180 - AMCA Drone Program: Removing Barriers and Encouraging Innovation

The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA), in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), developed a new program that provides regulatory compliance resources, training, and specific exemptions from FAA regulations to conduct aerial operations with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) commonly known as “drones”.

The goals of the AMCA Drone Program are:

< ![if !supportLists] >1.      < ![endif] >Provide required exemptions from FAA Regulations that enable AMCA members to use UAS to apply mosquito control materials and conduct other operations to support mosquito control efforts. 

< ![if !supportLists] >2.      < ![endif] >Engage AMCA with current and future FAA rulemaking processes and the associated regulations related to drone use like pesticide label language and potential concerns over the UAS impacts on sensitive habitats or endangered species.

< ![if !supportLists] >3.      < ![endif] >Provide a platform for AMCA members to participate in innovation and testing of advanced and novel uses of UAS technology to combat mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases. 

The need for this program is supported by a growing number of AMCA members who have expressed interest and invested in drone technology as a new tool for mosquito control.  AMCA surveyed its membership on drone use in 2018 and again in 2023 and survey results support a continued interest, but also identified challenges like regulatory complexity and uncertainty that prevents widespread adoption.  The AMCA Drone Program aims to decrease the barriers for drones and encourage the mosquito control community to embrace this technology and better protect public health.