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Voice of the Aerial Application Industry
October 17, 2019
High-Minded Policy Established in Denver at NAAA-NAAREF Fall Board Meeting Last Week

NAAA and NAAREF held their fall Board meetings in Denver last week, Oct. 9–12. The meetings were very productive in training PAASS presenters on the latest ag aviation professional curriculum, and in developing substantive policies to progress NAAA, NAAREF and the ag aviation industry forward.

Train the Trainer

The first meetings included training the PAASS presenters on the new, original curriculum that NAAREF develops each year on operational security, aviation safety and environmental professionalism. The 2019–2020 program, which began this week at Colorado’s (CoAAA) state convention, will analyze a recent, actual break-in at the ag aviation operation of 2018 NAAA President Gary Jerger in Minnesota and precautions that were taken after the burglary to improve its security. The aviation safety segment will focus on actual controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents and lessons learned from the pilots involved. The environmental professional curriculum’s focus is on how to prepare for an ag aircraft application equipment testing clinic, or on how to test one’s own equipment. 

AgAv PAC Breakfast

NAAA national and Colorado members were treated to a great address on Oct.11 at an AgAv PAC fundraising breakfast featuring U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) who briefed the audience on the present partisan environment in our nation’s capital between legislators. He also emphasized the importance of why it is important for those involved in agriculture to fight for what they believe in and to support those that represent their rural, farming interests.

 General Session: State of the Association/Industry Report

The General Session of the Board meeting began with President Perry Hofer (South Dakota) welcoming the Board and Committee members. He then introduced Andrew Moore, NAAA executive director, who presented an overview of key policies and trends occurring in the ag industry as well as numerous efforts NAAA and NAAREF have been undertaking. He started by touching on how the USDA is predicting net farm income to be $88 billion, 5% above last year, but 22% of that dollar figure is from direct subsides including trade relief and disaster payments. The trade troubles with China markedly curbing U.S. ag purchases have hurt the U.S. ag economy as well as excessive moisture and a very late spring in 2019. This resulted in 19.2 million acres going unplanted this year. Moore then discussed NAAA’s ag aviation economic survey conducted this fall that included some figures to be optimistic about, such as an increase in the number of hours flown by operators in 2019 by 18.3% (329 hours per aircraft in 2019 versus 278.2 hours in 2018, and 2.23 aircraft per operation in 2019 versus 2.2 aircraft in 2018). A higher percentage of operators are optimistic about the upcoming 2020 season (53%), than are skeptical. Also 69.3% of operators treated greater, somewhat greater or the same number of acres in 2019 versus 2018 (60%). 

 

Moore went on to state that due to partisan bickering in Washington, D.C., very little substantive policy has been enacted by the Congress and this will likely continue until Jan. 20, 2021, the next inauguration. No infrastructure bill is expected to be enacted this Congress, which was looked upon as possibly being a vehicle to attach tower marking subsidy funds and expanding marking to communication towers. Moore did state how NAAA has been diligently working on (re)registering crop protection products for aerial use by urging the placement of aerial use language on 63 active ingredient comment periods to EPA so far this year. He also mentioned NAAA’s involvement in successfully supporting the Trump Administration’s efforts to scale back the Obama administration’s proposal to markedly expand the definition of a Water of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act to actually include dry riverbeds. Moore forecast the environment in Washington, D.C., post Inauguration Day 2021. He stated that the House of Representatives is very likely to continue with a Democratic majority and the Senate is in play to possibly shift to a Democratic majority. Should such a scenario occur and there is a change in the presidency, the focus will very likely be on increasing taxes and reducing carbon in the environment through significantly increasing environmental regulations and taxes on carbon use. The chance of gridlock will likely remain between the executive and legislative branch in the event of a second term for President Trump; however, it is likely a reasonable regulatory environment would remain.

