Frequently Asked Questions

The capacity of the drones available vary between model and brand.

• DJI T40 and DJI T50: 10 gal
• EAVision J100: 12 gal

While you can get a look at your field with the live camera feed from the spray drone, there are much cheaper, smaller, and more convenient drones that are better suited for scouting.

The number of acres you can cover per hour varies dependent on the drone model.

• DJI T40: Up to 40 acres an hour
• DJI T50: Up to 50 acres an hour
• EAVision J100: Up to 60 acres an hour

All acreage numbers are based off of optimal conditions. Several factors, such as operator experience, field size and shape, flight speed, obstacles, refill time and location, may reduce efficiency.

Yes, our custom application is provided through The Equity. The Equity is a partner of Green Creek Drones and they provide the agronomic expertise to ensure a successful application. If you are interested in custom application please contact your nearest Equity location directly.

www.theequity.com

Your drone setup will require a way to recharge batteries quickly while in the field, a refill system for your drone’s spray tank or spreader hopper, and safety equipment for your operations team. There is not an ‘ideal setup’.

Consult the manufacturer’s label of any products you will be spraying and ensure you have the recommended PPE for operator safety. You will need plenty of fresh water and soap for washing hands as well as keeping your drone/workstation clean after any accidental spills. You will also need a way to keep your operator as well as recharging batteries and remote controller in the shade, as operations often take place during the hottest days of the year. You might also want to consider a fan or air conditioner for your operator if your setup allows. Finally, many generators are very loud, and ear protection may be required.

Some prefer a large flatbed truck or trailer to land the drones on directly.   This saves the operator from climbing up and down from a vehicle to refill the drone and change batteries.   This also reduces dust and debris stirred up from the propwash during takeoff and landing. You will need plenty of open space to land safely on your trailer. Green Creek Drones uses an 8×16 ft landing zone on our setups.

Some prefer an enclosed trailer so that the entire setup can easily be stowed and locked up when not in use. We can discuss your specific needs and help you decide what setup will be best for you.

Many operators prefer to purchase their own large generator and use the external standalone battery charger for fast recharging. You will need at least a 12kw running watt generator. There is a WIDE variance in quality and pricing in portable generators, but generally speaking, you get what you pay for. We can discuss options with you to help you find the generator that fits your needs the best.

DJI also offers a dedicated charger/generator combo for the T40. It its advantage is that it is compact and offers very fast charging. The drawback is that it does not have value for any applications other than operating your spray drone. (Not capable of providing backup power during an outage)

Depending on your goals and situation you might want have the capability mix up custom batches at the field, or you might only need to mix up one large batch before heading to the field. You will need a way to pump liquid into your spray tank, ideally in no more than 30-40 seconds to allow for efficient operation. With liquid you will want to ensure you have a way to agitate a large batch throughout the day, as the spray solution for a drone is generally at a much higher concentration than with traditional sprayers.

Refilling the spreader hopper can be done with individual bags or buckets, or a conveyor system. The challenge with a conveyor system is having a large safe landing area that can still be reached with your conveyor.

Generally speaking, it is very easy to operate a spray drone. With a well thought out mission plan, the drone flies itself for most of the mission. We do recommend the operator to spend time getting very familiar with manual flight of the drone so they can react quickly should an emergency arise. Most people feel very comfortable with manual flight after 1 or 2 hours of practice.

Fields can be easily and quickly mapped directly on the drone’s remote control by dropping boundary points on the map. Boundary points can also be set by using the internal GPS of the remote control or using the drone’s onboard GPS as you fly. Each method of mapping carries pros and cons. The Green Creek Drones team is here to help you understand your options before your flight.

Shapefile boundaries are accepted by the remote, but depending on how your boundaries were generated, imported boundaries may not be the best option for your drone as they may not account for overhanging tree limbs, powerlines or other obstructions.

Battery life varies greatly depending on amount of weight being carried, and how far it must be carried. In general the battery lasts long enough for one tank load, but not long enough for 2. If you have a very small fields with lots of turning around, your battery might not last long enough to empty a full tank. If you are trying to fly a long distance to your spray area you also might not be able to carry and spray out a full load before you need to change batteries. Under normal conditions there is plenty of battery life to empty a full load and return to the refill location safely with at least 30% battery life remaining.

Depending on how depleted your batteries are, and your generator setup, you can recharge batteries as quickly as you can deplete them. Rapid charge times range from 7-9 minutes, which is also about the same amount of time it takes to spray out and refill your tank.

In order to get the most out of your drone sprayer, you need to minimize the distance between the area your drone is spraying, and your reloading/refilling location. Ideally you want this distance to be less than a couple hundred feet and for sure less than ¼ mile. You also want to minimize refill and battery swap time. Keeping this to 1 minute or less is a realistic goal. Not only will this make you more efficient but it will also reduce wear on your drone as flying with a full payload makes the motors and batteries work much harder. Getting rid of your payload as quickly as possible is very important!

One of the best things about these drone sprayers is their lack of moving parts. No lubrication points, no oil or filters to change. Keeping your drone, especially the spray system clean when not in use, is the biggest maintenance item. Properly caring for your batteries is also important to ensure service for years to come. Storing them in a dry temperature-controlled area when not in use and periodically cycling them is all that is required for battery maintenance.

At Green Creek Drones, we offer a comprehensive Maintenance Inspection where our team of DJI trained technicians look over the entire drone to DJI’s specifications. Click here to learn more about our Maintenance Inspection.

Green Creek Drones offers a full parts inventory, as well as DJI trained repair technicians located in Effingham, IL. We work hard to minimize costly downtime for your operation.

See the list below of required licenses and certifications needed to operate a spray drone in the United States.

• FAA Remote Pilot certificate (107 Drone Pilot license)
• 2nd Class Aviation medical exam
• State pesticide applicators license
• FAA Part 137 operating certificate (multiple pilots can operate on one operating certificate)
• FAA Section 44807 weight exemption (multiple drones can operate under this weight exemption; the exemption is not required for the T-10)
• FAA Aircraft registration
• Liability insurance for commercial pesticide application

Be sure to consult the FAA’s website as these requirements are subject to change.