Our Drone Articles

Cause of the Issue

Operating the aircraft in rainy conditions or rinsing it directly with water may allow water and chemical residue to accumulate inside the bottom of the motor. Over time, this can cause the motor bearings to corrode and become loose, resulting in increased clearance between the rotor and stator and affecting normal motor operation.

Preventive Maintenance

To minimize the risk of water ingress and bearing corrosion, avoid spraying or rinsing the aircraft directly with water. After each operation, inspect the motors for any accumulated water and remove it promptly using a clean, dry cloth.

Motor Maintenance Procedure

1. Disassemble the Motor

• Remove the lower motor.
• Remove the three (3) screws securing the motor bottom cover and the two (2) screws securing the three-phase wire, then remove the bottom cover.

2. Clean the Sealing Areas

• Use a cotton swab dampened with isopropyl alcohol to thoroughly clean the flat surfaces around all six (6) sealing holes. Ensure the surfaces are free of oil, dust, and other contaminants to achieve proper adhesion.

Important: Do not use water for cleaning.

3. Seal the Holes

• Apply Kafuter K-5911B silicone sealant to seal all six (6) holes.
• Use a cotton swab stick or a small wooden stick to spread the sealant evenly over each hole.

Important: Apply only a moderate amount of sealant. Excess sealant may flow into the motor assembly and interfere with normal motor operation.

4. Inspection and Curing

• Verify that all six holes are completely sealed with no exposed openings.
• Allow the sealant to cure for at least 10 minutes before reassembly.
• Lightly touch the sealed area with a clean cotton swab. If no sealant transfers to the swab, the sealant has cured sufficiently and the motor can be reassembled.

Register your interest to attend 

Limited numbers. Registered individuals are welcome to attend after receiving a confirmation email from us.  

To fly a T100 on your own property you need an REPL and a TR; 

REPL

To fly it on your own property only requires a ‘standard’ drone licence , this is called an RePL ( Remote Pilot License) which can be done in 4 days; 3 days from home doing online theory, and 1 day  in a park flying (practical). The RePL costs about $1500.0 depending on which training school you choose.

TR

A T100 "TR" Type Rating (also called ‘Endorsement’). This typically involves flying your T100 with a assessor standing next to you for about 2 hours. The assessor is basically looking to see if you can operate this relatively large drone (T100) safely - i.e. flying certain maneuvers and checking the environment before take off (nearby powerlines, animals and closeness of regional aerodromes). They might also ask about some basic aircraft specs ( e.g. max wind speed it should fly in, battery capacity) amongst other things. Cost is $890.0.

To fly a T100 on someone else's property requires a 3rd item - a REOC

REOC

A CASA ReOC. A Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) is something you need that basically tells CASA you have your knowledge and procedures in place to be able to fly your T100 safely in unfamiliar properties/environments such as a new client's property. The process involves learning, preparing a response to a scenario you will be given , and then doing a phone interview to see if you pass. An example scenario may be something like: “Fred Smith has asked you to spray his 100 ha canola plantation at map location X. You may notice this location has a nearby public footpath, is close to a regional aerodrome, and a local helicopter company performs periodic powerline checks nearby.  You will need to factor in how to manage these risks, amongst various other considerations, in your scenario response. Cost is about 2300.0 at the time of writing.  

From CASA Non-significant change: here.

More details from CASA on Very your ReOC: here.

Definition of Significant change

The definition of what is considered a significant change depends on the Part. You can find a list of significant changes in the relevant legislation. While these changes are not the same across the different legislation, there are some common significant changes across legislation. These can include: changes to operational locations changes to organisational structure other changes that do not maintain or improve, or are not likely to maintain or improve, aviation safety. Approval of a significant change is chargeable under the Civil Aviation (Fees) Regulations 1995. You will receive an estimate of costs to assess these changes.

For drones Significant changes:

Definition of Non-significant change

A non-significant change is any other change that doesn’t fall into the definition of a significant change. You must notify us of non-significant changes to your RPAS Operations Manual within 21 days after the change occurs. We do not review these changes, so you can start using the new procedures immediately. There is no fee for making non-significant changes.

Examples of non-significant changes include:

• adding a new RPA to Schedule 1 of your RPAS Operations Manual, as long as it is within the approved scope of your ReOC

• updating or removing serial numbers in Schedule 1 of your RPAS Operations Manual, if required by your ReOC

• removing RPA from Schedule 1 of your RPAS Operations Manual

• correcting spelling errors or formatting issues

• improving aviation safety:

• adding procedures for a safety observer or spotter

• enhancing training and checking process

• implementing remote pilot recency requirements

• setting limits on driving and flying hours

• increasing inspection or replacement periods for parts based on maintenance trends.

General preparation / steps

1. Important Pre-Requirements

Before submitting the change to CASA, ensure:

• You have successfully passed the T100 Type Rating Assessment.

• CASA has officially issued the T100 type rating on your RePL.

• You can confirm this through your myCASA portal under Licences.

