- The National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) has confirmed that the Rotor R550 Sprayhawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is compliant with ANAC’s Special Regulation for Unmanned Aircraft of Civilian Use, enabling commercial agricultural operations to begin in Brazil.
The Sprayhawk is an unmanned variant of the Robinson R44 helicopter that has a
maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of over 1000kg and a spray capacity of over 400 litres,
allowing it to cover more than 80 Ha per hour at lower per acre cost than smaller
UAVs or comparable manned platforms.
The permission applies to the commercial application of agrochemicals, adjuvants, fertilisers, inoculants, correctives, and seeds over uninhabited areas and operated under visual line-of-sight (VLOS) or extended visual line-of-sight (EVLOS) conditions, with an operational ceiling of up to 120 meters AGL. Operations will begin with a remote safety pilot who must have a Commercial Pilot License and complete Rotor’s factory training.
ANAC is the first regulatory body globally to allow commercial operations for the Sprayhawk. Rotor is currently seeking FAA approval for commercial agricultural operations in the U.S. through exceptions, similar to those granted for other agricultural UAVs such as the DJI Agras T50.
“ANAC’s support for advanced unmanned aircraft like the Sprayhawk reinforces its role as
an innovative and visionary regulatory agency,” said Rotor CEO Hector Xu.
“Unmanned and autonomous technology will keep pilots safe while stimulating Brazil’s innovation ecosystem, promoting job creation, and strengthening its agricultural industry.”
The Sprayhawk will initially be offered as an aftermarket retrofit kit, enabling manned
Robinson R44 helicopters to be converted to Sprayhawks by certain Robinson service
centres.
There are approximately 400 R44s currently operating in Brazil. Rotor and Robinson are also working together to deliver new R550 aircraft to serve the Brazilian market.
“Robinson Helicopter Company’s established dealer network gains a significant opportunity to expand agricultural business in Brazil through the marketing and distribution of the Sprayhawk,” said Robinson Helicopter Company President and CEO David Smith.
“The combination of the Robinson R44 platform’s low operating costs and Rotor Technologies’ remote-piloted technology offers a compelling alternative to fixed-wing aircraft or small drones.”
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