2026-02-20

A Full Aerial Application Agenda in Our Nation’s Capital Area Occurred Last Week as NAAA, NAAREF and Leadership Training for Tomorrow’s Industry Leaders Took Place

Multiple substantive aerial application industry events took place this past week in and surrounding our nation’s capital. This included advocating to federal regulators and legislators the importance of the aerial application industry to agriculture and the importance of sound policy to ensure the industry can continue to conduct its mission.

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FAA Implements Special Emphasis Enforcement Program for UAS Operations

On January 21, 2026, FAA updated its Compliance and Enforcement (C&E) Program in FAA Order 2150.3C with Change 13 to provide for a special emphasis enforcement program applicable to UAS operations that endanger the public, violate airspace restrictions, or further a crime. This new policy affects all agency personnel who investigate, report or process statutory or regulatory violations involving UAS.

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FAA’s FAASTeam Webinar on Drone Registration Scheduled for February 24 at 19:00 CST—Registration is Required for Drones Used in Section 44807 Exemptions and Part 137 Operations

Join The Ag Drone Podcast on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 19:00 Central Standard Time for a free educational webinar focused on FAA drone registration requirements. FAA registration is required for all drones operating under Section 44807 exemptions and Part 137 agricultural aircraft operations. As the 2026 spray season approaches, this webinar will help operators ensure compliance and avoid registration delays.

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NAAA Leadership Programs Prepare Industry Advocates in Washington, DC

The NAAA/Syngenta Leadership Training Program (LTP) and its sibling program, Leadership At Its Best (LAIB), have been shaping strong leaders in agricultural aviation since 1995. An intensive five-day course was held recently in the Washington, DC area, equipping participants with the skills to effectively communicate the positive role aerial application plays in agriculture to the public, media, and government officials.

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AD Proposed for Bell 407 Instrument Panel Electrical Harness Chafing

The FAA has proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 407 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that chafing can occur at various locations on the electrical harnesses located in the aircraft instrument panel area. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed visual inspection of the electrical harnesses for chafing and corrective actions if necessary.

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Ag Aviation Industry Needs Your Information – Please Participate in NAAA Industry Survey, Coming to Your In-Box from [email protected]

The aerial application industry was released a few weeks ago, but we need far more ag operators and pilots to answer the call for data. The participation rate for the last industry in 2018 was over 35% – it’s important that at the very least we match that response rate with this survey. The current survey has 25% fewer questions than the 2018 survey, so NAAA is hoping for an even greater response rate this time.

Read More Ag Aviation Industry Needs Your Information – Please Participate in NAAA Industry Survey, Coming to Your In-Box from [email protected]