Happy 104th Birthday Aerial Application Industry

On August 3, 2025, the aerial application industry turns 104 years old. It was on Aug. 3, 1921 when Lt. John A. Macready piloted a modified Curtiss JN-6 “Super Jenny” airplane while passenger Etienne Dormoy manually dispensed lead arsenate dust over catalpa trees in Ohio in a successful experiment to kill sphinx moth larvae. Less than 1% of the insects remained alive on the catalpa trees after six days of observation of the targeted area. The speed, efficiency and overwhelming effectiveness of the aerial dusting experiment spawned the birth of the agricultural aviation industry.

In preparation for the industry’s centennial, NAAA invested significant time and resources to raise agricultural aviation’s profile in the eyes of the public in unprecedented ways. Beyond educating the public about the industry’s essential work, NAAA emphasized how the industry evolved technologically over 10 decades and the exceptional ways in which aerial applicators help farmers provide a safe, affordable and abundant supply of food, fiber and bioenergy, and deliver lifesaving air support through public health spraying and aerial firefighting.  NAAA also developed a comprehensive book covering the industry’s amazing history which is available for you, your family, or your local library at www.agaviation.org/book.

Do your part in keeping the positive public relations from the centennial alive by attending local farm shows or school fairs and sharing more about the industry and showing the 9-minute version of the Aerial Applicators’ Growing Role documentary.

The future of agricultural aviation has never looked brighter due to its necessity, technological progression, and importance in maximizing yields while protecting the environment and preserving overall sustainability.