Media Center

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.”

On March 11, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a Safety Alert to warn pilots of low-flying aircraft about the dangers associated with unmarked towers built to record weather observations. Many Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs) fall just below the 200-foot Federal Aviation Administration threshold for obstruction markings and can be difficult to see from the air. That's a dangerous proposition for aircraft conducting low-flight operations, including aerial applicators, emergency medical helicopters, law enforcement and other low-level activities. NAAA applauds the NTSB's actions and in particular its suggestion that the FAA institute mandatory application and marking requirements for METs under 200 feet.

Agricultural aviation operations across the country are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of their aircraft. With the 2011 application season in full swing, the public can take comfort in the fact that aerial applicators are committed to safeguarding homeland security and want nothing less than to make it through another safe and successful season.