Frequently asked questions
The questions farmers actually ask us. Straight answers — and where the answer is "it depends" or "we don't know yet", we say so.
Is drone spraying legal in the UK?
Partly. It depends on what you're applying.
- Seeds, granular fertiliser, foliar feeds, biostimulants, biocontrols, shading paint, cleaning chemicals, pod sealant resins — all legal under a standard CAA Operational Authorisation. AutoSpray Systems Ltd holds OA UAS 14429 and ASPN pilots fly under it.
- Slug pellets (ferric phosphate) — legal, but only via operators flying under AutoSpray Systems' specific approval. AutoSpray was the first commercial drone slug pellet operator in the UK and that approval is what makes the service possible.
- Plant protection products — herbicides, fungicides, insecticides — remain effectively prohibited for general drone application. The CAA and HSE will look at case-by-case applications, mainly for bracken control. If you see anyone advertising "drone weed spraying" without that specific approval, take it with a pinch of salt.
We will tell you honestly what's legal for your job before you commit.
Do I need a permit or licence on my farm to have a drone fly?
No. The pilot holds the licences and permissions; you don't need anything on your end. The pilot is responsible for making sure the flight is legal and safe.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the job, the area, the access and the product. As a rough guide:
- Cover crop or wildflower seeding: typically £40 to £75 per hectare for straightforward jobs, more for small or awkward parcels.
- Spreading and spraying: starting from around £45 per hectare upward, depending on product.
- Slug pellets and pod sealant: priced per job — driven by area, access and timing.
- Crop monitoring and NDVI: from around £350 for smaller holdings, with bigger packages running into thousands depending on area and analysis depth.
These are indicative — every job is different. Tell us about your job and we'll come back with a firm number.
What can drones spray right now, and what can't they?
They can apply: seeds, granular fertilisers, liquid feeds, biostimulants, biocontrols, ferric phosphate slug pellets (under AutoSpray's approval), pod sealants, shading paints, cleaning chemicals.
They can't (yet, in routine commercial use): herbicides, fungicides, insecticides — except in very specific case-by-case approvals for things like bracken control on upland.
How do I pay — through you or the pilot?
You pay the pilot direct. We don't handle the money. The pilot quotes you, agrees a price, does the work and invoices you. Yorkshire Ag Drones is an independent introducer service — we don't take payment from you for the quote.
Are the pilots insured?
Yes. ASPN pilots fly under AutoSpray Systems Ltd's CAA Operational Authorisation, which requires aviation third-party insurance compliant with the relevant UK regulations. AutoSpray Systems and the pilot carry the operational liability for the flight itself.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day?
The pilot reschedules. Drone work has practical wind, rain and visibility limits. You don't pay for jobs that don't fly. Booking early in the season helps because it gives the pilot more flexibility to find a window.
Can drones work on wet ground?
Yes — and this is actually one of the main reasons to use one. The whole point of a drone is that it doesn't touch the soil. No compaction, no rutting, no waiting for the ground to dry. If your ground is too wet for a tractor, a drone can usually still do the job.
How many hectares can a drone cover in a day?
Real-world coverage on the XAG P100 Pro is around 10 to 15 hectares an hour after refills, transit and battery swaps. The manufacturer quote of 19 hectares an hour is a theoretical figure that doesn't survive contact with a real day in the field. Over a long summer day a pilot can comfortably do 70 to 100 hectares of broadcasting work.
Can I use my FETF grant to pay for this?
No — not for hiring a contractor. FETF is a capital grant to buy equipment, not to pay for services. The 2026 round (item code FETF405) gives £14,476 towards a farm drone, but you still need to cover training, CAA Operational Authorisation, insurance, extra batteries and ongoing maintenance yourself. For most arable farms under 600 hectares of drone work a year, hiring a certified pilot comes out cheaper. We've written the full honest maths in our FETF 2026 drone grant guide — including the critical detail that FETF405 excludes pesticide-spraying drones.
Can I use SFI payments alongside this?
Yes — and this is where the maths gets interesting. SFI cover crop, herbal ley and wildflower actions all pay rates that more than cover a drone establishment cost on the right ground. SFI is currently closed to new applications and reopens for SFI26 in 2026 in two windows. Always check the live gov.uk SFI handbook before committing — rates and definitions are changing.
How quickly can you get a pilot to me?
Depends on the season and the diary. In peak windows (July–September for cover crop, late June–July for pod sealant, August–October for slug pellets) book as early as you can — diaries fill. Outside peak, most jobs can be quoted within a day or two and flown within a couple of weeks.
Who actually does the work?
A certified pilot from the AutoSpray Systems Pilot Network (ASPN). The pilot you end up working with depends on where your farm is and what the job is. We make the match.