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C-PAASS Application Open – Become a 2024 Certified-Professional Aerial Applicator Safety Steward!

The 2024 Certified-Professional Aerial Applicator Safety Steward (C-PAASS) application is now open! This annual, individual certification for ag pilots, both operator and non-operator, serves to recognize a strong commitment to safety, professionalism and the pursuit of continuous improvement. Use it to positively distinguish yourself to insurers, customers, regulators and others outside the industry — and be a part of the force advancing safety, and changing the narrative, for agricultural aviation on a national level.    

Individuals seeking 2024 certification will need to meet the following requirements:

New for 2024 and offered at no cost to NAAA members, NAAA and NAAREF have released the following two online courses listed below. Completion of each is required for 2024 certification. This is only the beginning. It is anticipated that future years will provide the opportunity for individuals to choose from a catalog of available courses for certification.

Avoiding Wire Strike Accidents

This 2-hour self-paced course is based on the 2022-2023 PAASS Program’s Human Factors module of the same title. It covers wire strike statistics, reconnaissance, forecasting and decision-making. (Course ID: 24-HF-01) Note: Individuals who have taken the Utilities / Aviation Specialists Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment course in-person within the last 12 months (at the Ag Aviation Expo, a state meeting, etc.) can waive this online course requirement upon request.

The Impact of Each Droplet – Part 1

This 30-minute self-paced course is a spray application primer in droplet size terminology and industry standards. Topics covered include droplet size statistics, droplet spectrum categories, coverage and drift potential. As the first course in a same-titled series, it lays the foundations for more in-depth courses centered around optimizing aerial spray applications. (Course ID: 24-EP-01)

You can check your C-PAASS eligibility anytime. Once you have completed all the component requirements, including the two courses above, you can apply online for 2024 C-PAASS! You can find more detailed instructions on applying here.


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Results from 2022 FAA General Aviation Survey Released Providing a More Detailed Profile of Ag Aviation

The results from the 2022 FAA General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) have been released. Ag aviators flew a total of 831,999 hours in 2022, a reduction from the 924,037 hours flown in 2021. A total of 2,813 ag aircraft were used in 2021, which was again a decline from the 3,139 ag aircraft used in 2021. The average hours flown per aircraft remained relatively unchanged from 294.4 hours per aircraft in 2021 to 280 hours per aircraft in 2022.

Hours flown and number of aircraft are not the only variables that can be used to indicate the overall productivity of the agricultural aviation industry – acres treated is also a key indicator. At this time however, there is no annual estimate of these acres. We do know that over the last few years there has been an increase in higher hopper capacity ag aircraft and a corresponding decrease in lower hopper capacity aircraft. Larger capacity aircraft can obviously treat more acre per hour of flight time. 

There were 51 ag aviation accidents, including nine fatal accidents, in 2022. The overall ag aviation accident rate in 2022 was 6.13 accidents per 100,000 ag hours flown. The 2022 fatal ag aviation accident rate was 1.08 fatal ag aviation accidents per 100,000 flown. The 2022 accident rate for the remainder of general aviation (excluding part 135) was lower than ag aviation’s rate at 5.25 accidents per 100,000 hours flown. General aviation’s 2022 fatal accident rate was 0.88 fatal accidents per 100,000 hours flown, which is also lower than ag aviation’s fatal accident rate. 

Since PAASS began in 1999, the overall ag accident rate has declined by 26.6%. This matches a 26% reduction in drift incidents since PAASS.  A remarkable figure when considering that fewer than half, or 47% of ag pilots attended PAASS prior to 2020. The fatal accident rate has declined 6.2% since PAASS began.

In 2022 fixed-wing aircraft represented 76.8% of the ag aircraft used and the other 23.2% were rotor-wing aircraft. Fixed-wing aircraft accounting for 79.5% of the ag aviation hours flown and rotor-wing aircraft accounting for 20.5% of ag aviation hours. For engine type, including both fixed and rotor-wing aircraft, piston engines were used in 23.1% of ag aircraft in 2022 and represented 13.1% of the total ag aviation hours flown. Turbine engines were used in 76.9% of ag aircraft and accounted for 86.9% of the 2022 ag aviation flight hours.

