Draganfly Secures Milestone FAA Section 44807 Exemption for Heavy Lift Drone Platform, Unlocking Commercial Operations Over 55 Pounds in U.S. Airspace

Rhea-AI Summary

Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) announced that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has granted a Section 44807 Special Authority exemption for its Heavy Lift unmanned aircraft platform, permitting commercial operations above the standard 55-pound maximum takeoff weight limit under Part 107 rules.

According to Draganfly, this approval follows FAA evaluation of airworthiness, fail-safe engineering, risk‑mitigation protocols, and operational safety. The exemption allows Draganfly and authorized operators to conduct heavy‑payload missions for automated cargo delivery, disaster relief, defense logistics, infrastructure inspection, and specialized multi‑sensor deployments across U.S. airspace.

Positive

• FAA Section 44807 exemption enables Heavy Lift drone operations above 55-pound MTOW limit
• Regulatory approval supports heavy-payload missions for cargo, disaster relief, infrastructure inspection, and defense logistics in U.S. airspace

Negative

• None.

Argus Sep 1 session 31 alerts

-1.38% close to close 13.7x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – DPRO

+6.9% Peak Tracked

-5.0% Trough Tracked

$206.55M Mkt Cap at Peak Alert

On Sep 1, the day this news came out, DPRO closed 1.38% below the previous close. Argus tracked a peak move of +6.9% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -5.0% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner recorded 31 alerts for this stock that day. Relative volume reached 13.7x the daily average during tracking.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Sep 1 session.

Key Figures

Exemption: Section 44807 Heavy-lift threshold: 55 pounds Company operating history: Over 25 years

Exemption

Section 44807

FAA Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Heavy-lift threshold

55 pounds

Standard FAA Part 107 limitation exceeded by the platform

Company operating history

Over 25 years

Draganfly company description

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Aug 25

5 events

1. Aug 25

   Leadership appointment

   24h Move

   +0.2%

   Defense executive appointed to oversee U.S. defense operations and expansion.

2. Aug 10

   Quarterly results

   24h Move

   -5.9%

   Record quarterly revenue was reported alongside substantially wider net losses.

3. Aug 07

   Shareholder update

   24h Move

   +4.5%

   Company scheduled a shareholder call to discuss milestones and second-quarter financial results.

4. Jul 27

   Strategic partnership

   24h Move

   +4.3%

   SRLEEA selected Draganfly for a rural and tribal law-enforcement drone program.

5. Jun 25

   Strategic partnership

   24h Move

   -3.5%

   IACLEA selected Draganfly for a national campus drone-readiness program.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

faa part 107, airworthiness, redundant avionics

3 terms

faa part 107 regulatory

"limitation established by FAA Part 107"

A Federal Aviation Administration rule set that governs commercial operations of small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in the United States, including pilot certification, aircraft limits, and operational restrictions. Think of it as the driver’s license and traffic rules for commercial drone use: it defines who can legally fly, where and how high they can operate, and what permissions are needed, which affects companies that rely on drone services or drone sales.

airworthiness technical

"requires rigorous validation of aircraft airworthiness"

Airworthiness is the official determination that an aircraft and its parts are safe and legally fit to fly, based on inspections, maintenance records, and compliance with regulatory standards. For investors, airworthiness matters because it directly affects an operator’s ability to generate revenue and avoid costly groundings or fines; think of it like a car’s safety inspection sticker—lose it and the vehicle can’t be used until the problem is fixed, which can disrupt business and cash flow.

redundant avionics technical

"features industrial-grade flight controllers, redundant avionics"

Duplicate or parallel aircraft electronic systems—such as flight controls, navigation, communication, sensors and their power supplies—designed so one set can take over if another fails. Like a car with dual brakes or a spare GPS, redundant avionics increase reliability and help meet safety and regulatory standards, which affects certification, operating uptime, maintenance needs and program costs that matter to investors.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Special Governmental Approval Validates Advanced Safety Architecture and Clears the Path for Critical Heavy-Payload Defense, Industrial, and Emergency Response Deployments

Tampa, Florida, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a Section 44807 Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) exemption for its Heavy Lift drone platform.

This landmark regulatory approval permits Draganfly and authorized commercial operators to operate the Heavy Lift platform at maximum takeoff weights exceeding the standard 55-pound limitation established by FAA Part 107. Securing a Section 44807 exemption represents an extraordinary operational milestone in the commercial drone industry, as the evaluation process requires rigorous validation of aircraft airworthiness, fail-safe engineering, risk mitigation protocols, and operational safety to ensure that integration into the National Airspace System that meets the highest aviation safety standards.

