FAA Part 107 Cohort Training | Day 3: Broadcast & Seeding Payloads

Target Audience: Veteran Cohort (Hillside Remediation & Agricultural Missions) Total Time: 4.5 Hours (2.0 hr morning mechanics, 2.5 hr field calibration & live drop simulation)

I. Core Lecture Modules

Module 1: Agricultural & Restoration Spreading Mechanics (75 Mins)

  • Granular Spreader Systems: Operating high-capacity agricultural spreading payloads (e.g., DJI Agras T-series spreading tanks) for cover crop seeding and fertilizer broadcast.
  • Particle Ballistics & Wind Drift: Factoring in seed weight, shape, density, and local crosswinds to calculate dispersion drift across steep slopes.
  • Swath Width Calibration: Determining effective spread width based on flight height (typically 3 to 5 meters AGL for agricultural broadcast) to prevent striping or gaps.
  • Material Flow Control: Calibrating gate opening sizes and disc RPM to match target application rates (e.g., 30–100 lbs/acre depending on prescription maps).

Module 2: Pre-Flight Payload Inspection & Weight Limits (75 Mins)

  • Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): Strict adherence to aircraft structural limits and Part 107 weight category thresholds when handling heavy payloads.
  • Center of Gravity (CG) Verification: Ensuring payload hopper weight is evenly distributed to prevent motor strain, unstable flight dynamics, or attitude control failure.
  • Emergency Hopper Jettison: Knowing manual and automated emergency release protocols if an engine failure or power loss occurs mid-flight with a heavy load.
  • Pre-Flight Mechanical Check: Inspecting augers, spinner disks, gate actuators, and quick-release pins for jamming or debris buildup.

Module 3: Live Field Execution & Post-Mission Logging (45 Mins)

  • Crew Resource Management (CRM): Coordinating roles between the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC), Visual Observer (VO), and Payload Ground Crew during active spreading operations.
  • Telemetry & Task Logging: Recording total seed weight dispensed, area covered (acres), and flight logs to sync with watershed tracking databases.

II. End-of-Day Diagnostic Pretest

Question 1: Swath Width & Application Rate

You are calibrating a granular spreading drone to distribute a native deep-root grass mix over a hillside burn scar at 45 lbs/acre. If you increase your operational flight altitude from 3 meters to 6 meters AGL without adjusting spreader parameters, what is the most likely result?

A) The seed will automatically sink deeper into the soil upon impact.

B) The effective swath width will widen, but lateral wind drift will increase, leading to uneven distribution and missed coverage zones. (Correct)

C) The aircraft maximum takeoff weight limit will double.

Question 2: Center of Gravity & Payload Safety

Before launching an agricultural mission with a fully loaded hopper, why is verifying the Center of Gravity (CG) critical?

A) An improperly balanced payload can cause severe motor strain, attitude instability, and loss of control authority. (Correct)

B) It satisfies FAA Remote ID broadcast requirements.

C) It prevents the onboard camera from recording NDVI imagery.

Question 3: Crew Resource Management (CRM)

During a low-altitude agricultural broadcast mission, your Visual Observer (VO) spots a crop duster entering the local sector. What is the immediate required protocol?

A) Continue the autonomous grid since the drone has the right-of-way.

B) Immediately alert the RPIC, yield right-of-way by altering course or landing the sUAS immediately, as unmanned aircraft must yield to all manned aircraft. (Correct)

C) Switch the drone camera to thermal mode.

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