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NAAA Drone Safety Press Release Sparks PR Campaign

Last week’s press release cautioning hobbyist and professional drone operators not to interfere with low-altitude manned agricultural aircraft created a public relations campaign amongst agriculture outlets.

NAAA CEO Andrew Moore discussed the association’s safety recommendations for uncrewed operators operating within the vicinity of crewed ag aircraft on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report last Friday. He spoke with anchor Suzanne Alexander from NAAA’s headquarters in Virginia. Market Day Report is RFD-TV’s most watched weekly live news program broadcast to 48 million homes nationwide.

During the live television interview, Moore reiterated that drones give right away to manned aircraft and that manned ag aviators should circle the application site before entering it to ensure UAS operators have time to spot the manned aircraft and land their UAS. Moore also explained that manned and unmanned pilots should use frequency 122.925 to communicate with each other. Watch the broadcast here. 

The press release also appeared on the CropLife publication website and in their eNewsletter twice this week.

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NAAA Addresses the Florida Mosquito Control Association Annual Fly-In

NAAA was invited to address the annual fly-in of public health aerial applicators at the Florida Mosquito Control Association last week. The event was attended by hundreds of pilots across the Sunshine State and throughout the Eastern Seaboard as part of their continuing education as public health applicators. NAAA took advantage of the opportunity as part of its continuing effort to promote its mission of low-altitude aviation safety and to broaden its membership base of aerial applicators. This growth enhances the NAAA’s capacity to provide advocacy, educational, and public relations services to the industry. Andrew Moore, NAAA’s CEO addressed the event’s audience at the Lee Country Mosquito Control District in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Moore underscored NAAA’s efforts to ensure registered pesticides include aerial label use, its aviation and environmental safety efforts, such as securing aviation frequency 122.925 for aerial application communications and its Operation S.A.F.E. application efficacy calibration clinics.

Hundreds of public health aerial applicators gathered for the Florida Mosquito Control Association’s annual fly-in
Internal perspective of Florida’s Collier County Mosquito Control District SC.7 Skyvan aircraft for aerial public spraying operations
External perspective of Florida’s Collier County Mosquito Control District SC.7 Skyvan aircraft for aerial public spraying operations

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NAAA Hosts Virtual Meeting with State and Regional Associations to Strengthen Advocacy and Safety Across the Industry

NAAA staff held a virtual state and regional association meeting yesterday, bringing together state and regional directors to strengthen each other’s ag aviation advocacy, networking, public relations, and safety coordination services to the industry.

The meeting, part of NAAA’s broader initiative to foster collaboration and information-sharing across agricultural aviation, provided a platform for dialogue, to learn from each other, align strategies and promote best practices that enhance both operational safety and the public perception of aerial application.

Twenty attendees discussed legislative and regulatory updates, emerging technologies, such as the use of drones and enhanced communication strategies promoting the safety of aerial application. A major focus was placed on policy initiatives, educational and public relations services, accident statistics availability on the NAAA webpage and the NAAA database as key resources available to NAAA members.

NAAA looks forward to hosting additional virtual meetings with state/regional association directors in the future as it is a great way to share information and learn from one another.

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Former NAAA President Harold Hardcastle Passes

Harold James Hardcastle, 93, passed away on April 9, 2025, in Crowell, Texas. Harold was NAAA President in 1979 and also served as the Texas AAA President. He was awarded the NAAA Outstanding Service Award in 1979.

Harold was born August 18, 1931, and in 1949, he married Patsy (Pat) Ruth Noah. They then moved to College Station, Texas, where Harold attended Texas A&M University. He completed a degree in entomology in 1953. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was on active duty from 1953 to 1956, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and San Antonio, Texas, as a First Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.

Harold and Pat had three children: Melinda, Richard (Rick), and Philip. After leaving the army, Harold worked as a sales representative for Stauffer Agricultural Chemicals Company in Sherman, Texas. In 1964, Harold started an aerial spraying business in Lockett, Texas as an independent contractor for American Dusting Company. By 1974, he was the sole owner of the business, and he changed its name to Hardcastle Ag Air, Inc. and established a second location in Altus, Oklahoma. Harold’s son Rick became a partner in the business, and it continued to flourish until it was sold to Terra Chemical Inc. in 1997. Harold and Rick formed Rolling H Cattle Company and bought a ranch on Red River north of Chillicothe, Texas. They operated the ranch until Harold’s retirement in 2010.

Harold was president of the Vernon Rotary Club and a member of Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. He was a member of the First Methodist Church and served as chairman of the administrative board, the finance committee and the personnel committee. He taught a young adult Sunday school class for ten years. He was a member of the board of directors of Vernon Independent School District for six years.

Harold’s wife Pat died in 1995. In 1999, he became reacquainted with a former classmate, Dr. Peggy Jo Pletcher of Boise, Idaho. Harold and Peggy were married in 2000 in Vernon, Texas.

Memorials may be made to the Cayce Lynn Hardcastle Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Waggoner National Bank or to the First Methodist Church of Vernon. Memorial services were held this past Monday.