 

Moore also discussed federal drone policy. NAAA has been advocating in both the trade press and to the FAA and EPA that due to drones’ multi-rotor and prop configurations and lighter weight, they should be comprehensively tested for application efficacy and drift potential like manned ag aircraft were by the Spray Drift Task Force in the 1990s. Then proper pesticide use directions could be developed for them and possible approval granted for their broad use. He also mentioned that the FAA is looking at granting a waiver from providing right-of-way to manned aircraft to drones checking utility wires. NAAA has adamantly protested this proposed exemption due to ag aircraft’s operations around these utilities. 

 

Agricultural media was then discussed including a focus in the larger media about chlorpyrifos and glyphosate lawsuits. Not to be deterred on promoting the judicious and professional use of crop protection products, NAAA continued its placement of ads promoting the benefits of aerial application in AgWeb’s eNewsletter and CropLife magazine, with national circulations of 200,000 and 47,000, respectively, of farmers, retailers and crop consultants. The ads include directions to NAAA’s “Find an Aerial Applicator” search tool for those interested in contacting an NAAA member near them to provide effective aerial application work. NAAA has also proactively sent several press releases to the national media and the ag, UAV and aviation trade press throughout the country. The releases include cautioning drone operators about low-altitude manned ag aircraft. Data from our industry survey identifying a large increase in aerial application use (28% of all applications to commercial U.S. cropland) was also touted. These releases have been picked up in sUAS News, UAS magazine, Verticalmagazine, Farm Journal, CropLife magazine, AgPro magazine and RFD TV—which have combined circulations of well over 50 million. Moore also touched on accidents this year of which there have been a total of 52 with six fatalities, unfortunately. 

 

 

A briefing on the excellent lineup of NAAA’s Ag Aviation Expo scheduled for Nov. 18–21 in Orlando at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort was also discussed. Aerobatic pilot and Smithsonian Living Legend of Flight recipient Sean Tucker, former aerial applicator, will be the Kickoff Breakfast speaker. The General Session and education sessions will focus on topics from aerial imaging to the international ag and agri-chemical economy to FAA and UAV regs. Moore stated there are already 142 exhibitors, five aircraft (three fixed-wing; two rotorcraft) slated for the exposition floor. The auction includes Pratt & Whitney Canada’s donation of a PT6A-34AG turbine engine as well as a four-passenger golf cart from Air Tractor, a $15,000 gift certificate from Covington and a turbine transition course from Turbine Training Center. Hotel registrations for the convention are at a record high.

 

Moore touched on membership and the great tangibles that were provided to NAAA members this year from the 2019 Aerial Application Operator and Pilot Survey conducted every five-plus years to complimentary, limited legal consulting on federal transportation law that is now offered to NAAA members. Moore also mentioned that NAAA memberships are down in 2019 but new membership categories in a broadened operator and pilot category to include firefighting, public health and forestry applications along with an aerial-imaging category have been approved by the membership and may add to membership numbers. Lower membership numbers along with consolidation in the agri-chemical industry and lower sponsorships resulted in a slight $4,357 deficit for NAAA and a $66,224 deficit for NAAREF, yet reserves and total assets are very strong for both organizations. 

 

Moore did discuss challenges forthcoming to the industry such as efforts in California, Oregon, Washington and Colorado to cancel the use of pesticides such as chlorpyrifos and glyphosate without the consideration of sound science. Also mentioned were efforts in those states to enact notification periods and restrictions to aerial application, without considering commonplace technologies and techniques used to ensure its safety. He also mentioned the dietary trend for plant-based foods such as Burger King’s Impossible Whopper and that 40% of Millennials choose this lifestyle. These trends could result in fewer acres planted. He closed, however, with real opportunities for the aerial application industry to diversify into precision/variable-rate applications, pointing to how many international crop protection product companies are setting up consulting divisions in this field, such as Bayer’s Climate Corp, Corteva’s Encirca and Syngenta’s Strider. He also pointed to 12% of aerial applicators already conducting aerial-imaging today and 4% using drones to help develop the images necessary to conduct precision/variable rate applications.

