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regulation & Compliance

Compliance is Handled Before Your Drone Ships

Flying a spray drone commercially comes with real paperwork — an FAA exemption, an ag operator certificate, a pilot certificate, N-Number registration and Remote ID. It stops a lot of people before they start. Every Elevon base package includes the registration work, done before the drone leaves the shop.
WHAT THE FAA REQUIRES

Five Key Requirements for Commercial Agricultural Drone Operations

Part 44807 Exemption

Many agricultural spray drones exceed the 55-pound operating-weight threshold applicable to small UAS operations under Part 107. For these aircraft, operators generally need appropriate FAA relief, such as an exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 44807, along with compliance with the conditions of that exemption.

Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate

Applying agricultural products from an aircraft—including spraying or dispensing certain materials—is regulated as an agricultural aircraft operation under 14 CFR Part 137. Commercial operators must obtain the appropriate Part 137 certification and comply with its operating requirements.

Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

The person operating the drone must hold the appropriate FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and meet the applicable pilot qualification requirements. This establishes that the pilot has met the FAA's requirements to operate a small UAS.

Remote ID

Remote ID is the digital identification system for drones. It allows FAA and authorized personnel to receive identification and location information from an operating aircraft. Every Elevon Z-Series drone is equipped with Remote ID.

Aircraft Registration

Under FAA regulations, unmanned aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 55 pounds or more must be registered with the FAA under 14 CFR Part 47. Unlike smaller drones registered through the FAA's online Part 48 system, these aircraft receive a traditional N-number, similar to the registration number assigned to manned aircraft. All Elevon Z-series drones will come with an N-Number registered and labeled
What's Included

Compliance Support Comes Standard

We don't believe customers should have to navigate the regulatory process alone—or discover unexpected compliance costs after purchasing a drone.
Every Elevon base package includes registration and compliance support, including assistance with applicable Part 44807 and Part 137 filings. We work with customers to prepare the required documentation and help them understand the steps necessary to operate legally.
Remote ID comes installed on every Elevon Z-Series aircraft.
Our approach is simple: be upfront about the requirements, help you navigate the paperwork, and make the path to operation as straightforward as possible.
Talk To Us About Compliance
Two Elevon Aerial Ag Z30 drones lined up on a gravel road
Elevon Aerial Ag Z80 spray drone flying by crops at sunset
WHAT'S IN THE BOX

Why the Z-Series is Cleared to Fly

In December 2025, the FCC added foreign-made drones and key components to its Covered List — the federal list of equipment flagged as a national security risk — blocking new authorizations for the models that make up most of the U.S. market.

The Elevon Z30, Z50, and Z80 have received Conditional Approval from the Department of War, providing the regulatory pathway for these platforms to be marketed and operated in the United States under the conditions of that approval. 

Like every spray drone on the market, they have parts sourced from foreign countries. However, we’re actively moving the Z-Series toward greater U.S. content, domestic sourcing.

our path to becoming american-made
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Tell Us if You're Already Certified

If you already hold your Part 137 and your exemption, you shouldn't have to pay for work you've already done. Tell us where you stand when you build your package with the "Do you have your Part 137?" question on the form is there for exactly this.
Build Your Package
Elevon Aerial Ag Z80 spray drone flying by crops
FAQs

Common Questions about Drone Regulations

Yes. All spray drone applicators (personal and for-hire) need to have their Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate to fly, and your operation runs under a Part 137 certificate and a Part 44807 exemption. Elevon includes the registration work in every base package; the Part 107 pilot certificate is earned by the individual operator.

Yes. Every package comes with the registration package included in the price. Most places treat that as an add-on. Ours is done before the drone leaves the shop.

The Z30, Z50, and Z80 are cleared to sell and fly today under Elevon's Conditional Approval from the Department of War, which keeps them off the Covered List.

Elevon Z80 spray drone
Let's Talk

Let's Build Your Drone Package

Tell us about your operation and we'll build you a custom quote with registration and compliance already included.
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