• Do not submit the ReOC change until the T100 endorsement is visible.

2. Why This Is a Non-Significant Change

• Both T50 and T100 fall under the Medium Multirotor (25-150kg) category.

• The addition does not affect operational risk level, company structure, or safety assurance system.

• No changes to the type of operation, airspace category, or operational area.

• Therefore, it qualifies as a non-significant change under CASA Part 101 MOS.

3. Required Documents to Update

Prepare the following before submitting through myCASA:

How to Submit (2methods)

You can either 

1. submit the form and supporting documents via email, OR 

2. via myCASA portal, attach the supporting documents (generally faster)

CASA form via email

1. Log in at https://mycasaservices.casa.gov.au

2. Go to "Organisations" > Select your ReOC

3. Click “Submit Variation / Change to ReOC”

4. Choose "Non-significant change – Aircraft addition (Medium category)"

5. Upload updated documents:

• Revised Operations Manual pages

• Revised Procedures (if applicable)

• Copy of RePL with T100 endorsement

• Cover letter explaining the change

6. Submit the application. CASA typically takes 5–15 business days to update.
   
   

Email the updates to: [email protected]

Include:

• ReOC Change Summary

• Filled and Signed ReOC Non-Significant change update form

• Updated ReOC manual (all docs)

• Updated RePL Copy (including your updated type ratings)

Via myCASA portal (recommend as faster)

1. Create or log in to your myCASA portal account.

2. Go to your ReOC holder profile (either individual or business).

3. Click Manage certificates and select your ReOC certificate from the list.

4. Click “Notify CASA of a non-significant change”, fill in what is required.
   
   

Provide the required details:

• State you are adding the DJI T100 to your operational aircraft list.
  
  

• Confirm that it is a medium multirotor, eg. same category as DJI T50.
  
  

• Confirm no change to organisational structure, safety systems or operational risk.

Upload supporting documents:

• Updated sections of Operations Manual and Procedures Library.

• Copy of your RePL with T100 endorsement.
  
  

Submit the notification.

• CASA will send an email acknowledgement—no assessment or fee is required for non-significant changes.

What a fantastic weekend at the Murrumbateman Field Days! Our team — Oscar, Nick, Charlie, Chloe, Ali and George — had a brilliant two days meeting hundreds of growers, graziers, and rural innovators who stopped by to learn about the latest in agricultural drone technology.

We showcased the DJI Agras T100, T50, and T25 spray drones, along with the DJI M4 Multispectral (M4T) for animal spotting and precision mapping. Our demo flights on the main oval drew big crowds and plenty of conversation — proving just how fast this technology is transforming the way farms handle spraying and spreading.

It wasn’t just about showing off what drones can do — we also learned a lot from the locals. From broadacre growers keen to automate spraying, to graziers looking for better ways to manage pasture and weeds, to hobby farmers exploring drone use around small blocks — even a few military and emergency services visitors with ideas for surveillance and mapping applications. The insights and enthusiasm we heard from across the community were inspiring.

Across the weekend, we were approached by many local farmers from Murrumbateman, Yass, Goulburn and surrounding regions, keen to see how drones can boost productivity, reduce costs, and help them get the job done faster.

This was our third year exhibiting, and we’re already looking forward to making it our fourth next year. After 11 years in operation, Drones For Hire remains the go-to agricultural drone partner for setup, training, and support across the region.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by — and to those who missed us, we’ll be back even bigger next year!

 Learn more about how drones are changing farming at dronesforhire.com.au

Hi all, we have been super busy with DJI T40 demonstrations and customer setups since the units arrive in late 2022. Please see a variety of images and videos below and please feel free to reach out with any questions or for a list of upcoming demo dates and locations. Thanks to AJ, Simpko, Oscar, Damo and Danny for all your hard work to get these days organized and executed. As a team we have learned a lot about the system in the past few months and feel very confident in addressing customer questions regarding spraying and spreading methods, prescription mapping, Terra , NDVI, nozzle types and just about everything. We have also stipped down a T40 in order to understand its components and inner workings more thoroughly.

Henty Machinery Field Days 2025 

Our DJI Agriculture Authorised Service Center (ASC) at Mummel NSW

Mummel NSW, February 2024

St Helens QLD, November 2023

Murrumbateman Field Days 2023

Warroo NSW, October 2023

Harcourt VIC, October 2023

Henty Machinery Field Days 2023

Previous T40 setup days & demo days

Henty Machinery Field Days 2025 - Drones For Hire presenting T100

Drones For Hire recently showcased the cutting-edge DJI Agras T100 spray drone at a field demonstration in Collie, NSW, hosted in partnership with local farmer Terry Wyatt on his canola crop.

The event drew strong interest from local farmers and agronomists, who were eager to see how large-scale spray drones can transform crop protection and input application.

During the demo, the Drones For Hire team highlighted the T100’s versatility and ease of use by showcasing its spraying and spreading abilities over canola, flying both manually and autonomously.

