Iowa City-based Rantizo, a provider of agricultural spray drone services, has received approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration for advanced drone operations. The approvals include allowing Rantizo service hub operators to swarm up to three drones over 55 pounds and fly at night without a visual observer. Flying without a visual observer and multiple drones at once can significantly boost productivity, allowing operators to cover more acres with greater flexibility. Night operations allow operators the flexibility to spray during the most favorable weather conditions for flying and crop coverage, while reducing exposure for pollinators and interruptions for farm workers. To mitigate the risks of advanced drone operation, Rantizo is training all operators before adopting the practices, according to a news release. “This is a giant step in the right direction for drone applicators,” Kevin McDonald, Rantizo’s chief pilot, said in a prepared statement. “The FAA is really working hard to make more options available for drone operators and this approval shows that drones will continue to unlock new options for precision application technology.”
