Regulator
The FAA gave Texas company Hylio an exemption to fly up to three heavy spraying drones (over 55 pounds) at once with one pilot and no extra spotter.
A regulator's decision · Sets Farm spraying drones's stage
What the source says
“allows up to three drones to fly at once using just one pilot and no visual observer”
What it means
Farm spraying drones, from DJI, Hylio, XAG, is at stage 5 of 5 on our ladder: regulator-cleared or mass market. This event is one of the milestones that placed it there.
Human help: People working remotely can steer it or take over.
More on Farm spraying drones
- The American Spray Drone Coalition said US sales of new farm spray drones fell 59%, from 8,950 in 2024 to about 3,700 in 2025, blaming a customs hold on DJI shipments.
- The American Spray Drone Coalition, a distributors' group, said US sales of new farm spray drones fell 59% in 2025, to about 3,711, after US customs held DJI shipments.
- China's commerce ministry published rules requiring export licenses from November 18 for self-flying spray drones carrying over 80 liters; DroneXL noted DJI's Agras T100 sprayer has a 100-liter tank.
- DJI launched its Agras T55 and T100 spraying drones worldwide. The T55 carries 50 liters (13.2 gallons) of spray.
- DJI appealed the FCC decision in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- DJI makes roughly 80 percent of the farm spraying drones sold in the US.