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Table of Contents
- Federal Legislation Reopening U.S. Government Enacted; Includes Language Supporting USDA Aerial Application Research
- USAIG Adds Ag Pilot Simulator Training to its Performance Vector Benefits Program
- Top 10 Tips for Success at the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo
- Bid on Great Auction Items at NAAA Live Auction on November 18; Letter of Credit Required for PT6A-34AG Engine
- Beware of Fraudulent Scam Callers Using NAAA Name to Obtain Funds
- The New NAAA 365 App Puts Industry Resources at Your Fingertips
Federal Legislation Reopening U.S. Government Enacted; Includes Language Supporting USDA Aerial Application Research
A vote to end the record-long 43-day U.S. government shutdown passed last night and was signed by President Trump. The legislation keeping the government open will expire January 30, 2026, hopefully giving time for certain House and Senate Appropriations Committees time to finish their Fiscal Year 2026 bills. The 2026 Fiscal Year runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
In addition to the standard continuing resolution language that punts the funding deadline, the measure includes a legislative package to fund the Department of Agriculture and the FDA, the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects, and the operations of Congress for the entire 2026 fiscal year. This is good news because the legislation includes within its committee report—thanks to NAAA’s policy advocacy efforts—language supportive of the Aerial Application Technology Research Unit (AATRU) within USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The supportive language reads as follows:
Aerial Application — The Committee recognizes the importance of aerial application to control crop pests and diseases and to fertilize and seed crops and forests. Aerial application is useful not only to ensure overall food safety and food security, but also to promote public health through improved mosquito control and public health application techniques. The Committee urges ARS to prioritize research focused on optimizing aerial spray technologies for on-target deposition and drift mitigation and to work cooperatively with the Environmental Protection Agency to update their pesticide review methodology.
NAAA has been successful in including this language and support for federally funded aerial application research in federal agricultural appropriations bills for over a quarter of a century. The language sends a clear signal to the USDA to keep the program alive and well.
USAIG Adds Ag Pilot Simulator Training to its Performance Vector Benefits Program
On Monday, USAIG announced that it will include simulator-based training for fixed-wing agricultural aviation pilots, offered through Turbine Training Center (TTC), as one of the options in its Performance Vector program. Performance Vector benefits are available to most USAIG policyholders who insure a turbine-powered aircraft or place multiple policies with USAIG. Each eligible policy can select and receive one program option annually to enhance organizational loss control and safety efforts.
When a policyholder selects TTC for its annual safety benefit, USAIG issues a ‘Safety Bucks’ certificate to TTC confirming it will pay up to $2,500 of fixed-wing ag pilot training fees incurred by the policyholder within 12 months of the certificate’s issuance. This gives operators flexibility to schedule training around their operation’s schedule. One certificate per year can be issued for an eligible operator, but it must be requested and issued within each policy term, and in all cases, prior to training taking place. Eligibility refreshes with each annual policy renewal, but unclaimed benefits do not accrue or carry over into subsequent policy years.
“Aerial applicators are vital to modern agriculture and represent an important business segment for USAIG,” said Ken Nielsen, Underwriting V.P. and Agricultural Aviation Business Line Manager.
Aerial applicators work close to the ground, demanding high proficiency from pilots, as well as risk factors including long hours in changing locations, coupled with surges in work tempo triggered by the growing cycles of various crops. Nielsen continued, “Aerial applicators have unique needs and many options in our safety program that are geared more toward corporate jet operations, just aren’t as relevant to their specialized operations. So, in Spring 2025, we integrated TTC’s Air Tractor simulator courses for ag pilots into the program to ensure our ag policies have an option focused on them.”
TTC President Jason Wolcott said, “It’s been great having the first half-dozen-or-so trainees come through our ag simulator course using USAIG’s Performance Vector subsidy. Having most of a pilot’s tuition funded by their insurer is a meaningful incentive that’s enabling more operators to experience the high quality and impact of our training.” TTC has training programs for both experienced pilots and low-time turbine transitioning pilots. If you are a USAIG customer, check with your broker, underwriter, or policy documents to confirm eligibility. For more information, click here.
