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- NAAA Operator Members Asked to Participate in Important Survey on Aerial Use of Cotton Defoliants to Keep Them Available for Ag Aviation
- VAI Features PAASS’ Fly Safe Message in Daily eNewsletter
- ACRC Announces New Contractor Changes for Ag Container Collection & Recycling Services
- NAAREF to Host Fifth Annual In-Season Safety Session on May 27th; Register in Advance
- Operation S.A.F.E. Program Added to Delta State University Aerial Applicator Pilot Training Curriculum
- 2026 NAAA/Syngenta Leadership Training Program Applications Accepted Until July 18, 2025
- The 2025 NAAA Membership Directory & Annual Report Mails this Week
NAAA Operator Members Asked to Participate in Important Survey on Aerial Use of Cotton Defoliants to Keep Them Available for Ag Aviation
NAAA is assisting the National Cotton Council (NCC) of America in getting word out to aerial applicators about an important survey. NCC is looking to collect information on the aerial application of cotton defoliants. This information is needed by both the EPA and USDA and could be critical for retaining aerial labels for many of the products used as harvest aids on cotton. NCC has been a longstanding partner in ensuring aerial application remains an option for cotton growers – and they need your assistance to continue the effort.
Data used from this survey will be used to make sure EPA knows how important aerial application is for applying harvest aids on cotton. All NAAA operator members will be receiving an email from NAAA tomorrow with a link to the survey. The link is also below – please note that it’s intended for operators only. There are eleven questions, so completing the survey should only take about 15 minutes. Your participation is critical for ensuring these products continue to be available for ag aviation.
Complete the survey here.
VAI Features PAASS’ Fly Safe Message in Daily eNewsletter
VAI Daily, the daily eNewsletter of Vertical Aviation International (formerly Helicopter Association International) featured PAASS’ May 5, 2025 Fly Safe Message in their eNewsletter’s safety section. VAI Daily is sent to 37,000 subscribers each weekday.
The Fly Safe Message reminded manned ag aircraft and drones to each do their part to avoid conflict in low-altitude airspace. The message stated that all aircraft operating in the low altitude airspace must do their part to avoid mid-air collisions, including the following:
- Drones must always give the right-of-way to manned aircraft.
- Manned aircraft should circle the field before entering an application site.
Manned ag aviators were also reminded in the message to use 122.925 MHz for air-air communications related to safety. Drone operators are not allowed to transmit on 122.925, unless approved to do so by the FCC, but they can monitor the channel to determine where and when manned agricultural aircraft are flying in the area.
VAI including the message in their eNewsletter is a positive acknowledgement of NAAREF’s safety programs. There are estimated to be over 12,000 military and civilian helicopters in the U.S. VAI’s eNewsletter is sent to 37,000 subscribers.
Fly Safe messages are sent every other Monday in May and every Monday in June, July, and August. If you’re not receiving the Fly Safe Messages, please send an email to information@agaviation.org or view them here.
ACRC Announces New Contractor Changes for Ag Container Collection & Recycling Services
The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC), the trade association of the ag chemicals industry responsible for supporting the collection and proper recycling of ag containers nationwide, has announced contractor changes in the northeastern and southeastern United States. Below is a list of states and updated service providers.
The container inspection and cleaning criteria followed by ACRC contractors, which is the EPA standard established in the EPA 2006 Container and Containment Rule, requires 99.99% removal of each active ingredient. A simple way to articulate this standard is “CLEAN means CLEAN, with NO residue seen.” Staining is fine, but residue is not. The most important tip for achieving this standard is proper rinsing techniques at the time of use, which can be viewed here.
The ACRC website offers free training information, brochures and posters about inspection and rinsing of containers here.
The program currently operates in 47 states and collects all types of ag chemical containers, including pesticides, animal health, specialty pest control, micronutrients, biologicals, fertilizer, and/or adjuvant product containers. Over the past 33 years, the ACRC program has collected and recycled over 257,000,000 pounds of container plastic.
NAAREF to Host Fifth Annual In-Season Safety Session on May 27th; Register in Advance
NAAREF will host an in-season safety session webinar on May 27th at 7:00 PM CDT with a small panel of PAASS presenters. The topics will include current trends in ag accidents, avoiding CFIT accidents, and other current topics of interest.
Click here to register. Please attend and spread the word to others.
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.
Operation S.A.F.E. Program Added to Delta State University Aerial Applicator Pilot Training Curriculum
Eight aspiring young pilots are progressing through the aerial applicator pilot training certification at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. George Moore, chief instructor, has worked with Dennis Gardisser of WRK of Arkansas LLC to provide training. Moore works to ensure young pilots in the program are exposed to as many professional aspects as possible. Recently, two days of Operation S.A.F.E. were organized to teach the students on WRK spray collection and analysis equipment owned by Moore.
