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- NAAA AGDISP Press Release Earns Additional Media Coverage and Additional Resources
- Ralph Holsclaw, Operator in Woodland, Calif. & Donor of Smithsonian Ag-Cat, Passes
- NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Kick Off This Week in Flowood, MS, All Members Invited
- NAAA Support Committee Events at Ag Aviation Expo; Pre-Registration Ends Oct. 17
- Boost Your Safety Skills Around Wires and Proper Aircraft Maneuvering; Sign up for NAAA’s Ag Aviation Safety Training Day Set for Nov. 15 at the Ag Aviation Expo
NAAA AGDISP Press Release Earns Additional Media Coverage and Additional Resources
NAAA’s September 25th press release highlighting ongoing efforts to modernize the AGDISP pesticide drift modeling software, to ultimately facilitate more pesticide label flexibility for applicators utilizing drift reduction technologies, aided by a recent grant from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), garnered media coverage across U.S. agricultural news outlets. The press release was featured on CropLife Magazine’s website and in their e-newsletter and onAgriMarketing’s website and in their e-newsletter.
In addition, a contribution was received to NAAREF last week from an unmanned aerial application systems coalition that will go to the AGDISP modernization efforts. Modernizing AGDISP is a $600,000 endeavor and $375,000 has now been raised.
Ralph Holsclaw, Operator in Woodland, Calif. & Donor of Smithsonian Ag-Cat, Passes
We are saddened to share the passing of Ralph Holsclaw, Operator of Grower’s Air Service in Woodland, California. Ralph passed away on September 11 at the age of 84.
Ralph’s aviation career began early – while still in high school, he worked for Weggers Flying Service, Watts Ag Aviation, and Medlock Dusters. Later, he bought two operations to form Grower’s Air Service in 1977.
In 2005, Ralph contacted NAAA about donating his fully restored 1963 Ag-Cat. At the time, the Association was in discussions with Dorothy Cochrane, curator of general aviation at the Smithsonian Institution, regarding the exhibition of an agricultural aircraft. That conversation led to Ralph’s Ag-Cat being selected for permanent display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center, in 2009. Since then, more than one million visitors each year have the chance to see that aircraft and learn about the critical role of agricultural aviation—thanks to Ralph’s generosity.
When speaking at the plane’s installation ceremony, Ralph deflected attention from himself. “This isn’t about me,” he said, as he acknowledged the men and women around him—especially those who had helped restore the aircraft. His humility and desire to recognize others made the moment all the more powerful. For Ralph, it was about the legacy and recognition of an industry he loved.
Ralph was a member of NAAA and the California Agricultural Aircraft Association for several decades.
He also served his country with distinction. As a sergeant in the U.S. Army, Ralph worked as a radio/telephone operator in the White House from 1959 to 1966. He was personally thanked by President John F. Kennedy for his service.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Lynne; stepson, Steven Eagen; stepdaughter, Deborah Borgan; and their families. A memorial service will be held at Medlock Field on Friday, November 14th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Kick Off This Week in Flowood, MS, All Members Invited
The October 2025 NAAA & NAAREF Board and Committee meetings will take place in Jackson, Miss., the city of the National Agricultural Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame! Click here to view a schedule.
All meetings are open to NAAA members. If you are not a board or committee member but you’re interested in attending, please contact Lindsay Barber for more details.
Meeting Location
Sheraton Flowood – Refuge Hotel and Conference Center
2200 Refuge Blvd
Flowood, MS 39232
Hotel Phone: (601) 936-4550
The hotel block has closed and is sold out. The hotel may have a few rooms available outside the block, or you can stay at a nearby hotel.
Board Books: All board books are provided electronically. Board and Committee members have received a link and directions to download the electronic board book. The board book can be downloaded to your computer, tablet or you can print your committee items. If you have not yet received your board book, please email Lindsay Barber.
NAAA Support Committee Events at Ag Aviation Expo; Pre-Registration Ends Oct. 17
We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo in Reno, NV, Nov. 17-19. The NAAA Support Committee has organized several fun events at the Ag Aviation Expo for spouses/significant others, family members, and office crew. Save $75 by pre-registering by Oct. 17 for what promises to be an outstanding convention! Support committee events are designed for anyone in a support role in the industry, such as office staff, working loaders, and family members.
Monday, Nov. 17: Sip, Savor & Socialize Event 11:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. Join us for a food and wine pairing cooking demonstration led by a chef from the Atlantis Resort. Watch culinary magic happen while enjoying great company, flavorful bites, and perfectly paired wines. Meet other spouses or office crew in the industry. 21 and older only. Reservations are required, and space is limited to 100 attendees. A $25 fee applies. Reserve your spot while registering for the Ag Aviation Expo here. Sponsored by GarrCo Products Inc.
Wednesday, Nov. 19: Athena Project Presentation (no RSVP required) 9:45–11:45 a.m. This year’s Athena Project presentation is titled, “Spin for a Season of Success.” Join in peer-led discussions to deepen your understanding of the industry. Share your insights and personal experiences as we “spin” the wheel to select engaging topics for conversation. The program covers information beneficial to anyone working in the industry and their family members.
Developed by Athena presenters and committee members, this program offers valuable information for everyone involved in agricultural aviation. Whether you’re a spouse, office team member, or part of the crew, you’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and practical advice for supporting and strengthening our industry. All are invited. Sponsored by Chuck Holzwarth Flying Service.
Wednesday, Nov. 19: NAAREF Relationship Drift (no RSVP required) 3–4:45 p.m. The Relationship Drift Session will look at how personal relationships affect pilot decision-making and safety. Men and women should attend this session together, including couples and office crew. This is similar in format to the popular Compaass Rose program, but instead of better facilitating relations between inexperienced pilots and more experienced operators, the new session is designed to facilitate relations between operators/pilots and their spouses or significant others and office crew. All are invited! Sponsored by Rotorcraft Repair & Manufacturing.
Ag Aviation Expo Details
- Dates: Nov. 17-19
- Schedule of Events here
- NAAA Hotel Room Block: Open
- Attendee Registration Open
- Exhibit Booth Sales: Open
- Sponsorship Opportunities here. We have sponsorships available for all budget sizes.
- Flying Into Reno: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) has eleven airlines providing more than 120 daily departures and arrivals. Learn about travel here.
- Auction Donations: Please consider donating to 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. Email Amy May with your donation details.
- Never been to Reno? Learn more here.
Boost Your Safety Skills Around Wires and Proper Aircraft Maneuvering; Sign up for NAAA’s Ag Aviation Safety Training Day Set for 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.
In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter
Click here for the October 2, 2025 eNewsletter to read:
- Extra Extra!! Fall 2025 Issue of Agricultural Aviation Now Online!
- NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Kick off Next Week in Flowood, MS, All Members Invited
- Pre-Register for the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo by Oct. 17 to Avoid Long Registration Lines Onsite
- FINAL REMINDER – GRASSROOTS ALERT: FAA Proposed Part 108 – Drones Given Right of Way Over Manned Aircraft – Your Comments Needed