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
- Important Tools Available to Support Health and Environmental Benefits of Pesticides in Light of Upcoming Make America Healthy Again Commission Report, Due for Release Next Week
- NAAA Releases Flight Risk Assessment Tool to Enhance Agricultural Aviation Safety
- Spray Tracer Product in Development That Could Exonerate Applicators from Drift Claims, Take a Survey if You’re Interested in Such a Product
- FAA Expected to Add Real-Time Tracking to BVLOS Drone Rule in Response to New Jersey UFO Reports
- New Resources on Importance and Careers in Agricultural Aviation Now Available
- FAA Releases Airworthiness Concern Sheet Over Vibrations for Bell 206L Models
- NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Hotel Room Block Open
Important Tools Available to Support Health and Environmental Benefits of Pesticides in Light of Upcoming Make America Healthy Again Commission Report, Due for Release Next Week
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, established by President Trump’s White House Executive Order in February is expected to release its initial assessment to identify the nature of childhood chronic disease in the U.S. and compare the U.S. to other nations. There is concern that due to past advocacy critical to the use of pesticides by the chair of the MAHA Commission, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., that pesticides will be unfairly spotlighted in the MAHA initial assessment even though reams of credible and sound scientific data exists supporting their judicious use in growing a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply and protecting public health.
In the event the report is critical of pesticides, NAAA, CropLife America and numerous other responsible manufacturers and users of pesticides are reiterating the availability of educational materials supporting the importance of pesticides and the safety of their use when applied professionally and responsibly. NAAA’s website pages: https://www.agaviation.org/about/about-ag-aviation/industry-facts-faqs/ includes important information on the importance of the aerial application industry, and the need and safety of using pesticides. Additional information for NAAA members on the environmental safety of pesticides may be found at: https://www.agaviation.org/communications/media-relations-kit/environmental-safety-aspects-of-agricultural-aviation/.
The MAHA Commission also includes but is not limited to USDA Secretary Rollins and EPA Administrator Zeldin, two cabinet officials that support pesticide use in ag production and that thoroughly test pesticides for safety, respectively. After the initial assessment is released next week by August 12, the Commission will submit a strategy with policy recommendations on the potential causes of chronic disease in children. NAAA supports the MAHA movement’s goals to improve health outcomes for Americans while protecting our most vulnerable populations, including children.
HHS Secretary Kennedy has faced pointed questions on his stance opposing vaccines directly contradicting that of medical professionals. In an article in today’s Wall Street Journal it was documented that Kennedy’s attempt to label pesticides as a potential cause of U.S. health woes has attracted pushback from some White House and agency officials who are concerned the move would disrupt the food-supply chain. Kennedy sued over pesticides in his past career as an environmental litigator. He helped win an initial $289 million verdict in 2018 against Monsanto, then the maker of Roundup, for a groundskeeper who developed cancer and said he wasn’t warned properly about the herbicide’s risks. The U.S. EPA has said glyphosate doesn’t cause cancer.
Some facts on the judicious use of pesticides includes:
- Access to well-regulated pesticides is critical in allowing American farmers to provide healthy, nutritious, affordable food.
- The pesticides used by American farmers are vigorously studied and highly regulated by the EPA. They are thoroughly vetted by food, health, and environmental scientists to ensure that they do not pose an unreasonable risk when used as directed and “that no harm will result from” exposure to pesticide residues on food.
- The EPA requires models and study protocols subject to extensive public scrutiny and independent scientific peer review. EPA’s review process emphasizes protecting the most vulnerable populations – most often children–from pesticide risks related to exposure and toxicity.
- Annual testing from scientists at USDA and FDA finds that more than 99% of food and feed products comply with stringent pesticide residue standards. All pesticide products are monitored and are subject to review whenever new scientific data becomes available to help ensure they meet current scientific standards.
NAAA Releases Flight Risk Assessment Tool to Enhance Agricultural Aviation Safety
NAAA has released a Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) specifically designed to enhance the safety of agricultural aviation. The Ag Aviation FRAT can be found by clicking here. It was created to assist ag pilots in quickly but thoroughly evaluating the risks involved with each flight. It is the result of several years of effort from the FRAT subcommittee, working under NAAA’s Safety & Federal Aviation Regulations Committee. The goal is to improve safety in the ag aviation industry by providing a tool to focus attention on items which directly impact the safety of the current mission.
The Ag Aviation FRAT can be used by any ag pilot interested in improving their safety. The target audience is inexperienced ag pilots who may need assistance when it comes to evaluating the risks they face. Situations where it might be especially useful include when a new pilot is being sent out of state to an unfamiliar area for the first time to assist an operation in the middle of a busy spray period, and a new pilot being asked to work by themselves at a satellite strip for the first time. In both instances, the associated stress and pressure to perform can push safety from the forefront of the pilot’s mind. Using the Ag Aviation FRAT can re-assert safety to the front of their thoughts and ensure critical risk factors are considered before flying.