Committee and Board Meetings

The following are the key takeaways from the NAAA and NAAREF Board and Committee meetings held Oct. 10–12 in Denver:

 

Budget & Finance: The Board approved motions from the Budget & Finance Committee to approve NAAA’s annual financial audit and it also set the dues rate for the aerial-imaging membership category at $200.

 

Communication and Public Relations: Much of the discussion at the meeting was about the upcoming 100th anniversary of agricultural aviation celebration that is forthcoming in 2021 and collecting information for the event. Work is already underway on a book covering the centennial. Chairman Sam Rogge of Colorado asked board members to go back to their states and regions and collect important information about the industry’s history and photographs and video for a documentary and exhibit information that will be developed for aviation and agricultural themed museums. Information should be sent to Colleen Isaacson on NAAA’s staff: cisaacson@agaviation.org.

 

Convention Committee: The focus was preparing for the upcoming Expo in Orlando next month at Rosen Shingle Creek, where all events will take place. There is a lot excitement surrounding numerous events such as the NAAREF fundraiser Putting for PAASS where foursomes will play a best ball on a putting course Sunday, Nov. 17, to win gift certificates to purchase NAAA merchandise at the Support Booth. The Relationship Drift educational session on Thursday, Nov. 21, will include operators and pilots and their spouses,significant others and office staff to analyze ways in which their relationship behavior can lead to a safer, more enjoyable ag aviation work environment. Early registration saves you $50 per person to attend and ends Oct. 18. Potential future convention sites were discussed including Denver, Reno, Fort Worth and Las Vegas. Future breakfast speakers were also discussed including Marcus Luttrell, Navy SEAL and author of Lone Survivor, the story of his teams’ 2005 battle with Taliban soldiers in Afghanistan. Luttrell’s speaking costs are $60,000 so significant sponsorships would need to be collected to book his engagement.

 

Governing Documents: A code of conduct ensuring members abide by professional behavior was developed and analyzed by the committee. A legal review of the document will occur before finalizing. The committee also approved a suggestion from the Membership Committee, which was subsequently approved by the board, to change the bylaws to no longer require that members belong to a state/regional ag aviation association in order to be an NAAA member. This change will be brought forward to the membership later for a vote.

 

Government Relations: NAAA’s efforts reregistering products for aerial use via the EPA reregistration process were praised, but discussions and action will take place to further aerial labeling initiatives by expanding work with agri-chemical manufacturers as well.

 

Long Range Planning: Due to public emphasis on environmental sustainability and also potentially significant additional costs for misapplications as high-value crops such as hemp become more widely present, the committee will be working to have GPS manufacturers, meteorological manufacturers and nozzle and flow control manufacturers to develop a system to synchronize these technologies to see if they can be more affordable, commonplace and easier to use. The committee also will be undertaking a rewrite of NAAA’s Strategic Plan.

 

Membership: An honorary membership was approved by the board for longtime WNAAA member and ag aviation insurance broker Dorothy Kimmel from Mississippi, mother of Frank and Mark Kimmel.

 

Museum: Chairman Mark Kimmel of Mississippi stated that phase one of modernizing the National Agricultural Aviation Museum in Jackson, Miss., is very nearly completed and that fundraising for the $150,000 needed for phase two is underway. About $100,000 more is needed. The new technology, which includes video touchscreens to learn the history and past players of the industry, is very slick, according to Kimmel.

 

Nominating: 2018 NAAA President Gary Jerger announced that the 2020 slate of officer nominees that will be voted on for approval at the Ag Aviation Expo NAAA Board meeting are Darrin Pluhar (Montana) for president, Mark Kimmel (Mississippi) for vice president, Mike Rivenbark (North Carolina) for treasurer, and JT Helms (Allied–Insurance) for secretary.

 

Safety and Federal Aviation Regulations: The Committee continues to work on compliance with the NTSB ag aviation report from 2014 by working on a plan to augment knowledge and skills testing in the industry.  It is also looking at sending a reconsideration letter to the NTSB on an NTSB accident report pertaining to questionable interpretation of CAM 8 based on a Weatherly accident.

