Click on the article title below to be taken directly to the article. After you’re done reading the article, click “Back to Top” at the bottom to be brought back to the Table of Contents.
Table of Contents
- NAAA Member Marcus Crutchfield Promotes Ag Aviation in His Local Commodity Publication
- Beware of Fraudulent Scam Callers Using NAAA Name to Obtain Funds
- 11th Annual Ag Aviation Golf Tournament Success
- Boost Your Safety Skills Around Wires and Proper Aircraft Maneuvering; Sign up for NAAA’s Ag Aviation Safety Training, Nov. 15 at the Ag Aviation Expo
- The New NAAA 365 App Puts Industry Resources at Your Fingertips
- NAAA Offers Healthcare Options to NAAA Members
NAAA Member Marcus Crutchfield Promotes Ag Aviation in His Local Commodity Publication
Public understanding of agricultural aviation can lag behind reality. For those within the industry, aerial application is a vital, precise, and environmentally responsible part of modern agriculture, but that message doesn’t always reach the public. Misconceptions can create unnecessary tension and even safety concerns for pilots in the field. However, many members are working to change that perception of the industry.
Marcus Crutchfield, NAAA member from Jay, Florida, knows this firsthand. He was recently featured as the cover story in Southeastern Peanut Farmer magazine, which highlighted his transition from electrician to ag pilot and his dedication to supporting growers across the Southeast. Today, he works with NAAA operator, Gentry’s Flying Service in Prattville, Alabama, covering thousands of acres each season and applying crop protection products that help maintain healthy, productive fields.
Like many ag pilots, Crutchfield has faced misunderstandings with the public. While working in Ohio, a resident, believing Crutchfield’s aircraft was flying too close to his house, aimed a gun at the plane. In another instance, Crutchfield discovered a bullet hole in his plane after a day’s work. These incidents underscore how misinformation about aerial application can create real risks.
Fortunately, the NAAA provides resources for pilots navigating these situations. On the NAAA Education webpage, tools such as the Checklist for Pilots Subjected to Discharge of a Firearm Targeting an Ag Aircraft can be accessed, which offers guidance for responding safely and appropriately if faced with these rare but dangerous encounters.
Rather than dwell on challenges, Crutchfield focuses on what he can control—professionalism, communication, and care for the growers he serves. He takes pride in helping peanut farmers and values the trust he has built with those who understand the critical role aerial application plays in their operations.
Sharing stories like Crutchfield’s across publications, social media, and community events is essential to shaping positive public perception. Every flight and every conversation is an opportunity to highlight the value, safety, and sustainability of aerial application.
Pilots like Marcus Crutchfield demonstrate that positive PR isn’t just a press release: it’s the result of skill, dedication, and clear communication with the communities they serve. Read Crutchfield’s story here. In addition to the NAAA Education webpage, review NAAA’s Media Kit for resources on public outreach and working with local media.
Beware of Fraudulent Scam Callers Using NAAA Name to Obtain Funds
NAAA received notification that a member answered a call from a scammer stating that they were calling to collect money on behalf of NAAA. THIS IS A SCAM; DO NOT PAY FOR ANYTHING OVER THE PHONE FOR NAAA UNLESS YOU’RE CALLING OUR OFFICE DIRECTLY AT 202-546-5722.
You can also verify if you owe money for NAAA membership or convention items by logging into your account. There are several reports of entities trying to scam people in a variety of ways through phone calls and emails; do not fall victim to these scams.
If you are unsure if a phone call or email is legitimately from NAAA, please feel free to email information@agaviation.org for clarification. Also, as a reminder, any message from the NAAA will come directly from NAAA with the “@agaviation.org” lettering, such as information@agaviation.org or a staff member’s email address.
11th Annual Ag Aviation Golf Tournament Success
The 11th Annual Ag Aviation Golf Tournament at the Red Apple Inn in Heber Springs, Arkansas, last month, was a tremendous success! Sixty golfers took part in the tournament, and 83 guests joined for dinner.
Special thanks to former NAAA President Brenda Watts, who served as the association’s 50th president in 2016, for her outstanding organization and leadership in making the event such a success.
Proceeds from this year’s tournament will support The Last Pass Memorial Walkway at the National Agricultural Aviation Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as the Scott Rainey Scholarship. The weekend was filled with laughter, good conversation, and plenty of fun on the course, all in a stunning setting.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next year for the tournament, which is always scheduled for the third weekend in October!
Boost Your Safety Skills Around Wires and Proper Aircraft Maneuvering; Sign up for NAAA’s Ag Aviation Safety Training Day, Nov. 15 at the Ag Aviation Expo
Saturday, November 15, is a day dedicated to safety courses for ag pilots before kicking off the Ag Aviation Expo. Learn the essential skills needed to safely operate an aircraft in an environment of wires and obstructions and how to turn an ag plane safely.
After three years of popularity, NAAA and NAAREF are bringing back the Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment, acclaimed by professional aircraft operators worldwide and will be the first session. The Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation and the Johnson Family are graciously sponsoring the registration fees of each operator and pilot attending this year’s course.
