Training programs for FAA Part 107, Part 137 exemption prep, state pesticide applicator prep and manufacturer-specific drone operator certification.
Ag Drone Pilot Training drone services in South Dakota are not yet listed by an operator in this directory; the page below covers what to look for and how the service works in South Dakota. Typical pricing for ag drone pilot training runs $500 to $4500/acre (per course). South Dakota sits in the Great Plains region, which shapes the calendar, weather and competitive pressure local operators plan around. Commercial drone applications in South Dakota require Category 17: Aerial Application (General + Category G + Category 17) from South Dakota DANR on top of FAA Part 137 certification.
Ag Drone Pilot Training — quick facts
Ag drone pilot training courses cost $500 to $900 for basic manufacturer operator certification (DJI T50, Hylio AG-272), $2,500 to $4,500 for full FAA Part 137 exemption prep packages and $75 to $300 per state pesticide applicator license category. Third-party trainers include Rantizo, Precision Aerial Solutions and Drone Pilot Ground School, plus manufacturer academies and state extension universities. Total investment for a new commercial ag drone operator typically runs $3,500 to $6,000 across all three certification tracks.
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How ag drone pilot training works
Ag drone pilot training covers the three certifications a commercial ag drone operator needs: FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, FAA Part 137 agricultural aircraft operator certificate prep (including the 44807 exemption path for drones over 55 lbs) and state commercial pesticide applicator licensing with aerial category endorsement. Training providers include manufacturer academies (DJI Agras, Hylio Academy, XAG Training Center), third-party specialists (Rantizo, Precision Aerial Solutions, Drone Pilot Ground School) and state extension universities (Purdue, Iowa State, University of Nebraska, Mississippi State). Typical programs range from a two-day DJI T50 operator certification at $500 to $900 to a full Part 137 exemption bundle at $2,500 to $4,500 that includes FAA paperwork support, operations manual templates and one on one coaching through the 120-day exemption approval process. State pesticide applicator prep courses are typically offered through state land-grant universities for $75 to $300 per category, with aerial category adding $25 to $100.
Typical rate: $500 to $4500/acre(per course)
Aerial pesticide licensing in South Dakota
South Dakota requires Category 17: Aerial Application (General + Category G + Category 17) for aerial pesticide application. The licensing authority is South Dakota DANR.
Great Plains Drone Co. operates an NDAA-compliant fleet of Hylio AG-272 drones across Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas. We serve large-scale grain producers with corn and wheat fungicide applications, and offer fall cover crop seeding programs across the northern Plains. Minimum booking: 40 acres. No travel charge within 100 miles.
Pro Ag Solutions was founded in 2021 by Cory Palm. Cory has an Associates Degree in Ag Aviation, then worked as an Agronomist for 20 years before stepping back into aerial application using drones. Starting with just a trailer and a DJI T30, Pro Ag Solutions has grown into a full fleet of drones and support vehicles. Licensed in ND, MN, SD. Services include row crop spraying, pasture spraying, CRP, aquatic and right-of-way spraying, multispectral imaging and mapping, soil sampling, cover crop spreading, seed spreading and fertilizer spreading. Team of 6 Part 107 pilots and 4 ground operations personnel.
Verified OperatorFAA Part 137 ✓
Drone SprayingFertilizer ApplicationCover Crop Seeding+3 more
Specializes in custom-built spray drone trailers and precision aerial application. One of the first companies in the region to bring precision drone spraying to agriculture.
Started with three DJI Agras T30 drones in December 2021. Offers equipment sales setup consulting and compliance assistance. Sprayed tens of thousands of acres.
South Dakota does not yet have an operator in our directory listing ag drone pilot training as a service. Many regional and national operators cover multiple states, so contact operators in neighbouring states or list your business free if you provide ag drone pilot training in South Dakota.
Commercial ag drone pilot training in South Dakota requires three credentials: an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for the pilot, an FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate for the business, and Category 17: Aerial Application (General + Category G + Category 17) from South Dakota DANR. Confirm any operator you hire holds all three before any application.
Most South Dakota operators book 4 to 6 weeks ahead of peak windows; pricing confirmation is contract-bound and operator-specific. For one-off jobs during peak demand spikes, supply tightens fast — establishing the operator relationship in the off-season pays off.
Three certifications: FAA Part 107 (remote pilot), FAA Part 137 (agricultural aircraft operator certificate) and a state commercial pesticide applicator license with aerial category endorsement. Drones over 55 lbs also require a Section 44807 exemption from FAA, which is part of the Part 137 application package for most operators.
Part 107 runs about 2 to 4 weeks of study plus the proctored exam. State pesticide applicator licensing runs 1 to 3 months depending on state testing schedules. Part 137 plus the 44807 exemption runs 90 to 180 days from FAA submission to approval. Most new operators plan for a 6 to 9 month full certification timeline before taking commercial customers.
No FAA or state rule requires it, but DJI dealers typically require proof of either manufacturer training or equivalent experience before selling the T50. The 2-day DJI Agras operator certification runs $500 to $900 and covers safe operation, maintenance, software setup and field workflow. Hylio and XAG have parallel manufacturer academies.
Partially, yes. USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grants, Veterans Farmer Coalition scholarships and state beginning farmer programs all include ag drone training in their eligible expense categories. Applications are competitive and program availability varies by state and year.
Third-party trainers (Rantizo, Precision Aerial Solutions) focus on commercial business setup, FAA paperwork support and operations manual templates. State extension courses (Purdue, Iowa State, University of Nebraska) focus on pesticide safety, IPM and state regulatory compliance. Most operators end up taking both because they cover different certification tracks with minimal overlap.
