Adam Meyerkorth of Meyerkorth Aviation in Rockport, Missouri, put on an excellent aerial demonstration for the audience of thousands. The air bosses narration told the story of ag aviation’s history, centennial and importance to food, fiber and biofuel production.

The Wing Nuts Flying Circus held in Tarkio, Missouri, is billed as the biggest little airshow in the world. It certainly lives up to its name with a billing of key public aviation officials and congresspersons in attendance, not to mention incredible aviation feats. This year was no different, and NAAA staff and NAAA member Adam Meyerkorth of Meyerkorth Aviation actively participated in the air show held on July 9.

Wing Nuts Flying Circus was started by U.S. Congressman Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the current ranking member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. NAAA has participated in the Town Hall meeting preceding the air show for many years and did so again this year. Congressmen Graves, Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, and Garrett Graves (R-La.), the House Aviation Subcommittee’s ranking member, addressed the public audience, as did Former FAA Administrator Dan Ewell and NAAA CEO Andrew Moore, as well as other national general aviation association leaders from AOPA, HAI, NATA, GAMA, NBAA, NACTA and EAA.

NAAA CEO Andrew Moore joined in the Town Hall meeting before the Wingnuts Air Show in Tarkio, Missouri, joining other national general aviation association leaders, former FAA Administrator Dan Ewell and Congressmen Garret Graves (R-La.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Sam Graves (R-Mo.).

Moore discussed some of the key safety issues facing the aerial application industry today, including efforts to prompt the FAA to promulgate a rule to mark and log the geographical coordinates of certain rural towers between 50 and 200 feet tall. He also discussed concerns with drones entering the airspace without certain safety requirements, concerns with delays at the FAA approving Part 137 operations, and ensuring a viable substitute exists for avgas.

NAAA worked with air show coordinators to have a segment of the show highlight aerial application and its current 100th anniversary. Adam Meyerkorth put on an aerial application ballet of water applications and a water drop in his Air Tractor AT-802 as the air boss narrated about the ag aviation industry’s technological innovations and importance to food, fiber and biofuel production. In addition to the congressional, regulatory and national aviation industry officials in attendance, Meyerkorth’s performance was witnessed by thousands of public attendees. Watch footage of Meyerkorth’s demonstration in the video below.

Adam Meyerkorth of Meyerkorth Aviation and NAAA CEO Andrew Moore visit after the ag aviation portion of the air show.

Meyerkorth’s Air Tractor demonstration was in good company, joining a parachute drop by the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team, Congressman Sam Graves’ P-40 Warhawk performance, the AeroShell Aerobatics Team T-6 foursome, and flybys by both a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, among a number of other outstanding air show acts.