2026-01-15

NAAA launched the aerial application industry survey this week. The survey covers the year 2025 and your participation is critical. The goal is to gather data that can be used to promote the importance of the ag aviation industry to the public, government agencies, grower groups, and pesticide manufacturers. The information gathered in the survey is used to protect our industry from proposed aerial application bans, additional burdensome regulations, and threats to your safety.

David McCarty of Columbia Basin Helicopters, Inc., based in La Grande, Oregon, perished on January 2 in a helicopter accident in Arizona, along with his three nieces. McCarty was residing in Queen Creek, Arizona and he was flying his nieces, Katelyn Heideman and sisters Rachel and Faith McCarty, all in their early twenties, to see the sights before his wedding ceremony that afternoon.

The Winter 2026 issue of Agricultural Aviation is available online and in the Agricultural Aviation Magazine App. Stories include introductions to the 2026 NAAA officer team, a policy review of 2025 and what’s in store for this year, results from the 2025 operator industry survey, a review of 2025 accidents and an article on the success of the Ag Aviation Expo.

Recently, Brandon Vilt’s One-Legged Aviation YouTube channel spent time with NAAA member Rodney Shelley of Whirlwind Aviation in Fisher, AR, offering viewers an inside look at agricultural aviation. During the interview, Rodney walked Brandon through a true “day in the life” of an ag pilot.