Got Nature? Blog

Drones can be used to assess crop health, monitor livestock, disperse cover crop seed, optimize natural resources, for public safety, and much more. Purdue Extension’s UAV pilots are flying fields, forests, and urban areas through Indiana to help farmers, land and business owners, and government officials turn images into insights. Purdue Extension’s personnel are learning how to help farmers and agricultural professionals more easily analyze and apply data from UAVs or drones.

This publication titled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Checklist for Drones Flying in Indiana by Purdue Extension educators explains the steps required to legally fly a UAV or UAS in Indiana.

To legally fly an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aerial system (UAS), several steps must be taken. This document provides checklists to assist you in that process. The primary regulatory agency for UAVs is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). FAA puts drones in three main categories: 0.55 pounds or less, greater than 0.55 pounds to 55 pounds, and more than 55 pounds. The regulation and registration of drones varies, depending sometimes on usage but mostly on weight.

To receive the free download visit the Purdue Extension’s resource center: The Education Store – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Checklist for Drones Flying in Indiana.

For more information regarding Purdue Extension and Purdue Agriculture’s outreach through the agricultural use of unmanned aeiral vehicles (UAVs) view Purdue Extension-UAV.

Resources:
Integrated Digital Forestry Initiative (iDiF)
Creating a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan for Landowners, The Education Store
Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management Website, Purdue Extension
Timber Harvesting and Logging Practices for Private Woodlands, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Woodland Wildlife Management, The Education Store
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners Video Series, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Frost Seeding Native Grasses and Forbs with a Drone (UAV): Lessons Learned, Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources
A New Drone Supports Pollinator Efforts, Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources

Nikky Witkowski, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Extension Educator, Purdue University

Mark Carter, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Extension Educator, Purdue University

Alex Helms, Assistant Director,
Purdue Agricultural Centers