Invitations to participate in the 2023 GAA survey have already been sent out. Please help our industry and aviation in general by providing accurate information to the FAA if you are invited to participate.

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NAAA Participates in 2nd Annual Spray Drone End User Conference

Upon invitations from leaders in the remote pilot application aircraft space, NAAA participated in 2nd Annual Spray Drone End User Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama, this week. The conference was well attended by both national and international uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) manufacturers, UAS 14 CFR Part 137 certificate holders, and pesticide manufacturers—250 were in attendance with another 100 attending virtually.  

NAAA CEO Andrew Moore addressed 250 in-person attendees and 100+ virtual attendees.

Key leaders in the UAS application space exhibited their equipment and multiple educational sessions ranging from adjuvants affects on application efficacy to drone maintenance to licensing requirements and regulatory procedures were offered.

Pegasus Robotics displayed and demonstrated their UAS.

NAAA CEO Andrew Moore attended the conference on behalf of the association and addressed the attendees about the NAAA’s long-time efforts working to ensure pesticides are labeled for aerial use, which EPA allows to be used for both crewed aircraft and UAS, without unnecessarily burdensome restrictions; safety policy NAAA advocates to avoid collisions between crewed aircraft and UAS; and business networking, educational stewardship programs, and positive public relations that NAAA provides to help ensure the economic health, professionalism and reputation of the industry.

Moore provided an overview of the aerial application industry and shared the industry’s long-time regulatory and legislative efforts. 

Key players in the drone space were in attendance from DJI Agriculture, Agri Spray Drones, Bestway Ag and Pegasus Robotics, including NAAA members such as Leading Edge Aerial Technologies, Bayer and Rantizo. The UAS application industry is growing by 23% per year, according to one participant, and since June of 2023, 560 UAS Part 137 certificates have been issued since the FAA released its expedited process for UAS operations.

Sponsors of the 2nd Annual Spray Drone End User Conference

Leaders in the UAS space realized the important role NAAA plays in the reregistration process of pesticides for aerial use including modernizing key atmospheric drift models. It also realized the important role that NAAA and NAAREF’s award-winning educational programming plays in self-policing the industry without being unduly regulated by government agencies. The UAS leaders discussed the possibility of partnerships with plans for further discussions to continue. NAAA will continue to keep members abreast of any such developments.

DJI’s exhibit provided information about their UAS.

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Nebraska Ag Aviators Come to the Rescue to Combat Potentially Devastating Fires

This week, several small wildfires started north of North Platte, NE. NAAA Operator member Casey Williams of Arrow Aviation, Inc. in Broken Bow, NE, and NAAA pilot member Flynn Baker of Kearney, NE, stepped in to help douse the flames, and the fires are now under control. As the threat of wildfires continues to grow across the U.S., it is an opportunity for ag pilots to help with aerial firefighting for their local communities. Read more here.  

Ag planes are filled with fire retardant at the North Platte airport. Photo Courtesy Christina Schultis

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NAAA Transitioning to a New Membership Database for Enhanced Member Support and Web-Based Experience

After months of dedicated work, the NAAA team is rolling out an upgraded membership database system. This enhancement is aimed at providing you with better service and a more seamless web-based experience.

The transition to the new database is already underway, and as a result, access to the NAAA Member’s Only section of the website will be temporarily unavailable for the next few days. This brief interruption is necessary as we transfer all data to the new software system. However, please rest assured that our staff remains available to assist you during our office hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET). You can reach us at (202) 546-5722 or via email at information@agaviation.org. 

Once the transition is complete, you can expect to receive an email with detailed instructions on how to reset your password.

We’re excited about the potential of this new membership database to better address your needs. Should you have any questions or require assistance during this transition period, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (202) 546-5722 or information@agaviation.org. Thank you for your patience and continued support.

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Last Chance to Attend 2023-2024 PAASS!

If you missed this year’s PAASS Program, you have one more chance. There will be a Zoom PAASS Program on Tuesday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT (10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. EDT). The cost is $900 per person.

Click Here to Register

Attend PAASS — The life you save might be your own.