 

Support: Sue Stewart (Texas), Support Chair, stated that there is leftover merchandise from the 2018 Convention Support Booth that may be purchased atshop.agaviation.org. People may also purchase items at shop.agaviation.org for delivery at this year’s Ag Aviation Expo. The Support Committee has incredible items for its raffle such as an AR-10 and an iPad Pro. Stewart announced that the Athena Program educational lineup that will be presented at 13 state and regional conventions will include topics ranging from FAA approved medications to bookkeeping to succession planning. She also announced that the topic for the 2020 Support Scholarship Contest is “Why is Ag Aviation Important?”

 

NAAREF: NAAREF President Dominique Youakim announced three new PAASS Presenters this year. They are Sam Styron (Missouri), Mike Rivenbark (North Carolina) and Perry Hofer (South Dakota). He also mentioned the importance of state ag aviation association leaders educating their state lead agencies about the importance of approving continuing education units for PAASS attendance toward commercial pesticide license renewals. There have been a few states this year that have altered the CEUs offered for PAASS attendance. NAAREF’s Operation S.A.F.E. Committee announced the development of an app that can be used to analyze water-sensitive cards used in application equipment testing fly-ins in lieu of using a fluorometer. 

 

State Reports: President Hofer called on members to deliver any important news from the states and Erin Morse (Washington) mentioned efforts to enact laws in her state testing for pesticides in water and banning glyphosate as well as banning aerial use of pesticides in forests. Dale Patterson (South Dakota) mentioned that his state was using PAASS to deliver the continuing education units for its new aerial category. Brenda Watts (Arkansas) informed the Board that 2013 NAAA President Dana Ness (Montana), who was incapacitated by a stroke, offered his greetings to the Board and Committee attendees. Gaylon Stamps (Texas) said that this was his final meeting. He will be retiring from his Awards Committee chairmanship. Stamps was given a standing ovation by the Board.

 

The next NAAA Board of Directors meeting will be at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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This newsletter is intended for NAAA members only. NAAA requests that should any party desire to publish, distribute or quote any part of this newsletter that they first seek the permission of the Association. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), its Board of Directors, staff or membership. Items in this newsletter are not the result of paid advertising and are only meant to highlight newsworthy developments. No endorsement by NAAA is intended or implied.
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IN THIS ISSUE
High-Minded Policy Established in Denver at NAAA-NAAREF Fall Board Meeting Last Week
Chlorpyrifos Registrants Reach Agreement with California to Phase Out Use by End of 2020
Robinson Helicopter Converted for Autonomous Agricultural Use
EPA Will Require between 14 and 15 Billion Gallons of Ethanol Production in 2020
Ag Aviation Expo Pre-Registration Deadline Tomorrow, Oct. 18; Save $50 per Registration. Hotel Block Deadline Oct. 24
Relationship Drift Session at Ag Aviation Expo: A Look At How Personal Relationships Effect Pilot Decision Making and Safety
Many Auction Items up for Bid at Live Auction; Letter of Credit Required for PT6A-34AG Engine
It’s that Time Again: Renew Your Membership Today!
2019 Ag Aviation Golf Tournament Oct. 19–20
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 19–20

Ag Aviation Golf Tournament

Heber Springs, AR 

Brenda Watts

(870) 377-5241

 

November 3–5

Pacific Northwest AAA Convention 

Coeur D'Alene Resort 

Tara Lea Brown
509-989-9098

 

November 4–6

Kansas AAA Convention

Hyatt Regency, Wichita, KS 

Rhonda McCurry

316-796-1180

 

November 11–13
California AAA Convention

MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa

Terry Gage

916-645-9747

 

November 17

Putting for PAASS

Orlando, FL

Lindsay Barber

(202) 546-5722

 

November 18–21

Ag Aviation Expo 

Orlando, FL

Lindsay Barber 

(202) 546-5722

 

Full Calendar of Events

 
 
 
 

 

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