About Agricultural Aviation

Facts About the Aerial Application Industry

SIZE

  • There are approximately 1,350 aerial application businesses in the United States and 1,430 non-operator pilots.
  • Of those 1,350 businesses, 94% of the owners are also pilots.
  • NAAA represents more than 1,800 members.
  • According to NAAA records, aerial application operations are located in 44 states—all but Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.

IMPORTANCE

About Agricultural Aviation

Agricultural aviation is an important part of the overall aviation and agriculture industries. The industry consists of small businesses and pilots that use aircraft to aid farmers in producing a safe, affordable and abundant supply of food, fiber and biofuel. Aerial applicators protect forestry and play an important role in protecting the public by combating mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus, encephalitis and other diseases.

Importance of Aerial Application on Cotton

Learn more about the symbiotic relationship between agricultural aviation and cotton in "The Cotton Connection."

Citrus: Small Niche Market Facing Big Problems

Author: 
Mary Lou Jay, Writer for Agricultural Aviation Magazine

Agricultural aviation plays a small but important role in the production of citrus fruits, which are a welcome addition to the American diet during the fall, winter and spring months. Although oranges, tangerines, tangelos, grapefruit, lemons and limes are grown commercially in four states, Florida is by far the largest producer in the U.S., providing 7.5 million tons in 2004–2005. In that same year, California grew only 3.3 million tons, Texas .33 tons and Arizona just .12 tons.

Changes in Rice Production Mean Longer Days for Aerial Applicators

Author: 
Mary Lou Jay, Writer for Agricultural Aviation Magazine

Rice was introduced into the Carolinas in the late 17th century and has been grown in the United States ever since. Today U.S. farmers raise the crop on more than 3.3 million acres spread among six regions: Arkansas’s Grand Prairie; the Mississippi River Delta; California’s Sacramento Valley; northeastern Arkansas and Missouri’s “boot heel”; the Coastal Prairie of Texas; and southwest Louisiana.

Commodity Close-ups

Aerial application is an important part of production agriculture. Farmers and growers depend on aerial applicators to protect and support all sorts of crops, including corn, wheat, cotton, processed vegetables and more. Periodically, NAAA takes a closer look at a specific commodity and the important role aerial application plays in its production. In the articles along the left-hand menu, you will learn about corn, cotton, rice, citrus and more.

Additional Resources

National Agricultural Aviation Museum

AgAir Update

USDA-ARS Aerial Application Technology Group

History of Agricultural Aviation

In 1996, aerial applicators celebrated the 75th anniversary of the first time an airplane was used to deposit insecticide.

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