As we continue to experience the impact of the coronavirus on our lives, many aerial applicators have questions about the status of licensing, what is an essential service and other regulatory issues. NAAA has been successful working with government agencies in designating crop input services, such as aerial application, as an essential service and preventing enforcement actions and/or extending expiration dates for expired licenses.  We have prepared the following information to help sort through what’s happening:

1) FAA Medical Certification: The FAA issued a policy that suspends enforcement against individuals with 1st, 2nd or 3rd class medical certificates expiring between March 31 and June 30, 2020. Make sure to check with your insurance underwriter to ensure you are covered if your licensed expired during this timeframe and a situation occurs resulting in having to file a claim. More information can be found here.

2) Aerial Application Essential Services

a.Crop input services, such as aerial application, have been deemed critical infrastructure industries by the federal government, which means they shall continue without any disruption.

 

b. You should provide a document for everyone at your operation to carry on their person that clarifies you are an employee of a critical infrastructure industry; NAAA has prepared examples in Word and PDF that you can print on your company letterhead. This can be presented to law enforcement in the event an employee is stopped in a shelter in place or similar area.

 

c. Check TFRs. Air support may yet play a role in fighting the coronavirus and TFRs may be needed in the event of large-scale aerial supply operations.

 

d. At this time there are no plans by the FAA to shut down the national airspace.

3) Pesticide applicator licensing

a. NAAA is in communication with the EPA requesting they allow states to relax recertification guidelines until we move past coronavirus-related shutdowns.

 

b. Many states have already provided guidance on how they are dealing with pesticide recertification during the pandemic. The states are listed in no particular order; use your browsers “find” feature to locate your state on the page.

4) Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL)

a. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has suspended truckers’ service hours until April 12, 2020, or until the end of the emergency for drivers providing services related to the coronavirus response. NAAA has joined an industry letter asking this waiver be extended to all commercial drivers in the agricultural supply chain, including driver supporting aerial application operations.

 

b. FMCSA has issued a waiver until June 30, 2020, for States, CDL Holders, CLP Holders and Interstate Drivers Operating Commercial Motor Vehicles that covers multiple items including CDL renewals, CLP holders and medical examination and certification.

5)  Federal aid from Congress’ $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package may help your operation.

a. It includes more than $350 billion to aid small businesses

 

b. It provides an unemployment insurance extension to four months, bolstered by $600 weekly.

7) If you need to contact your state government, NAAA has prepared a list of governors, chiefs of staff and legislative directors with contact information for all 50 states.