Hall of Fame Honors Fran de Kock’s Lifetime of Leadership and Safety

The National Agricultural Aviation Historical Committee (formerly NAAHOF) has selected Fran de Kock for induction into the National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame, recognizing more than 50 years of leadership, innovation, and dedication to agricultural aviation safety and pilot training.

de Kock began flying in 1975 in Alberta and Saskatchewan before founding Battlefords Airspray with his wife, Patricia, in 1980. What started as a small operation with two trainers and two spray aircraft grew into a highly respected business with a diverse fleet, including Air Tractor 504s and 502s, Gippsland GA200s, and other purpose-built ag aircraft. The company was sold in 2021, but its training legacy continues.

A pioneer in progressive ag pilot instruction, de Kock developed structured transition programs that moved pilots from tailwheel aircraft to turbine-powered ag airplanes. He introduced side-by-side instruction with the Gippsland GA200 in 2001 and later incorporated the dual-seat Air Tractor 504 in 2012, helping to set a new standard for turbine transition training.

Beyond his company, de Kock has made a lasting international impact through his work with the Canadian Aerial Applicators Association (CAAA), NAAA, and NAAREF. He has led safety seminars, appeared in training videos, PAASS videos, and taught on critical topics such as wire strike avoidance, emergency procedures, and stall recognition, always emphasizing his core mission of bringing pilots home safely to their families. At the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo, de Kock led the Turning an Ag Plane Safely course; he will teach a shorter version at this year’s Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Still active as a certified flight instructor, de Kock continues mentoring the next generation of agricultural aviators. de Kock was awarded the NAAA William O. Marsh Safety Award in 2020, which recognizes significant achievements in safety, safety education or an outstanding operational safety program. His Hall of Fame induction honors a career defined by safety, service, and an enduring commitment to excellence in ag aviation. He will be honored at the Ag Aviation Expo’s Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in Savannah, GA. Registration will open in July. To read the full article in Ag Air Update, click here.