ber 12, 20

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Casey Williams flies his Air Tractor AT-802 fighting the fire in central Nebraska.

Fire Crews Make Major Headway with Assistance from NAAA Members

With high winds and low humidity creating dangerous conditions across the United States, aerial applicators, including NAAA operator member, Casey Williams of Arrow Aviation in Broken Bow, NE, and Flynn Baker, NAAA pilot member of Kearney, NE, have played a crucial role in firefighting efforts and providing essential support in battling these blazes. Fire crews have made significant progress in central Nebraska containing the wildfires that began just over a week ago and burned thousands of acres. As of the latest update, the fires have scorched just over 6,100 acres, with crews reporting over 75% containment. For more details, read here.

A similar situation unfolded over the weekend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where Fire Boss aircraft operated by NAAA member Dauntless Air were employed to combat more than 175 wildfires covering over six square miles. One significant blaze near Carolina Forest burned 1,600 acres and was 30% contained as of Sunday evening, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Updates on this situation can be found here.

The efforts of Dauntless Air pilots, Casey Williams, and Flynn Baker along with other ag pilots across the U.S. have been crucial in containing fires and safeguarding vulnerable areas. Their expertise and rapid response have been instrumental in protecting communities and resources. A heartfelt thank you is extended to all ag pilots on the frontlines for their dedication and invaluable contributions.

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NAAA Comments to EPA Supporting Aerial Applications of New Corteva Fungicide

NAAA recently submitted comments to the EPA to support aerial applications of florylpicoxamid, a new fungicide from Corteva Agriscience. The proposed label requirements for aerial applications of the florylpicoxamid were all familiar, having been accepted by NAAA on numerous other pesticide registration reviews.

Regarding a risk to aquatic organisms from drift that resulted in in a limitation to only one aerial application annually instead of two, NAAA reminded EPA that the risk assessments for florylpicoxamid were conducted using the Tier 1 AgDRIFT model, and that EPA had recently approved use of the Tier 3 AgDRIFT model as suggested by NAAA. NAAA requested  EPA utilize Tier 3 to determine if they can increase the number of aerial applications allowed annually. Click here to view NAAA’s comments.

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Extra Extra!! Spring 2025 Issue of Agricultural Aviation Now Online!

The Spring 2025 issue of Agricultural Aviation is available online and in the Agricultural Aviation Magazine App. Stories include a review of 2024 Ag Aviation Expo Kickoff Breakfast Speaker Kevin Humphreys’ mental health review, overview of the 2024-2025 PAASS Program, a case of mistaken product identity and an overview of the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo in Reno, Nevada.

Featured content in this issue includes:

Back issues are available in Agricultural Aviation’s Issue Library.

Get the free Agricultural Aviation App on your Apple, Google and Amazon mobile devices.

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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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Last Pass Memorial Needs Your Help

The construction of the Last Pass Memorial Walk, located at the National Agricultural Aviation Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, is complete! The Last Pass Memorial Walk is a brick-laid memorial walkway that will provide a lasting tribute to agricultural pilots who have lost their lives during aerial application flights. Now, the project is moving into its next important phase—the engraving of names.

Currently, 319 of the 428 identified incidents have been documented, and those names are set to be engraved in the first round. However, there’s still work to be done, and they need your help.

If you know of any individuals or accidents not listed, now is the time to make sure they are included. You can easily view the entire list of incidents at lastpassmemorialwalk.org. Pay close attention to the lines where there is no name—these are the individuals who still need to be identified. If an incident is missing entirely, they would like that added as well.

To submit new information, visit lastpassmemorialwalk.org and follow the simple steps to contribute directly through the site. Your involvement will help honor the lives and legacies of those in agricultural aviation.

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In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the February 28, 2025 eNewsletter to read:

  • NAAA and NAAREF Boards Accomplish Necessary Work at Meetings with Northern Canadian Neighbors
  • Ray Starling to Speak at 2025 Ag Aviation Expo Kickoff Breakfast
  • Air Tractor the Leading Global Producer of Turboprop Aircraft
  • Ag Aviation’s Total Accident Rate Continues to Decline but Fatal Accident Rate Holds Level 
  • NAAA Staff Member Amy May recognized with Distinguished Service Award at NATA
  • Nominations Open for the 2025 NAAA Awards!
  • AD Issued for Various Piper Models’ Rudder Post

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