The economics in one line: profit = (price per acre − cost per acre) × acres sprayed. Payback = equipment cost ÷ annual profit. Everything below is that idea, made interactive.
Your numbers
Your results
$0gross revenue / yr
$0profit / yr
0%margin
—payback
Revenue vs. cost vs. profit
Planning model only — real costs include chemicals (often billed separately or supplied by the grower), insurance, batteries, labor, travel, downtime, and taxes. Validate with your own quotes.
What goes into "cost per acre"
- Direct: batteries & charging/fuel, wear, water, travel to the field.
- Overhead: insurance (aviation + chemical liability), licenses, software, truck/trailer.
- Labor: your time plus any ground crew (loader/spotter).
- Downtime: weather days and repairs you can't bill for.
Chemical is frequently supplied by the grower or billed as a pass-through, which is why per-acre application pricing is the number that matters here.
Levers to improve ROI
- Utilization. More acres in the season is the single biggest lever — a short spray window is the real constraint.
- Efficiency. Faster refills, multiple batteries, and a second aircraft raise acres/hour.
- Rate discipline. Don't underprice; drift and liability are real. Bundle records/reporting as value.
- Add lines. Cover-crop seeding and spreading extend the earning calendar beyond spray season.
Illustrative model for planning; not financial advice. Compare against local custom-application rates and your own equipment and insurance quotes.
Rather skip the paperwork?
Our FAA Part 137 and state applicator licensing is in progress — reserve your price now and we’ll fly as soon as we’re cleared. Or gear up to fly your own.