Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or Drones)

Aditya Singh and James Fletcher

James Fletcher and Aditya Singh

Aditya Singh and James Fletcher

Wenhao Liu andYiannis Ampatzidis

This publication explores the multifaceted applications of spraying drones in agriculture, emphasizing their advantages over traditional methods in terms of precision, efficiency, and sustainability. It examines their role in delivering pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), fertilizers and nutrients, irrigation, seeding, biological control, pollination, and aquaculture feeding. Written by Wenhao Liu and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, October 2025.

Wenhao Liu and Yiannis Ampatzidis

This article aims to present and discuss regulatory requirements for UAS for agricultural spraying applications to students, research scientists, Extension agents, growers and allied industry, consulting companies, and state agency personnel. It explores the FAA regulations and presents the application procedure to receive a license to operate spraying drones. Written by Wenhao Liu and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2025.

J. S. Glueckert, A. E. Riner, James Leary, James Leary, K. L. Gladding, andEli C. Russell

This publication aims to describe a simple method of importing and displaying geotagged images from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or smartphones as vector symbols that are scaled and oriented to co-register with base layer maps in a geographic information system (GIS) without the need for processing into an orthomosaic. Instructions in this publication are for QGIS, version 3.28 LTR, but can be easily transferable to other GIS software. These methods offer an efficient and effective way to view high-resolution aerial images and photo-point image surveys in a GIS environment, allowing for basic analysis such as annotating features or points of interest. Written by J. S. Glueckert, A. E. Riner, J. K. Leary, K. L. Gladding, and E. C. Russell, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, February 2026.

Jesse Chintanadilok, Sahaj Patel, Yilin Zhuang, and Aditya Singh

All UASs need periodic maintenance and repair. These changes have raised questions among Extension agents regarding which UASs to purchase and use, and how these changes affect their operations going forward. Free and open-source (FOSS) options may be a very useful alternative to commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) UASs. Written by Jesse Chintanadilok, Sahaj Patel, Yilin Zhuang, and Aditya Singh, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2022.

Sahaj Patel, Jesse Chintanadilok, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Yilin Zhuang, Joseph Strickland, and Aditya Singh

This publication aims to help UAS operators become familiar with advanced data processing tools integrated into the WebODM FOSS. The central aim of this publication is to underscore the process and sequence involved in producing data and outcomes by acquainting users with the fundamental features of WebODM. Written by Sahaj Patel, Jesse Chintanadilok, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Yilin Zhuang, Joseph Strickland, and Aditya Singh, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2024.

Todd H. Bates, Alexander Nunez, Sergio Gonzalez, andHartwig H. Hochmair

Technological advances, better affordability, and improved efficiency have led to more and wider use of drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in many industries. UAVs have uses in forestry, natural resource management, and agriculture, including mapping terrain and soil erosion, forest planning and management, hurricane recovery, wildfire and flooding damage assessment, crop spraying and pollinating, farm and ranch security, livestock monitoring, and infrastructure inspection, to name a few. To reduce risk and preserve privacy, UAV technology is subject to various laws and regulations worldwide. This publication provides an overview of federal and state UAV regulations in the United States that define pilot qualifications, operational guidelines, equipment requirements, airspace restrictions, and safety protocols, fostering a standardized approach to UAV operations. The publication also discusses specific guidelines for UAV operations at the University of Florida.

Serap Gorucu andYiannis Ampatzidis

This publication presents drone-related injury statistics and safety recommendations to prevent drone-related injuries. Written by Serap Gorucu and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2021.

Liyike Ji, Xu Wang, andWael Elwakil

Florida governmental agencies must utilize drones only from approved manufacturers meeting the appropriate risk assessment requirements. This report provides a brief review of Florida’s UAS regulations and presents compliant drone equipment, focusing on imaging and mapping applications. It aims to assist agricultural professionals in selecting a UAV that best meets their operational needs. Written by Liyike Ji, Xu Wang, and Wael Elwakil, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, November 2025.