EPA Implements “Final” Pesticide NPDES General Permit

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted on its website its final Pesticide NPDES General Permit (PGP) Monday, Oct. 31, consistent with the 6th Circuit Court’s deadline. NAAA has developed a comprehensive overview of the permit detailing the impacts of the new permit on aerial applicators. The Association has also developed a number of documents bulleted below to aid aerial applicators in complying with the permits.

Mark Hartz of Almyra, Ark., Elected 2012 NAAA President

The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is pleased to announce that Mark Hartz of Almyra, Ark., has been elected President of NAAA for 2012. Hartz is the co-owner of Grand Prairie Dusters Inc., a two-airplane operation that has been in business for 23 years. Serving with Hartz on the 2012 NAAA officer team are Vice President Leif Isaacson of Terreton, Idaho, Secretary Gaylon Stamps of Panhandle, Texas, and Treasurer Kyle Scott of Fort Morgan, Colo.

NAAA 2012 Hotel Registration Information

NAAA is heading back to Savannah, Ga., for its 46th Annual Convention & Exposition! Although the 2012 Convention is several months away, it’s never  too early to book your stay in Savannah. Room blocks are now open at NAAA’s three main hotels: the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, located on the convention center side of the Savannah River, and the Hyatt Regency Savannah and Marriott Savannah Riverfront, located city side where Savannah’s shops, restaurants and attractions are. If you have a hotel preference, we strongly suggest reserving your room(s) early. NAAA’s host hotels sold out quickly in 2010. A dedicated website has been set up to book your stay at any of NAAA’s hotels.

NAAA Experiences Record-Setting Convention in Las Vegas

NAAA’s 45th Annual Convention & Exposition is now history and will be remembered as the most heavily attended convention since the late 1990s. The recent records set at 2010’s convention in Savannah were broken at NAAA’s “Ag Aviation, America’s Winning Hand” show in Las Vegas. Numbers in nearly every category increased, including attendance, exhibitors, hotel space, auction proceeds and sponsorships. Thank you to everyone who made the 2011 Convention such a success!

FAA Releases Guidance on Marking MET Towers

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released the long-awaited guidance for marking MET towers less than 200 feet above ground level (AGL) in remote and rural areas. NAAA is very pleased to report that the comments provided by members and the Association have yielded guidance favorable to agricultural aviation. The FAA agrees that marking these structures would enhance the conspicuity of these METs, particularly for low-level agricultural operations.”

NAAA, NAAREF and Syngenta Collaborate on Stewardship Brochure

NAAA and NAAREF have partnered with Syngenta on an Aerial Applicator Edition of the “50 Ways to Treat Your Pesticide” brochure. The brochure covers basic pesticide stewardship principles important to aerial applicators and is not specific to any geography, target site or product.

NAAA President Richter Discusses GPS’s Importance to Ag Aviation on NPR

Agricultural aviation is at the center of an NPR piece that examines the controversy surrounding a Virginia-based satellite company’s plans to build a powerful new broadband wireless network amid fears it will lead to widespread GPS interference across the country. Listeners of the popular NPR news show “All Things Considered” gained insight into the high-tech world of agricultural aviation when NAAA President Rick Richter explained how essential GPS technology has become for the industry. Millions of Americans tune in to “All Things Considered” each day.

Ag Aviators Express Concerns Over New Reality TV Series

A controversial reality TV program airing in Canada is living up to its name by sparking concern and outrage within the aerial application industry over the harm it could do to the industry’s reputation. “Dust Up” is a new reality TV series that debuted June 2 on the History Television network in Canada. The show revolves around three “maverick” crop dusters in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. NAAA is aware of at least two or three other crop-dusting concepts that are being shopped around. NAAA cautions aerial applicators to be extremely guarded if approached about a reality TV “opportunity.”

Let's Be Fair About Sharing The Air

The airspace aerial applicators work in is becoming increasingly obstructed by transmission lines, wind turbines and hard-to-see meteorological testing towers. That concerns the aerial application industry, not just in terms of safety, but also in terms of accessing farmers’ fields to treat their crops. In response, NAAA has launched a public outreach campaign to raise awareness about the worrisome effects of wind energy development on agriculture and aviation.

Wall Street Journal Examines Booming Aerial Application Business

For a small industry, aerial applicators landed some mighty big press. On Aug. 14, 2009, a front-page article in The Wall Street Journal examined the need for aerial application under the headline, “Flying Low is Flying High as Demand for Crop-Dusters Soars.” The article conveyed not only the need for new ag pilots but the skill it takes to become one.

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