The hands-on demonstration gave attendees a clear picture of how drone technology can improve efficiency, reduce labour costs, and deliver consistent results in Australian farming conditions.

Drones For Hire is proud to support growers like Terry by bringing the latest agricultural drone technology directly into the field, and by offering guidance on training, licensing, and ongoing support.

Here’s the straight talk for cane growers getting into drones and weighing up DJI’s T100 vs T70. We’ll keep it practical, Australia-focused, and cane-specific.

The short answer

• If maximum hectares/day is the priority: T100 has the edge — a touch more capacity (within AU limits), broader effective swath, stronger downwash for canopy penetration, faster connection routing, and more precise height-keeping over uneven cane.

• If you’re tight on trailer space, budget, or mostly doing lighter work: T70 still gets it done — just expect to run a little slower in cane to keep spray quality up.

Note the T100 is currently selling in Australia (Sep 2025), we suspect the T70P may come here in 6-12 months but don’t have the official news yet. 

Speed (spray vs routing)

• Top speed: T70P’s max varies by region. Some markets allow 20 m/s; others (e.g., EU) cap it at 13.8 m/s. AU cap is not yet confirmed.

• Why it matters: High top speed is valuable for return-to-home and connection routing (non-spray legs). If AU gets the higher cap, that’s a T70 plus. If AU is limited to 13.8 m/s, routing will be slower.

• Realistic spray speeds in cane: To land droplets and push spray into the stalks, plan on ~8–10 m/s. In comparable conditions, the T100’s stronger downwash means you can often run ~1–2 m/s faster than a T70 for the same on-crop quality.

Bottom line on speed: Faster non-spray legs go to whichever platform has the higher regional cap; on-crop spray passes will typically be quicker with the T100 for the same coverage quality.

Legal payload (AU)

• T100 (AU): 75 L liquid or 75 kg granular (MTOW-limited).

• T70P: 70 L liquid or 70 kg granular.
  So, within CASA limits, the T100 nets you +5 L/kg per flight. That’s not huge, but over a day it adds up.

Note: Some operators talk about loading beyond 75 L/kg — that’s outside CASA rules. We don’t recommend it.

Spray performance in cane

Brochure effective swath (ideal conditions):

• T100: 5–13 m

• T70: 4–11 m

Cane reality check: Dense canopy and tall stalks usually compress brochure numbers. A conservative, real-world expectation might look like:

• T100: ~5–10 m

• T70: ~4–8.5 m

Why T100 pulls ahead: Larger airframe and stronger downwash drive droplets deeper into the crop — that’s what lets you hold pattern quality at slightly higher speeds or open swath a little wider without sacrificing deposition.

Granular spreading (when you’re not spraying)

• T70 tank: 100 L, 70 kg

• T100 tank: 150 L physical volume, but AU MTOW still caps you at ~75 kg (heavier loads may be allowed elsewhere; follow AU rules).
  If you’re spreading low-density product, the extra 50 L volume on T100 is handy. For typical cane programs where spraying dominates, this is secondary.

Sensing, height-keeping & smoothness

• T70: Vision/radar based; no LiDAR listed.

• T100: Adds LiDAR height sensing alongside other sensors.

In variable cane height, LiDAR helps the aircraft track canopy changes more precisely, reducing bobbing and keeping nozzle-to-target distance consistent. Practically, that means smoother passes, fewer sensor-induced slow-downs, and more uniform deposition — especially where stool height and ratoon vigour vary across the block.

(We’ll keep saying it plainly: these are grounded expectations — they align with physics and spec sheets — but on-cane flight hours will always teach you the fine tuning on your farm.)

Productivity per day

Put the pieces together — slightly wider effective swath, a bit more legal payload, stronger downwash allowing ~1–2 m/s higher spray speed for equal quality, faster routing (if caps permit), and fewer sensor-induced stalls — and the T100 should cover meaningfully more hectares per day.

If AU’s T70 speed is capped to 13.8 m/s, the T100’s routing legs pull further ahead.

When the T70 still makes sense

• You’re space-constrained and want a simpler single-operator rig.

• You’re budget-sensitive and can trade some throughput for lower capital outlay.

• Your work is mostly lighter canopy or shorter blocks where the T100’s advantages don’t compound as much.

Setup realities (don’t gloss this over)

• T100 is bigger. To run it efficiently solo (or to run multiple T100s), plan your vehicle layout, mixing station, battery flow, and staging properly. With a smart truck fit-out, the size penalty disappears and the throughput gains dominate.

Bottom line

• Chasing throughput in cane? Choose T100.

• Balancing cost, space, and adequate performance? T70 can still be the right call.
  Either way, keep spray speed realistic for cane (think ~8–10 m/s), set swath by on-crop coverage checks, and stay within AU MTOW limits.

If you’d like block-specific settings (speed, swath, flow, runs, battery rotation) for your cane, we’ll map it out with you and get the numbers dialled. Please ask for Nick or Oscar! 1300 029 829 or [email protected] 

Drones For Hire (DFH) — here when you’re ready to push more hectares, with fewer headaches.