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NAAA Visits Key Leaders at Helena and National Cotton Council, Continuing Its Promotion of Aerial Application to Key User Groups and Pesticide Manufacturers

Earlier this week NAAA visited with key leaders at Helena Agri-Enterprises and the National Cotton Council in Western Tennessee as part of NAAA’s ongoing efforts to inform and incorporate the support of pesticide manufacturers and key users of agricultural aviation services. Helena Agri-Enterprises sells and applies inputs, including its own line of products that include adjuvants, pesticides, and fertilizers that improve agricultural productivity. Helena subsidiary, Diversified Applications, is one of the largest aerial application operations in the country in terms of individual operations and aircraft in its fleet and applies in multiple states. The National Cotton Council represents cotton growers throughout the United States. Cotton ranks as the fifth most treated crop by aerial applicators throughout the country with 34.1% of operators treating it, according to NAAA’s 2019 Industry Survey.

At both the meetings with Helena and the National Cotton Council, NAAA discussed its advocacy to the EPA of the more robust and accurate Tier 3 version of the atmospheric model AgDRIFT, which has resulted in preserving numerous aerial uses of pesticide products. NAAA also discussed its involvement in retrofitting the AGDISP atmospheric model to allow for more drift reduction technology inputs to be added to the model’s calculus of drift which will also help labeling of aerial use on pesticide products and, ultimately, may lead to site specific, real-time modeling of applications in the cockpit rather than a one-size-fits-all, overly restrictive aerial label that doesn’t reward applicators that incorporate drift reduction technologies or techniques into their application practices. NAAA also advocated for support of many of its networking and safety and stewardship educational programs.
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NAAA Cautions Hobbyist and Professional Drone Operators Not to Interfere with Low-Altitude Manned Agricultural Aircraft This Growing Season

With another growing season getting underway at a time when aerial application services are expected to be in high demand, on Tuesday, NAAA sent a news release to aviation and agricultural media outlets advising uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operators to be mindful of low-flying manned agricultural aircraft operations. NAAA has several prospective interviews with major media establishments over the next week to discuss this topic on their widely circulated mediums.

The press release recommends that uncrewed aircraft operators:

  • Give the right of way to a manned aircraft. It’s the law.
  • Equip drones with visible strobe lights, highly visible markings and tracking technology, like an ADS-B In system.
  • Be certified and well-trained in operating an uncrewed aircraft.
  • Contact local agricultural aviation operations before flying by consulting the Find An Aerial Applicator database.
  • Land your uncrewed aircraft immediately when a low-flying aircraft is nearby.
  • Carry uncrewed aircraft liability insurance.

“With the growing number of drones over the last few years, it is critical for their operators to be aware of low-flying, manned agricultural aircraft,” Moore said in the news release. “It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for manned aircraft to see a drone while conducting crop-enhancing and other aerial applications 10 feet off the ground at speeds as fast as 140 mph. We encourage professional and hobbyist drone operators to keep this in mind to ensure a safe 2024 growing season.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reminding UAS users to keep safety in mind during their annual Drone Safety Day on Saturday, April 27. According to the FAA, “Drones are the fastest-growing segment of aviation in the U.S. As of October, there are nearly 864,000 drones registered with the FAA, and over 330,000 certified Remote Pilots. These numbers are projected to continue to grow.”

This is the eighth year NAAA has reached out to the media regarding safe drone operations heading into the spring growing season.
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NAAA Board Overwhelming Votes in Support of Establishing Drone Committee to Better Ensure Overall Aerial Application Safety and Efficacy

Earlier this week voting closed on an NAAA Board election to establish an Uncrewed Aerial Application System (UAAS) Committee to advise the Board on drone issues. A majority of the board supported the measure—an overwhelming 93% of those voting. The decision to establish such a committee stems from concern over airspace safety as the number of drones grows and concern about drone application licensing and efficacy is growing. These concerns are shared by both manned aerial application operations and also more established drone operations that want to ensure a professional image of all aerial application services. The purpose of the UAAS Committee is to reach both manned and unmanned aircraft operations on these issues of safety and environmental professionalism and to develop educational programs and public policy initiatives of mutual interest to both forms of aerial application. The formation of the UAAS Committee will be balanced between crewed and uncrewed NAAA members and all policies proposed will go to the board for final approval. The specific language of the establishment of the UAAS Committee is as follows:

