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Gilliam County approves drone pilot school payment; weed department seeks FAA waiver funding
Summary
The county approved an $800 payment for a Weed Department pilot to attend a Part 107 drone school; the department requested up to $3,000 to retain outside counsel to pursue FAA waivers for pesticide spraying with heavier drones and will work with finance to cover that cost from remaining project funds.
The Gilliam County Court on Jan. 20 approved payment for a weed‑department staff member’s Part 107 drone pilot school and discussed additional FAA waiver and certification costs needed to begin pesticide spraying by drone.
Michael Durfee of the county weed department told the court he purchased a drone and trailer with previously allocated funds and recently completed a Part 107 remote‑pilot test after attending a Portland training that cost $800. “I went and I passed my test,” Durfee said. He described additional regulatory steps required for aerial pesticide application: an FAA waiver process and an aerial applicator certification under pesticide rules.
Durfee said counsel experienced with FAA petitions typically charges between $1,500 and $3,000 for the waiver petition depending on drone weight and complexity; for aircraft over 55 pounds he cited a recommended $3,000 legal fee for the petition and plan preparation. The department also plans to pursue a $1,000 insurance‑program reimbursement available through the county insurance provider.
County finance director Brooklyn Griffith and commissioners discussed how to absorb the prepaid $800 pilot‑school expense and whether the department could use remaining project dollars (Durfee said roughly $12,000 remained after buying the drone and trailer) to cover the additional waiver assistance. The court moved, seconded and unanimously approved payment for the $800 pilot training and associated travel expenses; the court and staff agreed to work with finance to allocate up to $3,000 for waiver and petition assistance if needed and to seek available insurance reimbursement.
Durfee said he will complete pesticide aerial‑applicator certification requirements and continuing‑education credits as required by state pesticide rules before commencing operations. The court asked staff to document the additional costs and return with any outstanding approvals.
