Register for the 2026 MSU Spring Spray Drone Fly-In

Mike Reinke<reinkem3@msu.edu> and Max Davis, Michigan State University Extension - March 03, 2026

Refine your spray drone skills at Michigan’s premier hands-on workshop on April 8.

A man speaks to a group of about 30 adults gathered in a grassy field while standing beside two large agricultural drones equipped with spray tanks and multiple rotors. — Learn about safe, effective spray drone use and engage with the wider spray drone community. Photo by Max Davis.

Now in its third year, the 2026 MSU Spring Spray Drone Fly-In, held on April 8 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, is an all-day educational event designed for both current and aspiring spray drone operators. This event combines expert-led discussions with hands-on demonstrations, providing valuable insights into optimizing drone-based chemical applications. This meeting introduces good fundamentals to make spray drone pilots safer, more efficient and more effective.

What to expect

During the morning education sessions, learn from industry experts about best practices, regulations, and the latest research on spray drone applications in agriculture and related industries. Speakers will include:

Mark Ledebuhr of Application Insight LLC, discussing fundamental practices for chemical applications from drones.
Mike Reinke of Michigan State University Extension, navigating compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and understanding pesticide safety when operating spray drones.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, discussing current state regulations for aerial applicators.

The afternoon demonstrations (as weather permits) will include:

A drone comparison showcase. Multiple drone make and models will be on display. They will be flown side-by-side to demonstrate similarities and differences between manufacturers. This will help in learning how to set up your drone and deciding on what drone makes sense for your next one.
How do you evaluate the swath? We will go through the swath collection and evaluation process using the Swath Gobbler hardware and software.
How do rotary atomizers actually work? We will run the spray systems of multiple drone models to show what happens to the product as it leaves the spray drone and how to adjust it to make it do what you want.

The MSU Spray Drone Spring Fly-In will be held at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49127. Doors open at 8 a.m. with presentations starting at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided. Cost to attend is $50 per person.

If you have any questions, reach out to Mike Reinke at reinkem3@msu.edu or 573-239-0808.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).