July 18, 2024

House Appropriators Advance 2025 Ag Spending Bill with Supportive Language for USDA Aerial Application Research

House appropriators advanced a fiscal year 2025 agriculture funding bill last week that includes NAAA advocated committee report language supportive of aerial application technology research. Since 2002 through the current federal government fiscal year of 2024, NAAA has been successful in securing an additional $13,112,500 for the Aerial Application Technology Research Unit (AATRU) within USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

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Mike Hudolin Fatally Injured in Third Ag Mid-Air Collision of 2024

On July 11, Toney Mickel “Mike” Hudolin became the nineth person fatally injured in an ag aviation accident, the third in a mid-air collision, this season. NAAA members and staff offer prayers and condolences to Mike’s family and friends.

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Firefighting Pilot Ronald “Van” Patton Lost in Airplane Accident

Ronald “Van” Patton was fatally injured last month in an airplane accident near Capitan, New Mexico. He was flying his SEAT firefighting aircraft from Texas to Oregon to help battle fires in that state. Van was a second-generation pilot who earned his pilot’s certificate as a teenager. NAAA members and staff offer their condolences to Van’s family and friends as they mourn his loss.

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Ron Cline Celebrates Independence Day: Soaring High with the American Flag in His Helicopter

On July 4th, Ron Cline, NAAA Operator member of Central Valley Helicopters in Ellensburg, WA, took to the skies to honor his country by flying around his local valley with an American flag in tow. Ron flew to show his appreciation to all patriots and those who have served.

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AD Proposed for R22/R44 Governor Controller

The FAA has received three reports of R22 Beta and R44 II governor controller failures which resulted in underspeed or overspeed events, two of which resulted in hard landings which caused significant damage to the helicopter. Each of these separate incidents occurred after significant rainfall where the helicopter was exposed to those weather conditions.

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ACRC Ag Container Collection & Recycling Services Update

The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC), as we reported in April 2024 is covering several new service territories within the southern US states and expanding its nationwide program. This year alone over 3,400,000 lbs. of plastic has been collected, according to the ACRC with a 2024 goal of 13,450,000 lbs. of plastic containers.

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