The Ag Aviation FRAT differs from a traditional FRAT in that each risk is written in the form of a question that is answered with a simple yes or no. At the end, the pilot is instructed that if they answered no to any question, they need to reconsider the flight or find mitigations to lower their risk. Contacting an experienced ag pilot mentor is specifically mentioned – if a pilot is unsure of what to do, they need to talk to someone who has the experience and will put the pilot’s safety ahead of everything else. No one wants to be told no, but in some cases, especially for new ag pilots, no is the right answer.
Traditional FRATs cover risks grouped in several categories, including the pilot, aircraft, environment, and external pressures. They are intended to be completed entirely before every flight. For ag aviation flights, having a pilot rate the risk associated with their total hours or if they wear a helmet before every flight would result in an overly time-consuming task, likely to be quickly abandoned. The Ag Aviation FRAT, by contrast, is organized by time – items are grouped based on when the risks should be evaluated. There are questions grouped in four time periods:
- Annual Questions – questions which only need to be asked on a yearly basis. Of course, if something does change during the season, such as development of a chronic illness, then these questions should be revisited.
- Monthly Questions – questions that should be asked monthly. While some items may not change every month, others may. Similar to the annual questions, if a pilot suddenly gets assigned a new aircraft or their workload changes substantially, reviewing these questions again is necessary.
- Daily Questions – these questions should be reviewed every day before your first flight. Some items on the IMSAFE checklist may change during the day, particularly stress and emotion. Revisit as needed.
- Before Each Flight Questions – these questions should be asked before every flight.
Ag pilots can utilize the Ag Aviation FRAT however they choose. A complete FRAT can be filled out for the annual and monthly questions and left on their desk or posted somewhere at the operation. The daily and before each flight questions can be cut from a full print out and kept in the aircraft. If pilots want to create lamented FRATs for just specific sections, portions of the FRAT (which is formatted as a PDF) can be easily copied and pasted into a new document for printing.
In addition to the FRAT, NAAA is also making available two stickers generously shared by JBI Helicopters, owned and operated by NAAA’s 2024 President, Ray Newcomb. Both are designed to be used in the cockpit where they can serve as a constant reminder to the threats faced during an aerial application. The first is a reminder about flying in the wire environment, and the second is a reminder to keep scanning, with a wheel of mission critical items an ag pilot must keep looking at during an aerial application.
NAAA encourages all ag pilots to utilize the Ag Aviation FRAT. Constantly evaluating your risks helps to keep safety as your top priority. If you have feedback about the Ag Aviation FRAT that you would like to contribute, please send it to Scott Bretthauer.
Spray Tracer Product in Development That Could Exonerate Applicators from Drift Claims, Take a Survey if You’re Interested in Such a Product
Have you ever been subjected to a frivolous drift claim? Have you ever had to settle for damage you know you didn’t cause but can’t prove otherwise? Would you love to prove that you didn’t drift onto someone’s property? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Aanika Biosciences may be working on a product for you.
Aanika is developing a spray tracer called BioTag that can be added to spray mixtures to positively identify all spray deposits originating from that spray mixture. The goal is to allow pesticide applicators to determine if spray involved in a complaint originated from their application. This could be especially useful in frivolous drift claims as it could quickly identify if the accused did in fact drift. A unique biocode can be created for each operation, so even if there are several aerial application businesses using it in the same area, each can have a code specific to their spray mixtures.
BioTag would be offered as a package that includes spray drift insurance, backed by Lloyds of London. It is a dormant bacteria spore currently used for food traceability, meaning it’s food safe and can be applied to all food and feed crops. BioTag will stick to plants and other surfaces and does not get washed off easily in rain. It would be detectable on clothing, but not if the clothing had already been run through the laundry.
BioTag for spray traceability is still in the development phase. Aanika Bio is conducting field trials with University of Minnesota this summer to verify its performance. They are also investigating the potential interest from the ag aviation industry. If you might be interested in BioTag, please click here for a one question survey.
FAA Expected to Add Real-Time Tracking to BVLOS Drone Rule in Response to New Jersey UFO Reports
According to a statement made earlier this week by the FAA’s executive director of rulemaking, Brandon Roberts, the FAA is expected to have a requirement for real-time tracking of certain civilian drones included within a forthcoming drone beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) rule. The BVLOS rule is intended to allow drones to go out of their operator’s direct eyesight. Currently, FAA approves waivers for BVLOS flights on a case-by-case basis. This action is in response to widespread reports last year of unexplained drone sightings over New Jersey, whether it was over President Trump’s National Golf Club in Bedminster or the U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal.
The BVLOS rule is currently pending DOT and OMB approvals and still subject to change before being released for public comment. The real time tracking requirement was compared to tracking services like FlightAware or ADS-B Exchange, which allow people to see a flight’s tracking information in real time, or to see a flight’s origin, landing point, and the route it took to get there.
