December 18, 2025

Legislation Eliminating Burden of Clean Water Act’s Permits for Pesticide Applications Already Approved for Water Safety Under FIFRA Advances in Congress

Late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the PERMIT Act (HR 3898) by a vote of 221-205. The legislation includes the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, which was originally introduced by Rep. Rouzer (R-NC) as HR 3824, and other Clean Water Act permit reform bills. The legislation would exclude permit applications to or near water from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) pesticide general permits (PGPs).

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Research on Economic Value of Agricultural Aviation Industry Published in Journal of Agribusiness Highlighting a Loss of 24% for Producers if Aerial Application Were Not Available

Research supported by the NAAA that documented the economic impact of the agricultural aviation industry in the United States has been published in the Journal of Agribusiness, a peer-reviewed journal published by the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia. The article “Value of the Agricultural Aerial Application Industry in the United States Delineated by Crops Grown and by State: A Counterfactual Study” was published in Volume 40, Issue Number 2 of the journal.

Read More Research on Economic Value of Agricultural Aviation Industry Published in Journal of Agribusiness Highlighting a Loss of 24% for Producers if Aerial Application Were Not Available
2025 C-PAASS – Application Closing Friday!

The time is almost up to apply to become a 2025 Certified-Professional Aerial Applicator Safety Steward (C-PAASS). 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.

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AD Issued for AStar Cargo Swing Emergency Release Control

The FAA has adopted a new airworthiness directive (AD 2025-24-06) for certain Airbus Helicopters AStar and TwinStar helicopters. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued EASA AD 2025-0025, dated January 23, 2025 to correct an unsafe condition on AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3, AS 355 NP, AS 355 N, and EC 130 B4 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with ONBOARD systems 3500LB, having part number (P/N) 704A41811035.

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Superseding AD Issued for AStar Vertical Fin Spar

The FAA has adopted a new airworthiness directive (AD 2025-24-04) to supersede AD 2021-20-16, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 and AS355 helicopters. AD 2021-20-16 was issued in October 2021 and required repetitive cleaning and visual and detailed inspections of the right-hand side of the vertical fin spar and vertical fin upper attachments for discrepancies (cracking) with corrective action, if necessary.

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NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Feb. 12-14 in Alexandria, VA, All Members Invited

The February 2026 NAAA & NAAREF Board and Committee meetings will take place at the Hilton Old Town in Alexandria, VA. Click here to view a schedule of meetings. All meetings are open to NAAA members. If you are not a board or committee member but you’re interested in attending, please contact Lindsay Barber for more details.

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2026 NAAA Membership Renewal Now Open

Thank you for your support as a 2025 member of NAAA. We request your continued support by renewing your NAAA membership for 2026 today. While you have been busy aiding farmers to produce a safe, affordable, and abundant supply of food, fiber, and bioenergy, NAAA has been busy making sure low-altitude airspace is safe for your aerial application business to operate, as well as ensuring that you have the pesticide products you need to do your job.

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