The course will begin at 8 a.m. on Nov. 15 and will be taught by aviation safety experts from Utilities/Aviation Specialists Inc., a unique group of aviation safety practitioners who provide safety auditing, specialized training, installation of safety management systems and technical aviation consulting. They provide mission-specific expertise in specialized applications that require skill sets above those found in most routine transport operations. Both fixed-wing and helicopter pilots will benefit from this course. It gives low-altitude aviators the essential skills needed to safely operate an aircraft in wire and obstruction environments. Learn how to identify signs of wires, why ag aviators hit wires they already knew were there, and how to avoid obstructions going forward. In 2024, there were a total of 11 wire strike ag aviation accidents, two of those accidents were fatal.
The second course, beginning at 1:15 p.m., will feature Fran de Kock of Battlefords Airspray in Canada, teaching the Turning an Ag Airplane Safely Course, which will cover in detail how to safely turn a fixed-wing ag aircraft. The class is intended for all ag pilots regardless of their experience level. It will review the basics of an ag turn, how to properly train to make safe ag turns and how to make ag turns in different conditions. The risks of a turning accident and how to manage those risks will also be thoroughly covered.
NAAA and NAAREF thank the Johnson Family and the Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation for providing funding for ag pilots to attend this essential training. Tylor Johnson was a third-generation aerial applicator whose life was cut short after his airplane struck a guy wire. It was a harsh reminder of the dangers aerial applicators face daily. In the wake of this tragedy, the Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation was established to honor Tylor’s memory, advocate for increased safety measures that protect other pilots, and continue his legacy of care and commitment to the community.
These two courses may very well save your life; don’t miss this day dedicated to two important topics. Lunch will be provided to pre-registered participants. While registration fees are waived for the courses due to these generous sponsorships, advance registration is still required at AgAviation.org/ag-aviation-expo/registration/. If you do not pre-register, we may not have a seat or lunch for you. Sponsored by Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation, Old Republic Aerospace & AssuredPartners Aerospace.
The New NAAA 365 App Puts Industry Resources at Your Fingertips
Do you want the latest information onsite at this year’s 2025 Ag Aviation Expo in Reno? We have it for you on the NAAA 365 App, featuring the most up-to-date event details right on your device! Our mobile app enhances your pre-Expo, onsite, and post-Expo experience, allowing attendees who prefer not to carry a paper program to access all NAAA Ag Aviation Expo information digitally. It is also the most up-to-date schedule and resource for the Ag Aviation Expo. The NAAA 365 App will serve as our official event app moving forward, keeping you connected year-round with the latest updates and resources. If you have any questions about the app, please contact Amy May.
In the future, you’ll have the ability to use NAAA 365 for membership, expo registration, reading publications, etc.
Download Instructions
- From iTunes or Google Play, search for and download the NAAA 365 App and follow the setup instructions using your NAAA website login credentials as your login and passcode. When asked, select the blue circle 🔵 button below “preferred address.”
App Features
- Notifications about networking opportunities and event updates are sent directly to your device throughout the event.
- Essential meeting details and updates are accessible year-round.
- Find “Events” at the bottom of the app to access the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo or Board Meetings.
- Create your personal agenda by adding sessions to your calendar with the “+” button.
- View meeting schedules, agendas, and locations in advance directly in the app.
- Expo trade show map and exhibitor list.
- A full list of CEUs available at NAAA Expo.
- Auction items and companies supporting NAAA and the aerial application industry through sponsorship.
NAAA Offers Healthcare Options to NAAA Members
Rising health insurance premiums have become a significant concern for both individuals and employers across the country. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits are set to expire, which could lead to significantly higher premiums and healthcare costs. NAAA offers members the opportunity to work with Decisely on health insurance options. As the ACA tax credits expire, we recommend pricing Decisely’s options—even if you already have in the past—because they may offer more competitive rates under these latest circumstances.
NAAA partnered with the large insurance broker last year to offer insurance options to NAAA members. Whether you’re looking for health insurance for yourself and/or your employees, we’ve got you covered. The NAAA Benefits Center program provides comprehensive plans for both individuals and employers, regardless of group size, with guaranteed coverage for all participants.
This program guarantees coverage for all participants, with no health questions asked, resulting in no exclusion for pre-existing conditions. The NAAA Benefits Center offers financial and medical stability, ensuring peace of mind for those seeking reliable and affordable health insurance.
Now is the time to consider your health benefits renewal! Take control of your healthcare expenses today and learn more at NAAA Benefits Center. You may also access the NAAA Health Care plan from the membership tab at AgAviation.org and then click Health Insurance Benefits.
In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter
Click here for the October 30, 2025 eNewsletter to read:
- NAAA Member Matthew Regier Featured in Cover Article of Oklahoma Country Magazine
- Double Down for a Cause: Register for Betting for PAASS Casino Night Fundraiser, Nov. 16 in Reno
- The New NAAA 365 App Puts Industry Resources at Your Fingertips
- NAAA Offers Healthcare Options to NAAA Members
- Bid on Great Auction Items at NAAA Live Auction on November 18; Letter of Credit Required for PT6A-34AG Engine
- NAAA Membership Renewal Season is Here