You will need this licence if you intend to distribute agricultural chemicals from an aircraft in flight, and you either:
- are the sole pilot in command, carrying out aerial distribution in your own aerial distribution business
- operate an aerial distribution business and employ or engage pilots to carry out aerial distribution on behalf of your business.
An agricultural chemical includes any agricultural chemical product registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
The distribution of agricultural chemicals involves spraying, spreading or dispersing from an aircraft in flight. Aerial distribution includes aerial spraying of crops, aerial baiting activity (e.g. rat or mice baits or 1080 baits) and public health pest control (e.g. municipal mosquito control programs). Aerial distribution is often the preferred method to apply agricultural chemicals when it is impractical or difficult to carry out ground distribution, particularly in wet seasons.
Aerial distribution contractor licences may be issued for manned aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs / drones / remotely piloted aircraft. If you are an aerial distribution contractor and also intend to be a pilot in command of an aircraft to carry out aerial distribution, you must hold a pilot chemical rating licence in addition to an aerial distribution contractor licence.