Uncrewed Aerial Application Systems Committee

  • MEMBERSHIP – Members of the Uncrewed Aerial Application Systems (UAAS) Committee shall be appointed by the NAAA President for a term of one year consisting of an equal number of members in the uncrewed or hybrid-crewed aerial application space and the crewed aerial application operations space. The NAAA President shall appoint the Chairman.
  • COMMITTEE AUTHORITY – The UAAS Committee operates under the jurisdiction of the Board of Directors and all recommendations, program directives and actions shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for ratification before becoming official NAAA policy.
  • COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES – The UAAS Committee shall have responsibility of developing public policy proposals that include enhancing the safety of the airspace shared by crewed and uncrewed application aircraft. It will also have input facilitating the development and regulatory use of atmospheric models forecasting the movement of applied materials from both crewed and uncrewed aircraft application systems.
  • The UAAS Committee will have the responsibility of developing educational curriculum direction focused on professionalism, proper licensing, aviation safety, application efficacy, and environmental stewardship for the uncrewed aerial application systems community for NAAA and NAAREF consideration at educational events, virtual and live; the NAAA convention; and within NAAA and NAAREF publications and virtual mediums.
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NAAREF to Host Fourth Annual In-Season Safety Session on June 3; Register In Advance

NAAREF will host an in-season safety session on June 3 at 8 p.m. CDT with a small panel of PAASS presenters. The topics will include current trends in ag accidents, good mentoring practices, and other topics of interest to participants. The safety session will be presented via a Zoom webinar. Please attend the NAAREF safety session and spread the word to others. As we enter the busiest time of the season it’s critical to keep safety at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts.

NAAREF held the first in-season safety session in 2021 after the ag aviation industry had suffered five fatal accidents by the end of May. The safety sessions are intended to bring safety to the forefront of ag aviators’ minds just before the busy part of the spraying season occurs. Past topics covered include avoiding wire strikes, mentorship, helicopter operations, and avoiding mid-air collisions. You can view recordings of prior NAAREF Safety Sessions, as well as other great safety videos, on NAAA’s Safety and Education Videos webpage.
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Peter Spyres Lost in Fatal Ag Accident

NAAA is saddened to report that Peter Spyres lost his life in an ag aviation accident on April 9, 2024. The accident occurred just south of Alturas, CA. Peter was born in Woodland, CA on October 5, 1954, and was 69 years old at the time of his death. He lived his entire life in Arbuckle, CA.

Peter earned both his A&P and pilot’s license at Sacramento City College. He loved to fly and spent 40 years flying ag, piloting both airplanes and helicopters during his career. He was also a rice farmer who later transitioned into growing almonds.

Peter is survived by his girlfriend, three children, six grandchildren, a sister and brother, two nephews, and a niece. His visitation was held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the McNary-Moore Chapel in Colusa, California. Peter’s funeral Mass was held the following day at Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was buried in Arbuckle Catholic Cemetery with a reception afterward at the Arbuckle fire Hall.

Memorial contributions in Peter’s name may be made to the Arbuckle Fire Department, P.O. Box 727 Arbuckle, California 95912. Click here to view his full obituary. The members and staff of NAAA offer their condolences to Peter’s family and friends. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn his passing.
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Aerial Drift Mock Trial & The Ins and Outs of H2A at the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo General Session

The NAAA Ag Aviation Expo General Session will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19 in Fort Worth, TX, and will feature a mock trial presented by the law firm of Anderson & Riddle, LLP. The attorneys at Anderson & Riddle have been representing aerial applicators in all types of matters for over 31 years. Founding partner Geff Anderson handled his first drift claim in 1993. Partner Shannon Dugan has represented aerial applicators for her entire career. The mock trial will present a direct and cross-examination of a pilot and an expert witness in an aerial drift case.

Anderson has substantial experience in trials and appeals in the state and federal courts of Texas. He has also represented clients in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Washington as well as lead counsel on Appeal to the 5th, 6th, and 8th Circuits of the United States of America. His practice includes complex commercial litigation, product liability, aviation as well as catastrophic personal injury and death cases, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.

The General Session’s second segment will focus on the H2A Program. Noah Parr is the Director of the Farm Labor Contractor Department for USA Farm Labor. He grew up in Lakeland, Florida, and always had a passion for aviation, stemming from the Sun ‘n Fun fly-in that his family attended annually. He turned that passion into education and during his high school years, attended Central Florida Aerospace Academy at the Lakeland Linder Airport. Although he never formally pursued aviation as a career, it remained a portion of his life beyond high school between volunteering at airshows, becoming a commercially licensed drone pilot, and now helping provide reliable labor to agricultural aviation employers nationwide.

Parr will present on utilizing the H2A program to assist agricultural aviation employers nationwide to properly staff their businesses. He will discuss what it takes to qualify for the program and its various benefits and pitfalls. He will also discuss intentions of growing the H2A sector for agricultural aviation and what that will mean for your business for years to come.

View the full schedule of events and mark your calendar to register in July.