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NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Hotel Room Block Open

The NAAA hotel room block is now open for the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 18-21. The Ag Aviation Expo will provide you with networking, education and fun in a great city full of restaurants and bars, nightlife, shopping and attractions. It is important for attendees to stay in the NAAA room block. We get the best hotel room rates for our attendees, and if the NAAA hotel block is not filled, we cannot offer great rates for future years!

We have rooms available at three hotels; view the hotel map to the right or view them here. Learn more about Fort Worth here.

Omni (Across The Street From Convention Center)

  • 1300 Houston Street, Fort Worth, Texas, 76102
  • Reservations: Book your room online here or call 817-535-6664 and identify National Agricultural Aviation Association Convention for the discounted room rate.
  • Rate: $175/night
  • Room block deadline: Oct. 24

Sheraton (One Block From Convention Center)

  • 1701 Commerce Street Fort Worth, Texas 76102
  • Reservations: Book your room online here or call 817-335-7000 and identify National Agricultural Aviation Association Convention for the discounted room rate.
  • Rate: $159/night
  • Room block deadline: Oct. 24

Hilton (One Block From Convention Center)

  • 815 Main St Fort Worth, Texas 76102
  • Reservations: Book your room online here or call 817-870-2100 and identify National Agricultural Aviation Association Convention for the discounted room rate.
  • Rate: $159/night
  • Room block deadline: Oct. 24

NOTE: No one from (or on behalf of) any of the hotels or NAAA will contact you to book a hotel room. NAAA recommends that you make your own hotel reservations using the information we provide. Do not book a room with any company that calls you directly.

Details for the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo

  • Dates: Nov. 18-21, 2024
  • Location: Fort Worth Convention Center and Omni (directly across the street)
  • Kickoff Breakfast Speaker: Kevin Humphreys DSC, Ex-Army Officer, rescue helicopter pilot, and mental health ambassador
  • Schedule of Events: See the current, tentative schedule here.
  • Hotel: Details here
  • Attendee Registration: Opens in July
  • Exhibitor Booth Sales: Details here for large booth sales that open in late March and 10’x10’ and 10’x20’ booth sales that open on July 11. Please email Lauren Henretty if you would like to secure a large booth space (any booth size 10’x30’ or larger).
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: Opportunities will be available in March in all budget sizes. Please email Lindsay if you would like to secure a sponsorship from last year or be contacted about 2024 opportunities!
  • Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a PT6-34AG to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. While we are still several months away from the Ag Aviation Expo, we are already accepting donations for 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 Lauren with your donation details.

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Nominations Open for the 2024 NAAA Awards!

Do you have a rising pilot within your ranks? Do you admire certain NAAA members’ outstanding service to the industry or their community? The aerial application industry is filled with exceptional people who go above and beyond the call of duty, often with little fanfare. Make someone’s day or year by nominating them for a 2024 NAAA Award.

NAAA’s online submission form is easy and quick to use; nominate someone in just a few clicks at https://www.agaviation.org/ag-aviation-expo/awards/.

Who will be among this year’s awardees? Nominations are due Aug. 5.

There are nine NAAA Award categories and one NAAREF Award. The nomination deadline is Aug. 5, but early nominations are encouraged. The longer you wait, the busier you’ll get as the summer season approaches.

NAAA Award Categories

Agrinaut Award: Honors an agricultural aircraft operator, operating organization, or allied member company that has made an outstanding contribution in the field of ag aircraft operations. The achievement cited shall have contributed to the “state-of-the-art” for the benefit of the agricultural aircraft industry as a whole.

Allied Industry Individual Award: Recognizes an NAAA member or staff and/or an allied industry individual who has significantly contributed their efforts for the benefit of the allied industry and the aerial application industry. (Presented by the NAAA Allied Industry Committee.)

Delta Air Lines “Puffer” Award: Recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the design of agricultural aircraft and/or related equipment.

Evans-Christopher Operation S.A.F.E. Award: Recognizes individuals or entities that have made outstanding contributions to the Operation S.A.F.E. program. (Presented by NAAREF.)

