ber 12, 20

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NAAA Celebrates Aerial Applicators on National Ag Day in Press Release to Media Picked up by Regional News Sources

The NAAA issued a press release to multiple news, agricultural and aviation media sources throughout the U.S. earlier this week highlighting the contributions of aerial applicators to agricultural production in celebration of National Ag Day which was March 18th, a day recognizing the significant contributions that farmers, ranchers, aerial applicators and the entire agriculture industry make to our daily lives.

The release resulted in NAAA being featured on North Dakota Borderland Press’ Ag Day Podcast. NAAA CEO Andrew Moore was interviewed and expressed appreciation for the vital role of aerial applicators in agriculture. He emphasized that the media campaign aims to raise public awareness about the significant contributions of aerial applicators in food, fiber, and biofuel production. Moore also shared that NAAA is honoring these professionals through press releases, social media, podcasts, and by attending Capitol Hill events.  Borderland Press is broadcast on KNDK (1080 kHz), an AM station out of Langdon, North Dakota.  To hear the interview click here and then choose Ag Day Borderland #2 from March 19, 2025.

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A Change in FAA Interpretation of FARs Results in New Inspection and Maintenance Requirements for Large Ag Aircraft; NAAA Offering Webinar March 26th to Clarify New Requirements

A new FAA interpretation has resulted in the AT-802/802A being classified as a “large aircraft” with respect to §FAR 91.409 and has resulted in Air Tractor being required to revise their AT-802/802A Owner’s Manual to remove language pertaining to Annual Inspections. The issue stems from a long-held assumption that the annual inspection requirement in §91.409(a) applied to the AT-802/AT-802A just as it did for all other ag aircraft. This assumption was held for over 30 years by aircraft manufacturers, operators, mechanics, and FAA inspectors. However, the FAA has now determined that §FAR 1.1 classifies AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft as Large Aircraft, making the assumption incorrect.

Large aircraft as defined by §FAR 1.1 are any aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 12,500 lb. With a maximum takeoff weight of 16,000 lb both the AT-802 and AT-802A are classified as large aircraft. As such, §91.409(e), §91.409(f)(3) and §91.409(f)(4) become applicable. These sections require that an AT-802 or AT-802A operator either follow Air Tractor’s inspection program as detailed in the AT-802/AT-802A Owner’s Manual or create their own inspection program which must be approved by the FAA.

This change in interpretation of the regulations required Air Tractor to change the inspection section of the AT-802/AT-802A Owner’s Manual. The 12/12/24 version of the manual has been updated to reflect this, as detailed in Air Tractor’s Service Information Letter No. 802-0118. Under the new FAA interpretation, the older version of the Owner’s Manual would have required the hour-based time inspections to be performed at the specified intervals instead of as part of an annual inspection; this is because they are part of the manufacturer’s recommended inspection program.

In recognition that AT-802 / AT-802A’s have been successfully maintained with an annual inspection program since 1993, Air Tractor reworded the Owner’s Manual to “suggest performing all of the inspections at the specified intervals” and that Air Tractor “recommends that all of the 12-month, 100-hour, 200-hour and 300-hour inspections be performed at least once every 12 months.” The “recommended” action of performing the inspections at least once every 12 months fulfills the requirements of §91.409(e), §91.409(f)(3).

This new interpretation of FAA’s rules is not limited to the AT-802/802A – it affects all ag aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight over 12,500 lb. There is, however, no change to inspection and maintenance requirements for ag aircraft at or under 12,500 lb maximum certificated takeoff weight and those aircraft can be maintained using the current Annual Inspection programs in place. Nor does this change add any requirements regarding engine or propeller TBO.

The FAA has verbally stated that there will a phase-in period to allow for proper education and give operators and mechanics time to get aircraft logbooks into accordance with the latest guidelines.  The FAA Flight Standards policy office has not made any comments or threats that any aircraft will be grounded as a result of their new interpretation. Air Tractor has been informed that the FAA has drafted an Information for Operators (InFO) letter that will be sent out to clarify their intent.  This letter has not yet been published or shared with anyone in industry.

To help AT-802/802A operators understand these changes, NAAA will be hosting a webinar on March 26, 2025, at 3:00 PM CDT. Panelists will include representatives from Air Tractor and the FAA who will discuss the new interpretation, the updates to the manual, and what it all means for inspections moving forward. Click here to register for the webinar.

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NAAA Participating in EPA & Congressional Staff Education Event in June

NAAA will participate in a congressional staff and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) demonstration event on June 11-12. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is organizing the event, which will take place at Bunker Hill Farm in Newberg, MD.

Along with NAAA staff, NAAA operator member Glenn Martin of Helicopter Applicators Inc. in Gettysburg, PA, will provide a helicopter and staff at the event. This is an excellent opportunity for NAAA to educate policymakers on agricultural aviation’s importance and environmental benefits.

The event offers EPA and congressional staff the opportunity to see the helicopter used for aerial applications and other farm equipment and technology up close to learn how the latest ag equipment, crop inputs, data, and technology work together to drive agriculture’s tradition of producing more with less.

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NAAA’s Lindsay Barber Quoted in National Convention Publication

NAAA’s Lindsay Barber, director of communications and meetings was quoted in the Association Conventions & Facilities magazine on the success of the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. The magazine is a source for association meeting planning management professionals and is read by 20,500 subscribers.

Barber and the Visit Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau staff were interviewed. When asked about NAAA’s selection of Fort Worth for an annual convention, Barber responded, “Fort Worth was selected due to the ease of getting to/from DFW and the size of the city. Our membership and convention attendees like to be the big fish in the small pond, and the city helped with that feeling. Many attendees requested a Texas convention in the past, due to the proximity of many of our members, and we were finally able to make it work.”

Regarding being asked about our attendee and exhibitor experience, Barber responded, “They enjoyed the ease of getting from their hotels to the convention center, as well as to the restaurants, bars and various entertainment districts, such as the Sundance Square and the Stockyards.” Read the article here and scroll down to the Fort Worth section.

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NAAA Seeks Stories to Highlight the Impact of Ag Aviation Industry

NAAA is committed to sharing newsworthy stories and social media posts that showcase the contributions of the agricultural aviation industry and our members. However, we can’t do it alone and that’s where you come in.

NAAA encourages state or regional associations, NAAA members, and industry insiders to submit stories that bring positive attention to the vital work being done across the country because we know many of you are doing a lot in your communities to raise awareness about the industry. Whether it’s exhibiting at a local or state farm show, school job fair or community outreach initiative or a groundbreaking innovation. These stories play an essential role in educating the public and highlighting the importance of ag aviation in American agriculture.

If you have news to share from your local area or state, NAAA invites you to submit it for consideration. Not only could your story be shared with a broad audience, but it would also be an opportunity to recognize those working tirelessly to advance and protect the ag aviation industry.
For more information on how to submit a story, please contact Amy May with NAAA at Amay@agaviation.org.

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In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the March 13, 2025 eNewsletter to read:

  • NAAA Partners with Ag Coalition to Communicate to Administration Ag and Health Agencies the Importance of Sound Science and the Judicious Use of Pesticides to Ensure Good Health
  • Texas Aerial Applicators Strengthen Ties with County Emergency Services; Consider a Similar Emergency Response Educational Session with Your Local Authorities
  • NAAA Joins Other General Aviation Organizations Calling on Administration to Strengthen and Support Aviation Supply Chain
  • Reminder: Part 137 Operations Are Not Subject to OpSpecs
  • 2025 C-PAASS – Application Open!
  • NAAA Offering Three Scholarship Programs in 2025

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