March 21, 2025

The NAAA issued a press release to multiple news, agricultural and aviation media sources throughout the U.S. earlier this week highlighting the contributions of aerial applicators to agricultural production in celebration of National Ag Day which was March 18th, a day recognizing the significant contributions that farmers, ranchers, aerial applicators and the entire agriculture industry make to our daily lives.

A new FAA interpretation has resulted in the AT-802/802A being classified as a “large aircraft” with respect to §FAR 91.409 and has resulted in Air Tractor being required to revise their AT-802/802A Owner’s Manual to remove language pertaining to Annual Inspections. The issue stems from a long-held assumption that the annual inspection requirement in §91.409(a) applied to the AT-802/AT-802A just as it did for all other ag aircraft. This assumption was held for over 30 years by aircraft manufacturers, operators, mechanics, and FAA inspectors.

NAAA’s Lindsay Barber, director of communications and meetings was quoted in the Association Conventions & Facilities magazine on the success of the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. The magazine is a source for association meeting planning management professionals and is read by 20,500 subscribers. Barber and the Visit Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau staff were interviewed.

NAAA is committed to sharing newsworthy stories and social media posts that showcase the contributions of the agricultural aviation industry and our members. However, we can’t do it alone and that’s where you come in. NAAA encourages state or regional associations, NAAA members, and industry insiders to submit stories that bring positive attention to the vital work being done across the country.