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Longtime Ag Aviation Pioneer Bill Hubler of Idaho Passes

The agricultural aviation community is mourning the loss of one of its respected pioneers, Bill Hubler, an industry veteran. Hubler of Valley Air in Caldwell, Idaho, leaves behind a legacy of innovation, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of progress in aerial application.

Hubler was widely recognized as a trailblazer in the field, particularly for his pioneering work in night spraying during the late 1960s—a bold endeavor that helped redefine the boundaries of ag aviation. At a time when the concept was still fraught with challenges, Hubler charted a new course that would open doors for safer and more efficient aerial operations in low-light conditions.

Under his leadership, Valley Air emerged as a hub of innovation. The company was among the first to develop and implement advanced systems specifically designed for night spraying, significantly improving pilot visibility and safety. His forward-thinking approach didn’t stop there: Hubler also oversaw the introduction of wing extensions for various Thrush aircraft models, enhancing their performance and payload capacity.

Perhaps most notably, his efforts in spearheading turbine conversions for both PZL-Mielec Dromaders and Thrush aircraft marked a turning point in aircraft efficiency and reliability within the industry. These conversions helped operators achieve greater power, longer flight times, and reduced maintenance costs—developments that have had a lasting impact.

Hubler wasn’t just a visionary engineer—he was a mentor, a leader, and a respected figure in the agricultural aviation world. His influence extended far beyond Idaho, inspiring generations of pilots and innovators nationwide. No obituary has been provided at the time of publication.

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Exhibitor Details for the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo: Booth Sales for Aircraft & Large Booth Space Now Open

Join us for the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo in Reno, Nov. 17-19. In addition to attending the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo, explore Reno.  The city is a fast-growing city that offers numerous dining and libation options. The Midtown District is home to many local bars with live music, offering local artists’ murals and each offers a unique atmosphere. For naturalists and skiers, nearby Lake Tahoe is well worth a trip. Explore the area at www.visitrenotahoe.com.

Booth Sales for Aircraft & Large Booth Space Now Open: If you plan to bring an aircraft, need a 20’x20’+ island booth, a 10’x30’+ inline booth or plan to be a Diamond or Platinum sponsor, please contact Lindsay Barber ASAP. To ensure the best placement on the trade show floor, we would appreciate knowing about aircraft and large booth spaces by early May. 10×10 and 10×20 booth space sales will begin on July 10 at 12 p.m. ET.

The NAAA Trade Show will take place Nov. 18, 12 p.m.–5:30 p.m. and Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Review the NAAA Exhibitor Prospectus and exhibitor webpage for further details and pricing here. The full schedule of events is available here.

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FAA’s GA Survey Data Collection for 2024 is Underway

The FAA’s 47th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) continues to gather data on GA including ag aviation. The survey is for collecting aviation activity for the calendar year 2024. The GA Survey is the only source of information available that provides reliable data on the GA fleet, including number of aircraft and hours flown. The data is used by the FAA, other government agencies, and the aviation industry for a variety of things, including assessing safety and understanding the economic impact of aviation.

The emails for both owners/operators of individual aircraft and multiple aircraft (i.e., fleets) have been sent. Owners/operators have had access to the online 47th Annual 2024 General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey for a few weeks now. Next up were physical copies of the survey, which began to be mailed out to owners/operators at the end of last week. In addition, this week telephone interviewers began reaching out to large fleets to offer assistance in completing the survey; they will continue conducting reach-outs throughout the survey period to maximize participation.

Note that not everyone will be invited to participate – the survey reaches about 30% of GA aviators every year. If you are selected to participate in the GA Survey, you will receive an email or postcard invitation asking you to complete the survey online. Those who do not complete the survey online will receive a mail survey which includes a postage-paid return envelope. The information is confidential and will only be used for statistical purposes and will not be published or released in any form that would reveal an individual participant. It only takes 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. You may be asked to participate two or more years in a row. If you are contacted, please respond to the survey even if you did not fly your aircraft during 2024, sold it, or if the aircraft was damaged. If you own three or more aircraft, there is an abbreviated survey form you can use instead of needing to complete a survey for each aircraft.

The GA Survey is especially critical to the agricultural aviation industry. NAAA uses the results of the GA Survey, in conjunction with NTSB accident numbers, to calculate an overall accident rate and a fatal accident rate for Part 137 operations. This allows NAAA to track and document the safety of the agricultural aviation industry and provide evidence to the FAA and NTSB that PAASS and other safety programs are working to reduce Part 137 accidents.

If you have questions, please contact Tetra Tech, the independent research firm that conducts the GA Survey for the FAA, toll-free at 1-800-826-1797 or by email at infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com. Results from prior surveys can be found here.

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In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the April 10, 2025 eNewsletter to read:

  • NAAA Issues Press Release Urging Drone Operators to Prioritize Safety and Yield to Manned Agricultural Aircraft This Growing Season
  • NAAA Comments Again on Atrazine – Prior NAAA Comments Saved Aerial Application
  • Proceeds for Tylor Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament on June 2, 2025 Go to Aviation Safety Education
  • Economist Allan Gray to Speak at 2025 Ag Aviation Expo General Session
  • NTSB Launches New Online Portal for Aircraft Accident Reporting Form 6120.1
  • AD Issued for AStar/TwinStar Helicopters
  • NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Hotel Room Block Open

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