John Robert Horne Memorial Award: Honors a pilot with five or fewer years of experience in the agricultural aviation industry who has an exemplary safety record and has contributed to safety in ag aviation. This award no longer has carryover nominations from year to year; a new nomination must be submitted every year.

Larsen-Miller Community Service Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by a member to his or her community.

Opal and Bill Binnion Memorial Award: Acknowledges those who contribute to NAAA in its efforts to educate the public about aerial application.

Richard “Dick” Reade Memorial Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by an allied industry member and their company.

William O. Marsh Safety Award: Recognizes significant achievements in safety, safety education or an outstanding operational safety program.

Zoren and Joan O’Brien Memorial Outstanding Service Award: Awards outstanding service to the commercial agricultural aviation industry or to its association.

The 2024 NAAA Award recipients will be honored at the Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet on Nov. 20 in Fort Worth, Texas.

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HAI Becomes Vertical Aviation International

This week, Helicopter Association International (HAI) announced at their annual HAI Heli-Expo that the association is changing its name to Vertical Aviation International (VAI) to better represent the wave of expansion of new aircraft and technologies taking to the skies. The HAI Heli-Expo annual convention and trade show name will change to VERTICON. 

HAI stated, “Our industry is evolving, and our association must change with it. Our vision at VAI is clear and audacious: to be the world’s most vital membership association leading the evolution and expansion of vertical flight. We are resolute in shaping the future of our dynamic industry, fostering its growth, and ensuring that communities worldwide reap the benefits of vertical flight’s remarkable capabilities.”

While the association’s name and appearance have evolved, the most important change is VAI’s expanded focus on supporting all aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing. VAI has reiterated that they continue to represent helicopters, which complete missions that no other aircraft can accomplish. 

Beyond the name change, VAI stated that they remain committed to offering effective advocacy, communication channels, safety programs, education, and networking opportunities. Their new website will soon launch at verticalavi.org. 

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AD Issued for GE M601 Engines

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-13-07 (dated June 14, 2021) which applies to several GE Aviation Czech M601 turboprop engines. The original AD was based on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0125-E, and required recalculating the life of critical parts. 

Since the original AD was issued, the manufacturer published the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual, which includes the calculations for the life of critical parts addressed by the original AD. EASA revised AD 2021-0125-E and issued AD 2021-0125R1 (dated January 30, 2023) to limit the applicability and remove the requirements that have been incorporated into the ALS. 

AD 2024-02-04, the FAA’s superseding AD, is effective March 28, 2024. It limits the applicability, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0125R1, to non-agricultural variants of the M601.

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AD Issued for Certain Robinson R22, R44 and R66 Tail Rotor Tip Caps

The FAA has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD 2024-04-02) for certain Robinson R22, R44 and R66 helicopters. Reports of helicopters losing a tail rotor blade (TRB) tip cap prompted this AD. Robinson has also seen TRBs that have corroded to an unserviceable condition, including severe leading edge pitting and degradation of the bond at the tip cap. A debonded TRB tip cap can cause severe vibration and possible failure of the tail rotor gearbox housing. 

This AD requires regular visual inspections of certain part-numbered and serial-numbered TRB tip caps for evidence of corrosion, removing corrosion and eventual removal of those TRBs from service. 

This AD is effective April 2, 2024.

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AD Proposed for Bell 407 Fuel System Standpipe

The FAA has proposed adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 407 helicopters with serial numbers 54832 through 54931 inclusive, 54933 through 54939 inclusive, and 54942 through 54954 inclusive with a fuel system standpipe assembly (standpipe) part number 407-062-032-103 installed. 

Transport Canada AD CF-2023-11 advises that, due to a quality escape, the affected standpipes may have been delivered with sharp edges at the internal weld joints. If not corrected, this condition could lead to fuel quantity system wiring damage, loss of or erratic fuel quantity indication or a potential for fuel tank ignition.

The proposed AD would require inspection of the interior of the standpipe as shown in Bell Alert Service Bulletin 407-21-124, and inspection of the fuel quantity harness assembly. Depending on the results of the inspections, corrective actions before further flight may be directed.

Comments on this proposed AD are due April 5, 2024.

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