The FAA Section 44807 exemption directly addresses surging demand from enterprise, public safety, and defense customers who require heavy-payload transport capabilities without compromising regulatory compliance. Heavy-lift operations are vital for automated cargo delivery, disaster relief supply distribution, specialized sensor deployments, critical infrastructure inspection, and defense logistics. By officially lifting the 55-pound restriction for the platform, Draganfly enables its customers to deploy heavier industrial payloads, advanced multi-sensor arrays, and vital equipment across complex operational environments throughout the United States.

“Obtaining an FAA Section 44807 exemption is one of the most demanding regulatory achievements in commercial unmanned aviation,” said Cameron Chell, President and CEO of Draganfly. “This approval underscores our engineering team’s steadfast dedication to manufacturing reliable, secure, and mission-critical systems. For our customers in emergency response, defense, and industrial logistics, payload capacity is directly tied to mission success. With this exemption, we are equipping our operators with the regulatory clearance and heavy-lift performance required to execute complex missions safely and effectively.”

Engineered for durability and versatile payload integration, the Draganfly Heavy Lift platform features industrial-grade flight controllers, redundant avionics, and modular mounting systems capable of carrying substantial payloads across long-range operational profiles. The platform is designed to support a wide range of use cases, including rapid delivery of medical supplies in remote areas, tactical defense logistics, powerline and utility maintenance, and aerial surveys requiring multi-sensor payloads.

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8) is a leader in cutting-edge drone solutions and software that are transforming industries and serving stakeholders globally. Recognized for innovation and excellence for over 25 years, Draganfly delivers award-winning technology to the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspection, security, mapping, and surveying markets. The Company is driven by passion, ingenuity, and a mission to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to customers worldwide, saving time, money, and lives.

For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.

For investor details, visit:
NASDAQ (DPRO)
CSE (DPRO)
FSE (3U8A)

Media Contact
Erika Racicot
Email: media@draganfly.com 

Company Contact
Cameron Chell
Chief Executive Officer
(306) 955-9907
info@draganfly.com 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company's current expectations and assumptions regarding regulatory compliance, platform capabilities, and commercial adoption. Actual results and events could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties affecting the business and industry. Draganfly undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What FAA approval did Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) receive for its Heavy Lift drone in September 2026?

Draganfly received an FAA Section 44807 Special Authority exemption for its Heavy Lift drone, allowing operations above the 55-pound limit. According to Draganfly, this follows a rigorous review of airworthiness, fail-safe architecture, safety protocols, and risk mitigation for integration into the National Airspace System.

What does the FAA Section 44807 exemption allow Draganfly’s Heavy Lift drone to do beyond Part 107 limits?

The exemption permits Draganfly and authorized operators to fly the Heavy Lift platform at maximum takeoff weights exceeding 55 pounds. According to Draganfly, this enables heavier industrial payloads, multi-sensor arrays, and vital equipment deployments for cargo, disaster relief, defense logistics, and infrastructure inspection in U.S. operations.

How could Draganfly’s FAA Section 44807 exemption impact commercial use cases for DPRO drones?

The exemption expands potential heavy-lift missions such as automated cargo delivery, disaster relief supplies, and tactical defense logistics. According to Draganfly, the Heavy Lift platform is engineered for durable, long-range operations, supporting medical deliveries, powerline and utility maintenance, and aerial surveys requiring complex multi-sensor payloads across diverse environments.

Why is the FAA Section 44807 approval considered a milestone for Draganfly’s Heavy Lift platform?

Draganfly describes Section 44807 approval as one of commercial unmanned aviation’s most demanding regulatory achievements. According to Draganfly, the process validates airworthiness, redundant avionics, fail-safe design, and safety procedures, providing operators with regulatory clearance to conduct complex heavy-payload missions while maintaining compliance with aviation safety standards.

What technical features support Draganfly’s Heavy Lift drone operations under the FAA 44807 exemption?

The Heavy Lift platform includes industrial-grade flight controllers, redundant avionics, and modular payload mounting systems for substantial loads. According to Draganfly, these features support long-range operational profiles and versatile payload integration, enabling missions that require advanced sensor suites and critical equipment transport in challenging conditions and locations.

Which industries might benefit from Draganfly’s Heavy Lift drone FAA exemption (DPRO)?

Industries such as emergency response, defense, industrial logistics, utilities, and surveying may use the Heavy Lift platform. According to Draganfly, heavy-payload capability is important for medical supply delivery, defense logistics, powerline and utility maintenance, and multi-sensor aerial surveys that require robust, long-range drone operations.