Top 10 Tips for Success at the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo
We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo in Reno, Nevada, your one-stop shop for networking, education and professional development, and fun! Follow these steps to have a successful visit in Reno:
- Registration opens Sunday, Nov. 16, in the Atlantis Hotel on the second floor across from the Bistro Napa restaurant. Hours are listed below, and locations are in the NAAA 365 App or print program onsite. Fees are available here.
- Sunday, Nov. 16: 12–6 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 17: 7 a.m.–6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 18: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 19: 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
2. Download our NAAA 365 App which is the most up-to-date program on-site.
3. No App? No Problem. Pick up a printed Expo Program and attendee bag with sponsor giveaways at registration
4. Earn CEUs! Currently, over two dozen states are offering CEUs for the Aerial Application Technology Research Session, and some states are offering credits for education sessions. CEUs are also being offered for Certified Crop Advisors. Don’t forget to bring your license (we cannot submit your attendance without the license number)! Visit the NAAA website and the app to view the states offering CEUs. Don’t pass up the opportunity to learn about new technologies, programs, and services in the industry.
5. Educate yourself at the Kickoff Breakfast, General Session and many other education sessions. View the schedule here. Hear from Ray Starling, former Ag Advisor to President Trump, at the Kickoff Breakfast. The General Session, featuring a panel of industry experts on the ag aviation economy and economist Allan Gray, will feature a discussion on the ag aviation economy.
6. Visit the NAAA Trade Show! Explore 140+ exhibitors and six aircraft on the floor to conduct business and discover the latest products and services.
7. New and low-time ag pilots, attend Compaass Rose on Sunday and “Ask the Expert” Speed Mentoring on Monday afternoon. These sessions are designed specifically for those interested in the industry or for those with five or fewer years of experience. This is your opportunity to connect with industry veterans in a small setting.
8. Ladies and other support personnel! The Ag Aviation Expo isn’t just for men. Check out the fun Support Committee Programming to network, learn from other support staff in the industry, and have some fun, including Monday’s food and wine pairing event and Wednesday’s Relationship Drift and Athena presentations.
9. Purchase equipment, parts, services and even goodies you might need while supporting NAAA programs at the Live and Silent Auctions. The Live Auction begins Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., and the Silent Auction runs from 12. p.m. Tuesday until 2 p.m. Wednesday at Booth #969. If you plan on bidding on the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG turboprop engine, please provide a letter of credit to Deana Kissinger.
10. Connect with old friends and new ones during the Kickoff Breakfast (sponsored by BASF), Welcome Reception (sponsored by UPL North America), Transland Breakfast, Live Auction Reception (sponsored by Syngenta), Pratt & Whitney Reception, Farewell Reception and Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet.
Bid on Great Auction Items at NAAA Live Auction on November 18; Letter of Credit Required for PT6A-34AG Engine
Thank you to the many companies that support ag pilots and their operations, as well as the industry, through donating items for the Live and Silent Auctions at the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo. The money raised from these items supports NAAA government advocacy, public relations and educational programs. To donate an item to the live or silent auction, contact Amy May.
In addition to the generous donation of a brand-new PT6A-34AG turboprop engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada, bid on:
- Custom 4-passenger golf cart donated by Air Tractor
- Full AFS Corr Essential Boom System: For any aircraft (402, 502, 602, 802 Air Tractor or 510, 710 Thrush), donated by AeroFlow Systems
- Single-point fueling system, donated by Turbine Conversions
- Quail hunting trip for two donated by Thrush
- One set of stainless steel booms of customer’s choice (502, 602, 802 or Thrush) donated by Transland
- Daniel Defense semi-automatic rifle, DDM4V7 Pro Series, 223 Remington/556NATO, 18″ barrel, 1:7 twist, 32 round, 1 magazine and Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro 2-16X Thermal Scope, 640 x 480, donated by Diversified Applications
- Several training courses, products for your aircraft and business, pistols and rifles
Join us for the Live Auction & Reception on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on the NAAA Trade Show floor. All are welcome to enjoy the auction, and food and beverages sponsored by Syngenta. The Silent Auction bidding will be open Tuesday and Wednesday during NAAA Trade Show hours.
