Drone Cleaning Safety: FAA Part 107 & Insurance

FAA Part 107 basics

The FAA's Part 107 rule covers small drones under 55 pounds. Pilots flying for business need an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate. Lucid Bots' Sherpa manual, for example, states that commercial use of its cleaning drone in the US requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Heavier aircraft and some kinds of operations need other FAA authorizations.

Drone cleaning operators need FAA authorization; chemical spraying may fall under Part 137. Ask your operator for their certifications.

FAA Part 137 and cleaning chemicals

Part 137 of the FAA's rules covers agricultural aircraft operations. Under 14 CFR 137.3, that means operating an aircraft to dispense any economic poison; any substance for plant nourishment, soil treatment, propagation of plant life, or pest control; or dispensing that directly affects agriculture, horticulture, or forest preservation. Economic poison includes substances meant to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests, which the rule says can include fungi and weeds.

Some soft-wash solutions are used against algae, mold, or moss. Whether a particular cleaning job falls under Part 137 depends on what is sprayed and how, and is a question for the operator and the FAA. We don't make that call. Ask your operator which FAA authorizations they hold for applying chemicals from a drone, and ask to see them.

Insurance

Lucid Bots, maker of the Sherpa drone, requires its customers to carry at least $1 million in commercial general liability and $1 million in aviation insurance. Its operator blog recommends general liability of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, aviation and hull coverage, and workers' compensation that explicitly covers aviation work. These are a drone maker's requirements and recommendations, not legal minimums. Ask for a certificate of insurance before the job.

Site safety

• A marked safety zone below the work area.
• Notice to tenants, neighbors, and anyone parking nearby.
• A weather policy: wind and rain stop flights.
• A plan for plants, pets, pools, cars, and runoff.

10 questions to ask before hiring

• Do your pilots hold current FAA Remote Pilot Certificates?
• What other FAA authorizations do you hold, including for applying chemicals?
• Can you send a certificate of insurance with general liability and aviation coverage?
• Does your workers' comp cover aviation work?
• Which drone and cleaning method will you use on my surfaces?
• What solution do you spray, and how do you handle runoff?
• What safety zone will you set up, and who notifies tenants?
• What weather or airspace issues would delay the job?
• Have you cleaned surfaces like mine, and can I see references?
• What happens if something is damaged?

FAQ