News and Publications

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.

News & Publications

Welcome to NAAA’s News & Publications section. A combination of open-access and premium content is available to NAAA members and visitors interested in the aerial application industry and the work NAAA is doing on its behalf. Please explore the resources listed in the contents on the left.

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 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.”

More Progress Made to Mark MET Towers Across the Country

With ag aviation’s busiest time of year at hand, NAAA is pleased to report positive steps being taken in California and North Dakota regarding MET tower marking requirements. Legislation (A.B. 511) that would mandate marking and lighting of meteorological towers under 200 feet was unanimously approved by the California Assembly and has been ordered to the Senate for committee assignment. In April, North Dakota enacted similar legislation. Beginning Aug. 1, all new MET towers will be required to be marked, while existing towers will have until 2014 to meet the marking requirements.

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