2007-2008 PAASS Program Details

Agricultural Aviation’s Airfield Watch Program – “Ag Airfield Watch”
This module encourages operators to maintain a continuing awareness of security issues that our industry faces after the events of 9-11-01. It begins with a review of the highly successful NAAA Ag Airfield Watch program and emphasizes its effectiveness, simplicity and low cost to implement and operate. Actual procedures and ideas put to use by various operators will be explained and illustrated.

Human Factors in Agricultural Aviation – “Controlled Flight into Terrain Avoidance”
This module will concentrate on avoiding collisions with obstructions, while in flight, such as wires, towers, trees and any other objects that reside in the operating realm of the ag pilot. We will show obstructions and help the pilot predict potential hazardous situations and give tips on avoiding them. Twenty percent of the fatal accidents reported over the last ten years have involved collisions with power lines, poles or guy wires. Learn how to predict the presence of wires by knowledge of the way power lines are constructed. Fewer accidents involve collisions with towers but when the event occurs, it is usually fatal. 100% of the reported tower collisions in the last 10 years have been fatal. A fast growing consideration in the treatment of fields are “wind farms” with windmills reaching 420 feet into the sky. All of these subjects will be explored.

Spray Drift Reduction – “Anatomy of a Spray Complaint”
The Drift Mitigation module will help acquaint operators and pilots with the procedures that are put into motion whenever a SLA (state lead agency) receives a complaint involving a chemical application. Numerous state enforcement officials have volunteered their time to explain the procedures followed in their respective states. From this module, the attendee should learn what is required of them with regard to spray job preparation and documentation. The operator should know what rights they have in the legal process including appeals that may follow. The module will point out the pit-falls that can occur in legal compliance that can catch the applicator unaware.

Hangar Ag Flying – “Topics of Interest to Ag Operators”
The Hangar Ag Flying module will address the unpleasant subject of accidents that occurred during the year. A compilation of accident data and an in-depth study will be presented in an effort to prevent the occurrence of similar accidents in the future. Timely topics will be addressed in this module that serve to clarify rules, regulations and happenings.