In Episode 31 of the DroneOn Show, we sit down with Eugene Punelli, a former crop-dusting company drone pilot turned independent operator out of Bakersfield, California. Eugene shares his real-world experience flying DJI T-50s (and soon a T-100) alongside traditional airplanes and helicopters in the heart of America’s breadbasket – California’s Central Valley. We dive deep into why California spray volumes run 5–10 gallons per acre and what that means for drone efficiency on massive fields of almonds, pistachios, carrots, grapes, corn, alfalfa, and cotton. He opens up about how growers are reacting to spray drones, the real tension (and mutual respect) between drone pilots and traditional ag pilots, and the advantages of night spraying in avoiding bees and heat. Eugene also breaks down California’s unique regulatory hurdles, including PCA requirements that make the state slower to adopt drones than the Midwest, and shares his bold plan to go independent with bigger drones, more trailers, and what equipment he’s buying next. Finally, we tackle the big question: Is it too late to start a drone spraying business in California in 2026? If you’ve ever wondered how drone spraying works on the West Coast versus the Corn Belt, this episode is gold.

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