Pratt & Whitney Canada Engine Details
Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for its generous donation of a brand-new PT6A-34AG turboprop engine. The engine is valued at $735,000. The engine build specification is 1334, used on the Air Tractor, Thrush and Turbine Conversions STC. The winning bidder is required to pay $20,000 down on-site, and the remainder of the payment is due within 30 days. Please provide a letter of credit from a financial institution to Deana Kissinger.
Beware of Fraudulent Scam Callers Using NAAA Name to Obtain Funds
NAAA received notification that a member answered a call from a scammer stating that they were calling to collect money on behalf of NAAA. THIS IS A SCAM; DO NOT PAY FOR ANYTHING OVER THE PHONE FOR NAAA UNLESS YOU’RE CALLING OUR OFFICE DIRECTLY AT 202-546-5722.
You can also verify if you owe money for NAAA membership or convention items by logging into your account. There are several reports of entities trying to scam people in a variety of ways through phone calls and emails; do not fall victim to these scams.
If you are unsure if a phone call or email is legitimately from NAAA, please feel free to email information@agaviation.org for clarification. Also, as a reminder, any message from the NAAA will come directly from NAAA with the “@agaviation.org” lettering, such as information@agaviation.org or a staff member’s email address.
The New NAAA 365 App Puts Industry Resources at Your Fingertips
Do you want the latest information onsite at this year’s 2025 Ag Aviation Expo in Reno? We have it for you on the NAAA 365 App, featuring the most up-to-date event details right on your device! Our mobile app enhances your pre-Expo, onsite, and post-Expo experience, allowing attendees who prefer not to carry a paper program to access all NAAA Ag Aviation Expo information digitally. It is also the most up-to-date schedule and resource for the Ag Aviation Expo. The NAAA 365 App will serve as our official event app moving forward, keeping you connected year-round with the latest updates and resources. If you have any questions about the app, please contact Amy May.
In the future, you’ll have the ability to use NAAA 365 for membership, expo registration, reading publications, etc.
Download Instructions
- From iTunes or Google Play, search for and download the NAAA 365 App and follow the setup instructions using your NAAA website login credentials as your login and passcode. When asked, select the blue circle 🔵 button below “preferred address.”
App Features
- Notifications about networking opportunities and event updates are sent directly to your device throughout the event.
- Essential meeting details and updates are accessible year-round.
- Find “Events” at the bottom of the app to access the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo or Board Meetings.
- Create your personal agenda by adding sessions to your calendar with the “+” button.
- View meeting schedules, agendas, and locations in advance directly in the app.
- Expo trade show map and exhibitor list.
- A full list of CEUs available at NAAA Expo.
- Auction items and companies supporting NAAA and the aerial application industry through sponsorship.
In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter
Click here for the November 6, 2025 eNewsletter to read:
- NAAA Member Marcus Crutchfield Promotes Ag Aviation in His Local Commodity Publication
- Beware of Fraudulent Scam Callers Using NAAA Name to Obtain Funds
- 11th Annual Ag Aviation Golf Tournament Success
- Boost Your Safety Skills Around Wires and Proper Aircraft Maneuvering; Sign up for NAAA’s Ag Aviation Safety Training Day, Nov. 15 at the Ag Aviation Expo
- The New NAAA 365 App Puts Industry Resources at Your Fingertips
- NAAA Offers Healthcare Options to NAAA Members