Print Version | Newsletter Home | NAAA Home
National Agricultural Aviation Association eNewsletter
Voice of the Aerial Application Industry
July 30, 2020
In Case You Missed It!
NAAA Provides Proof of Distance Needed to Safely Turn an Ag Aircraft to Refute Claims Made by Wind Farms, Towers, Other Obstructions
NAAA has developed useful information to refute proposed setback distances from wind turbines and other tower-like obstructions. The information may be used by operators and state associations when dealing with wind farm and tower companies making claims that their obstructions do not hamper aerial application activities to crops. The basis for the information was a request from a public utilities commission to provide proof that agricultural aircraft need 1 mile or more to turn around safely at the end of a treated field. A wind farm sponsor in South Dakota had proposed a setback of a mere 500 feet, which is far too short a distance for making safe aerial applications with a fixed-wing aircraft in a field adjacent to a wind turbine or tower location site.

NAAA provided the information using two different methods. The first was a calculation using aircraft speed and average turn time to estimate the total distance required to make a turn. An AT-802A with a working speed of 145 mph was used as the example aircraft. The working speed was taken from the midpoint between 130 and 160 mph as denoted on Air Tractor’s specifications page for the AT-802A. An agricultural turn time of 45 seconds was used; this information was gleaned from operators’ experience and used in comments made to the EPA on several pesticide reregistrations. A speed of 145 mph is equal to 213 feet per second; 45 seconds to turn multiplied by 213 feet per second is equal to 9,585 feet or 1.82 miles needed to make the turn.


The second method NAAA used to provide evidence on the distance required to make a turn while conducting an aerial application was via GPS as-applied aerial application maps and Google Earth. Google Earth was used to measure the distance into the field that two turns required. The first was one of the shorter turns from the application from when the aircraft was lighter. This turn pushed 2,273 feet or 0.43 miles into the adjacent field. The second was from a longer turn made when the aircraft was fully loaded. This turn penetrated 9,147 feet or 1.73 miles into the adjacent field.
A Google Earth map showing an application made by an AT-802A. Green represents the flight path with spray on, while red represent the flight path with spray off. The yellow line is the ruler tool used to measure the total length into the field a longer turn required: 9,147 feet (1.73 miles).

You may find the above information helpful if you find yourself countering claims about the dangers wind turbines and other obstacles represent to the safety of agricultural aviators. For more public outreach tools on wind farms from NAAA, click here.

<< Previous Article Next Article >>
Share this article:  LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
Add a CommentAdd a Comment
View CommentsView Comments ()
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.
FOLLOW US
IN THIS ISSUE
EPA Releases Proposed Aircraft GHG Emissions Rule
FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directive for All Air Tractor Models
Get Ready to Cast Your Ballot in the 2020 National Agricultural Aviation Association Proposed Bylaw Amendments Election
Sixth Fatal Accident of 2020 Takes Terry Harchenko
Rest in Peace: Joe Varjassy, Prairie Aerial Applicators
October NAAA Board Meeting & December Ag Aviation Expo Update: We’re Still a Go and Taking Precautions for Everyone’s Well-being!
In Case You Missed It!
NAAA Provides Proof of Distance Needed to Safely Turn an Ag Aircraft to Refute Claims Made by Wind Farms, Towers, Other Obstructions
Richter Aviation First Operator to Support the Centennial Celebration of Aerial Application, Many More Sponsorship Opportunities Available
NAAA Membership Renewals Now Open: Your Support will Result in Continued Accomplishments
Shine a Light on Our Unsung Heroes with NAAA’s Quick and Easy Online Awards Form
Last Chance to Provide Accurate Data for Agricultural Aviation Industry, Please Complete FAA Survey
 

 

 
 
AG AVIATION HOTLINKS
COVID-19 Resources
Ag Aviation Expo Hotel Info
Due 8/31: “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship Application
Due 9/1: NAA Hall of Fame 2021 Nominating Information
Due 9/10: NAAA Award Nominations
Due 9/15: Support Scholarship Media Contest Entries
Agricultural Aviation Mag.
NAAA/NAAREF Safety Videos
Tower Outreach Tools
Tower Marking Warning Letters
Shooting-Response Checklist
NAAA UAV Safety Stuffers
NAAA UAV Encounter Checklist
NAAA Media Relations Kit
Ag Aviation 101 Presentation
NAAA Professional Operating Guidelines Booklet
Aerial Applicator’s Manual
TOOLS
Contact Us
Search Back Issues
HOME | ABOUT | OUR PARTNERS | EVENTS
POLICY INITIATIVES | MEDIA | MEMBERSHIP | CAREERS
National Agricultural Aviation Association, 1440 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 202-546-5722 | Fax: 202-546-5726 | information@agaviation.org

To ensure delivery of NAAA eNewsletter, please add 'information@agaviation.org'
and 'information@agaviation.mmsend.com' to your email address book.

If you are still having problems receiving our emails, see our whitelisting page for more details.
National Agricultural Aviation Association