Our Services
We have the necessary licenses and qualifications to assist you with your drone operation.
We offer a range of drone services to help farmers optimize their operations and achieve higher yields. Whether you need a drone for crop protection, analysis, or spraying, we have the right solution for you.
Our services include
Field Scouting
We use high-resolution cameras and multispectral sensors to capture detailed images of your fields, identify crop health issues, and generate NDVI maps.
Image Processing
We use cloud-based software to process and analyze the images captured by our drones, and provide you with actionable insights and recommendations.
Mission Planning
We use GPS and RTK technology to plan and execute precise and automated flight missions for your fields, ensuring optimal coverage and accuracy.
Spraying and Spreading
We supply DJI AGRAS drones, which can carry up to 30 liters of liquid or solid payload, to spray or spread fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or seeds on your crops, with adjustable spray width and flow rate. Note: we do not provide a spraying service, instead supply the DJI equipment to operators and service providers.
Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)
We can help you with the SFOC application process, which involves completing a risk assessment (SORA) and following standard scenarios. We can also provide you with the safety design and reliability test report of the drone, which are required by Transport Canada (TC). The DJI AGRAS has already been approved by TC, so you only need to state the time and place of your upcoming work when applying for SFOC.
If you are purchasing a drone below 25 kg, such as the DJI AGRAS T10, you do not need an SFOC. However, you still need to comply with Canadian Standard 922, which covers the rules and regulations for drone operations. You may also need a radio license (ROC-A) to operate drones in or near airport control zones and restricted areas. Depending on the application and the zone, you may also need an aviation pilot with ROC-A.
TC requires at least 30 business days to grant an SFOC, and the VALRPAS preparation times varies usually from 1-3 months depending mostly on the characteristics of your proposed operation. Once the SFOC is granted it usually requires renewal annually in advance. You do not need to possess a drone to submit an SFOC, an SFOC can be prepared and processed pending drone delivery, as long as the type purchased is known.
If you’re considering the purchase of a drone heavier than 25kg (such as the T25 or T50), you’ll require a SFOC prior to ordering it. A T10, being less than 25kg does not require an SFOC, and therefore can be used anytime without the need for a permit.
This isn’t a quick process. You’ll want to apply by the fall for any drone you wish to use in the spring.
A SFOC is required for non-residents of Canada, operating a drone over 25kg at a public event, and flying a drone above 400 ft.
Operational risk assessments require the pilot in command to have at least 20 hrs of pilot in command time to operate under their SFOC. VAL can provide you with the rental equipment and required training.
Once the SFOC approval is imminent, you can make purchase plans for your drone.
Watch Ian Wills, President at Coast Drone speak about Breaking the Law with an SFOC: SFOC
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Training, Review and Licensing
To pilot your agricultural drone, you will need an Advanced RPAS license issued by TC. This license requires you to pass a written exam and a flight review. You can get the training for the exam from many providers, such as Coastal Drone Co. or InDro Robotics.
You may also need to gain experience and confidence on a drone with similar operating characteristics as the one you intend to use. We can provide you with advanced supplemental training and rental drone equipment, such as the Mavic line, to help you achieve that.
Flight Review. We are approved by Transport Canada to extend Advanced RPAS flight reviews, which is the knowledge and flight test you must pass as the final step in the RPAS licensing process. We are affiliated with Coastal Drone Co. and InDro Robotics in Canada for the purposes of flight reviews.
Third Party Review. We are approved by TC to carry out the Third Party Review of your above 25 kg RPAS operation, as required under the SFOC application and certification process.
Precision Agriculture
Precision agriculture is the future of farming, as it uses drone technology to increase production efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve crop quality. With precision agriculture, you can monitor your crops, analyze their health, plan your missions, and spray or spread fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or seeds with accuracy and ease.
We offer a range of precision agriculture solutions, using the DJI AGRAS drones, which are the world’s most advanced agriculture drone technology. The DJI AGRAS drones can carry up to 26 kg (T25) or 51 kg (T50) of liquid or solid payload, and have adjustable spray width and flow rate. They also have smart features, such as obstacle avoidance, terrain following, and intelligent operation modes.
We also use the DJI Smart Farm, which is a web-based SAAS platform that delivers agricultural drone solutions for growers and service providers. With DJI Smart Farm, you can process and manage your imagery data, monitor your drone operations, and share your results.
Multispectral Analysis
Multispectral analysis is a technique that uses different wavelengths of light to capture information invisible to the human eye. This information can help you identify crop health issues, such as pests, diseases, weeds, nutrient deficiencies, and water stress. You can also use multispectral analysis to generate NDVI maps, which show the vegetation index of your crops.
We use the DJI M3M Multispectral, which is a drone that has a built-in multispectral camera and a sunshine sensor. The multispectral camera has six bands: red, green, blue, red edge, near-infrared, and RGB. The sunshine sensor captures solar irradiance, which helps to calibrate the data. The DJI M3M Multispectral can also integrate with the DJI Agriculture Data Management Platform, which allows you to analyze and visualize your data.
Environmental Monitoring and Inspection
Mosquito Control
VectoBac is a biological larvicide used to control mosquitoes, black flies, and other nuisance flies. The active ingredient in VectoBac is a naturally occurring soil bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis serotype H-14. However as of this writing only two pesticides have been formally approved for use with drones in Canada. The pesticide is used for controlling Mosquito larvae are called VectoBac®️ 200G Biological Larvicide Granular Live Organism and VectoBac®️ 1200L Biological Larvicide Live Organism Aqueous Suspension. Any DJI Agras model is well suited for spraying these pesticides, particularly the T10 which due to its lower weight class can be put into service immediately without waiting for an SFOC to be granted by TC.