The first day involved classroom instruction on theory, principles and techniques to test and enhance spray pattern accuracy, product efficacy and environmental stewardship. On day two, an Operation S.A.F.E. clinic was conducted. John Garr, GarrCo Products, Inc. provided additional instruction and assistance on day two with the field data collection activities.
The students performed all the equipment setup, data collection and analysis. A Cessna 188 and an AT-802 were the platforms characterized at the clinic. The pilots for these tests were the students, with about half flying the Cessna and the other half flying the AT-802.
In addition to flying over the collection system, each student analyzed their own spray patterns for pattern characteristics and droplet spectrum. As a result of this two-day clinic and their demonstration of abilities and enthusiasm for the program, all the students will be recommended to NAAREF to be recognized as Operation S.A.F.E. technicians.
The students have also been working towards the requirements to become Certified-Professional Aerial Applicator Safety Steward (C-PAASS) certified and Operation S.A.F.E. is a requirement they need to reach completion.
It was a successful two-day event with a great group of upcoming ag pilots.
By Dennis R Gardisser, WRK of Arkansas LLC
2026 NAAA/Syngenta Leadership Training Program Applications Accepted Until July 18, 2025
Since 1995, NAAA, in partnership with Syngenta Crop Protection, has offered the Leadership Training Program (LTP) to develop leaders within the aerial application industry. Over the past 29 classes, more than 365 NAAA members have graduated from the program. Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 program. The deadline to apply is July 18, 2025.
LTP equips participants with the communication and leadership skills needed to effectively represent the aerial application industry to the public, media, and government. It also covers management strategies to support participants in growing their businesses and becoming stronger leaders within NAAA and state or regional agricultural aviation associations.
- 12 participants will attend the LTP in Washington, D.C., February 10–14, 2026.
- 2 participants will attend the full Syngenta “Leadership At Its Best” (LAIB) program January 19–23, 2026 (includes participants from other national agricultural organizations).
In total, 14 individuals will be selected to participate. Each state or regional agricultural aviation association, along with the Canadian Aerial Applicators Association, may nominate one candidate. A selection committee appointed by the NAAA President will choose the most qualified applicants.
If you’re interested in being considered for the 2026 Leadership Training Program, contact your state or regional agricultural aviation association’s executive director for the application link. Only one candidate may be nominated per association. The deadline to apply is July 18, 2025.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Industry Involvement:
Must work in an agricultural aviation business or an allied industry organization. Eligible roles include:
• Owners (partial or full) of agricultural aircraft
• Managing employees, stockholders, or pilots of an ag aviation business
• Employees of Allied Industry Member companies or state associations - Leadership Experience:
Prior leadership in a state/regional ag aviation association, community service, or professional/school organizations. - Commitment to the Industry:
A demonstrated interest in continued involvement in the aerial application industry.
For more information about the 2026 NAAA/Syngenta Leadership Training Program, contact Amay@agaviation.org.
The 2025 NAAA Membership Directory & Annual Report Mails This Week
The 2025 NAAA Membership Directory & Annual Report is on its way! Most members should receive their copy within the next couple of weeks. As always, this exclusive publication is available only to NAAA members and remains one of the most valuable resources the association offers.
This year’s edition is packed with essential industry information, including updated contact listings for aerial application operators, pilots, and leading suppliers of parts and services. The print directory is filled with valuable information, such as NAAA’s annual report and multiple QR codes and weblinks to refer you to up-to-date information on the NAAA website, ensuring current accuracy and the ability to cut and paste.
We’ve worked diligently to ensure the accuracy of member listings, but if your contact information has changed, you can update it anytime at agaviation.org. Log in, go to My Account, click the Update Profile button, make your updates, and click SAVE CHANGES to ensure they appear in real-time in the Online Member Directory. If you need help accessing your account, please call us at (202) 546-5722.
Thank you for being a valued member of NAAA and for your vital role in supporting a safe, affordable, and abundant supply of food, fiber, and bioenergy. Your dedication keeps our industry thriving.
In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter
Click here for the May 1, 2025 eNewsletter to read:
- NAAA Promotes Aerial Precision Technologies and Modernizing AGDISP Atmospheric Drift Modeling to Ag Producers and Input Manufacturers at CropLife America Regulatory Summit
- CAAA Hosts Successful Field Day and Fly-In Events
- In Memory of David Eby, Ag Aviation Enthusiast
- Links Available to Presentations Made at March 2025 Spray Drone User Conference, Including NAAA’s Uncrewed Airspace Safety, Environmental Stewardship Education Presentation
- FAA Adds Assurance for Continued Access to 100LL at Federally Funded Airports
- Superseding AD Proposed for GE Engine M601 Compressor Case
- AD Issued for Bell 505 Wire Harness Inspection