You've heard of agricultural drones. You've seen them in action, spraying your neighbor's field. You've wondered, "Is this the future? And if so, how do I get involved?" The answers are "Yes it is!" and "Yes you can!"
Becoming an aerial applicator is a great way to earn a living while doing something awesome, flying ag drones as a custom applicator. Here's what you are going to need.
- Write up a business plan. Document all of your equipment, insurance, and operating costs. Estimate your revenue. Determine if you can be profitable. If you can't, it is better to know that now than to just jump in. If you want a complete financial outlook for a drone business, click here and we will send you one.
- Incorporate - This protects you from some or all liability. Form an LLC or an S corporation.
- Name your business
- Get an FEIN number
- Get licensed with your state
- Get your FAA Part 107 - This is an official pilot's license from the FAA for drones.
- Get your FAA Part 137 - This gives you permission to perform aerial application of chemicals.
- Get your 44807 Exemption - This is now part of the Part 137 and gives you permission to fly drones over 55 pounds.
- Get a Drone - The DJI T40 is the most popular. This is soon to be replaced by the T50 and T60. The number is the size of the tank in Liters. 40 liters is 10.5 gallons.
- Get a Mixing System - You'll need a way to mix and agitate a mixture of chemicals, keeping everything in suspension until you load it in the drone to spray it.
- Get a Spreader for the drone if you are applying dry chemicals and granuals.
- Buy a truck if you don't have one. Get something that tows at least 12,000 lbs for larger operations hauling 1000 gallons of water. F250, F350, etc...
- But a trailer. Get a flat bed or, if you like to keep dirt off your gear, go for an enclosed. Get a double decker if you are doing corn or crops that are high when treated.
- Get insurance. This one is going to hurt. Insurance is a major cost of operations. Do not skimp here. You want to be protected. You need the following:
- Crop Insurance - Chemical Liability Insurance
- Non Chemical Liability Insurance or General Insurance
- Truck and Trailer Insurance
- Workers Compensation Insurance
- Start marketing your services.
- Deliver your services. Do a good job and word will get out!
Can you make money? Yes! If you spray 7000 acres in a season and charge $15 to $20 per acre on average you can make $105k to $140k in revenue with a decent margin after equipment, licenses, insurance, taxes, etc...
