Last Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a $145.1 billion appropriations bill to support federal agriculture and nutrition programs for the 2019 fiscal year. The $145.1 billion in discretionary and mandatory funding is $6.2 billion above the President’s budget request and $710 million below the enacted level for the 2018 fiscal year. Read More

Gettysburg, Pa.-based Helicopter Applicators Inc. (HAI) stirred the hearts of armed service members and military veterans this week by displaying a Huey helicopter in Memorial Day parades in Gettysburg and Hanover, Pa. Read More

The Department of Justice announced it has given antitrust approval to Bayer for its $62.5 billion purchase of Monsanto. The merger of German-based Bayer, a leading chemical and pesticide company, with St. Louis-based agri-chemical and seed supplier Monsanto is expected to create the world’s biggest supplier of seeds and crop protection products.  Read More

On May 23, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to require visually inspecting each tail rotor blade for a crack on Robinson Helicopter Company Models R44 and R44 II helicopters with tail rotor blade part number (P/N) C029-1 or P/N C029-2 installed. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of cracking in certain tail rotor blades. Read More

On May 18, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to require an Airworthiness Directive repetitively inspecting and adjusting the throttle linkage on more than 20 Scotts-Bell 47 Inc. aircraft models. Read More

We look forward to seeing you in Palm Springs, Calif., for our October NAAA and NAAREF committee and board meetings. Most meetings take place Oct. 5–6 with a couple of meetings beginning on Oct. 4. PAASS Train the Trainer will take place Oct. 3–4. All meetings are open to NAAA members. Read More

Now in its 28th year, the Environmental Respect Awards is the agricultural industry’s premier stewardship program honoring outstanding work in preserving the environment through safe, responsible business practices. Interested aerial applicators have until June 7 to make a compelling case for their operation’s environmental stewardship program. Read More

We’re still several months away from the 2018 Ag Aviation Expo in Reno, Nev., Dec. 3–6, but it’s not too early to donate an item for the Live and Silent Auction. Don’t forget the old adage, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” If you have an item you no longer have a need for, and it is still in good shape and usable, it may be worth a lot to another attendee! Read More