Currently, the FAA practice is to go to drone operators or companies after something happens — in the same way that some uncoordinated flights in New Jersey sent local officials searching for answers — the new approach would allow the agency to aggregate that information in near real time. The agency does require privately-operated drones to be registered, and also to broadcast a digital license plate that shows its identifying serial number, altitude, and approximate location (Remote ID), but those signals that broadcast the Remote ID don’t travel very far due to the limiting distance of Bluetooth or WiFi. The FAA’s drone integration office reports that there are 872,000 drones registered with the FAA and that 47 percent of those are Remote ID compliant.
New Resources on Importance and Careers in Agricultural Aviation Now Available
The NAAA Communications Committee is pleased to announce the release of two new resources that you can use to support outreach and education efforts about the agricultural aviation industry. These resource pages have QR codes for direct access to more details on the NAAA website for industry facts detailing the importance of agricultural aviation to crop production and industry career opportunities. The materials are ideal for sharing at ag expos, training events, school visits, or with anyone interested in learning more about the field.
Available Resources:
- Ag Aviation Industry Facts-Directs people to NAAA’s Industry FAQs webpage at https://www.agaviation.org/about/about-ag-aviation/industry-facts-faqs/ that provides a brief overview of the agricultural aviation industry, highlighting its essential role in food production, crop protection, and public health. It’s a quick-reference guide for explaining the value and impact of aerial application.
- Ag Aviation Careers Facts-Directs people to NAAA’s Career webpage at https://www.agaviation.org/career/ and is tailored for those curious about career paths in ag aviation, the various positions available, required training, and the benefits of working in this exciting and impactful field.
These materials can be printed off the NAAA website here, under Additional Resources. We encourage members to use them to help educate the public and inspire the next generation of agricultural aviation professionals at shows in their communities.
FAA Releases Airworthiness Concern Sheet Over Vibrations for Bell 206L Models
The FAA has released an Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) for Bell Textron Canada Limited Models 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4. The ACS is a result of reports received by the FAA of severe vertical vibrations on Bell 206L helicopters. These events are inconsistent in their repeatability and post-flight inspections have not identified any failure that caused the vibration event.
The FAA is interested in receiving any information on occurrences of in-flight abnormal vertical vibrations and the conditions/configurations of the rotorcraft at the time of the event. Requested information includes configuration of the aircraft, flight conditions during the vibration event, date of the vibration event, actions performed by the pilot in response to the event, and any findings after the event. See the ACS for full details.
An ACS is neither regulatory nor mandatory. It requests feedback from the aviation industry on a voluntary basis and is intended to increase communications between the FAA and the aviation industry so that input from industry can be used to inform FAA’s analysis of the safety issue. For this ACS, FAA has not yet decided if a corrective action will be necessary or what it might be, but it could involve an Airworthiness Directive (AD) or a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB). The FAA’s final determination will depend in part on the information received in response to this ACS.
NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Hotel Room Block Open
The NAAA hotel room block is now open for the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo at the Atlantis in Reno, Nov. 17-19. The Atlantis has undergone extensive renovations in all sleeping rooms and several restaurants in the hotel.
All events will take place at the Atlantis or Reno-Sparks Convention Center, which are connected via a skywalk.
Attendees need 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!
As you plan your Reno trip, please note that two safety sessions will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15. The sessions will be the Flying in the Wire & Obstruction Environment Course and Turning an Ag Airplane Safely Course, taught by Fran de Kock. Additional details and times of each session will be available soon.
Atlantis Hotel Reservations
3800 S. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89502
Hotel Phone: (775) 825-4700
The Atlantis resort fee is waived for attendees and exhibitors who book in the NAAA room block ($40 savings per night).
- Reservations: Book your room online here or call (800) 723-6500 and identify National Agricultural Aviation Association Convention for the discounted room rate. The Atlantis charges a one-room night fee per room booked to hold the room(s). A refund is provided if the room is cancelled 48 hours or prior to the arrival date.
- Rate: $139/night
- Room block deadline: October 30, 2025
NOTE: No one from (or on behalf of) the hotel or NAAA will contact you to book a hotel room. NAAA recommends that you make your own hotel reservations using the information that we provide to you. Do not book a room with any company that calls you directly. You may also receive spam emails to purchase lists from NAAA; this is spam and NAAA does not solicit selling lists of attendees/visitors.
Details for the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo
- Dates: Nov. 17-19 (Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment and Turning an Ag Airplane Safely Courses will take place Nov. 15)
- NAAA Hotel Room Block: Open
- Exhibit Booth Sales: Aircraft and large booth space now open. 10×10 and 10×20 booth sales open July 10 at 12 p.m. ET. Contact Lindsay Barber for large booth space.
- Attendee Registration Open: July
- Never been to Reno? Learn more here.
- Flying Into Reno: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) has eleven airlines providing more than 120 daily departures and arrivals.
- Flying your own aircraft: Visit www.renoairport.com/general-aviation/. NAAA recommends Stellar Aviation FBO, and we’ll have more details about specials as we approach the expo dates.
In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter
Click here for the May 8, 2025 eNewsletter to read:
- 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