Details for the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo

  • Dates: Nov. 18-21, 2024
  • Location: Fort Worth Convention Center and Omni (across the street from Convention Center)
  • Kickoff Breakfast Speaker: Kevin Humphreys, War Veteran, PTSD Counselor, Mental Health Ambassador
  • Schedule of Events: See the current, tentative schedule here
  • NAAA Hotel Room Block: Details here
  • Attendee Registration: Details here
  • Exhibitor Booth Sales Open July 11
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: View the sponsorships opportunities here. We have sponsorships available for all budget sizes. Please email Lindsay Barber if you would like to secure a sponsorship or learn more!
  • Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a PT6-34AG to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. While we are still several months away from the Ag Aviation Expo, we are already accepting donations for the Live and Silent Auction. The earlier you inform us of your auction donation, the more advertising you will receive on the NAAA website and in NAAA publications. Support the aerial application industry by donating an item today.
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The FAA has proposed adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus AS350 and AS355 Helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of debonding on the leading edge protection of certain part-numbered main rotor blades (MRBs). 

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued EASA AD 2022-0246 in December 2022 to address this unsafe condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to significant unbalance of the main rotor, a high level of vibration, failure of the main rotor, failure of the main gearbox, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA’s proposed AD would require accomplishing actions specified in the EASA AD, namely repetitive tap inspections of affected MRBs and repair or replacement as necessary in accordance with Airbus Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS350-05.01.07 or AS355-05.00.91 as applicable.

You can view the Proposed AD here. Comments are due May 31, 2024.
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2024 Operation S.A.F.E. Analyst Training to be Held at Delta State University

There will be an Operation S.A.F.E. analyst training this fall held at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS:
– Dates: Check-in is September 30 and Class is October 1-4
– Location – Delta State University, Cleveland MS
– Additional details coming soon.
Contact Dennis Gardisser to register at (501) 676-1762‬‬.
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NAAA Seeking State/Regional Association Candidates for 2025 Leadership Training Program; Program Dates Feb. 3-6, 2025

Congratulations to the 2024 Leadership Training Program graduates.

Since 1995, NAAA has offered a Leadership Training Program (LTP) sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection. More than 365 NAAA members have benefited from this training over the course of 28 leadership classes, including NAAA’s 2024 graduates. The program includes training that enables its participants to develop a strong ability to clearly communicate the important role aerial application plays in the production of our country’s agricultural products to the public, media and government. The training also involves teaching managerial philosophy to help the participants in their own businesses and to more effectively serve as a leader while serving industry organizations, such as NAAA and state agricultural aviation associations.

The February 2025 NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings will take place in Montreal, Canada, which will not allow for Leadership Training Program participants to be trained in visiting with congressional leaders in person on Capitol Hill, which is one of the primary goals of the course. Because of that, NAAA and Syngenta have agreed that the 2025 program participants will attend Syngenta’s larger Leadership At Its Best (LAIB) program February 3-6, 2025 (this is a change from last week’s email stating the program would take place February 10-13, 2025). LAIB participants receive the same training that they would receive during the NAAA Leadership Training Program with the added benefit of meeting participants from other commodity groups and ag associations. Due to the size of LAIB, NAAA will only have four seats for the 2025 LAIB program with the plan that Syngenta will provide a larger NAAA-only leadership training program once again in 2026 when our February NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings are located back in Alexandria, VA.

To select the four applicants for the 2025 LAIB program, each state/regional association, plus the Canadian Aerial Applicators Association, may submit one candidate of their choice for possible entry into the program. Since the number of applicants will likely exceed the number of positions available, a selection committee will be formed by the NAAA President to select the four most qualified candidates.

How to Apply for the Leadership Training Program
If you would like to be considered for the 2025 Leadership Training Program, contact your state or regional association executive director. NAAA’s state/regional agricultural aviation association partners can only nominate one candidate for the 2025 Leadership Training Program. Applications must be submitted by July 15.
Criteria and selection process information are as follows:

  • Industry Involvement – Must be involved in an agricultural aviation business or a related allied industry organization as deemed appropriate by the nominating state/regional AAA. This includes partial or total ownership of at least one agricultural aircraft; and/or a managing employee, stockholder or pilot of an agricultural aviation business; and/or an employee of an Allied Industry member company or State Association.
  • Leadership Involvement – Must have leadership experience developed from past involvement in regional or state industry associations, community service involvement, and/or school or professional organizations.
    Industry Future – Must indicate intent of future involvement in the aerial application industry.
  • NAAA Membership – Must be a member of the appropriate state/regional agricultural aviation association and NAAA in the applicant’s own right—both in 2024 and 2025. Acceptable NAAA membership categories that a Leadership Training candidate could come from include: Operators, Pilots, Affiliated Operators, Support, International Members (in the case of Canadian AAA), Allied Industry Members and Affiliated Allied Industry Members, and State/Regional Organization Members.

    If you have any questions about the 2025 NAAA/Syngenta Leadership Training Program, please contact Lindsay Barber.
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