional insured before the first flight.
Drone spraying in Syracuse typically runs $16 to $28/acre, in line with the broader New York 2026 benchmark. Application-only rates exclude chemical, and quotes vary based on field size, terrain and crop. Orchards jobs in New York sit toward the lower end of that range when fields are large and contiguous. Use the spray cost calculator to model your specific acreage before requesting quotes.
2 verified agricultural drone operators are listed in the directory for Syracuse, New York: Dropcopter, Volatus. All listings are reviewed for licensing claims and contact information before publication.
Of the 2 Syracuse operators listed, 1 hold FAA Part 107 (Remote Pilot Certificate) and 1 hold FAA Part 137 (Agricultural Aircraft Operator), which is the federal credential required for commercial agricultural application. 0 list NDAA Section 848 compliant equipment. On the state side, New York requires Category 11: Aerial Application from New York State DEC for any commercial drone pesticide application.