| November 9, 2023 |
| Chlorpyrifos Makes a Comeback – NAAA Stands Ready to Keep Aerial Application on the Label |
| A recent decision by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned EPA’s 2021 ban of chlorpyrifos applications on all food crops. While the exact date chlorpyrifos might be reinstated is unknown, the decision is being hailed as major victory for agriculture. It offers growers who relied on chlorpyrifos for years a chance to reclaim a critical insecticide. It also sets a precedent for what EPA can and cannot do when it comes to following sound science when making decisions about pesticide registration and re-registrations. Read More |
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| EPA Approves Final Revised Restricted Use Pesticide Applicator Certification Plans |
 On November 2nd, the EPA announced the final approval of 67 updated plans for certifying applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). All 50 states, 5 territories, 6 federal agencies, 6 tribes, and the District of Columbia (certifying authorities) worked with EPA to complete the plan approval process. The approved plans comply with the 2017 Certification of Pesticide Applicators (CPA) final rule, which established stronger standards for people who apply restricted-use pesticides (RUPs), including aerial applicators. Read More |
| Proposed Multi-UAS Night Spraying Operations without Visual Observers; NAAA Responds |
 On November 2, NAAA submitted comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding a recently published petition by Hylio, Inc. (Hylio) for exemption from 14 CFR Parts 61, 91 and 137 to conduct spraying operations with its AG-230 Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS). The AG-230 is an 8-gallon capacity octocopter marketed by Hylio to produce up to a 35 ft swath width and treat up to 50 acres per hour at 1 GPA. Read More |
| NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Room Block Closes Today; Register for Wire Avoidance Course and NAAREF Fundraiser |
 NAAA is excited to host our annual convention in Palm Springs, CA Dec. 4-7. The NAAA room block closes today with rooms still available at the Hilton and Hyatt. Register for the Flying in the Wire Obstruction Environment Course, Pitch Perfect for PAASS NAAREF fundraiser and Support Committee events. Join us in the Golden State. Read More |
| Many Auction Items Up for Bid at NAAA Live Auction; Letter of Credit Required for PT6A-34AG Engine |
 Thank you to the many companies that support ag pilots and their operations, as well as the industry, through donating items for the Live and Silent Auctions at the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo. The money raised from these items supports NAAA programs. Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for its generous donation of a brand-new PT6A-34AG turboprop engine. The engine is valued at $658,000. Read More |
| NAAA Support Committee Events at the Ag Aviation Expo |
| The NAAA Support Committee has organized several fun events at the Ag Aviation Expo for spouses/significant others, family members and office crew. Join the fun at the a food and wine tasting event, Athena Project presentation and Relationship Drift. Read More |
| Support NAAA by Renewing Your Membership for 2024 |
 Thank you for your support of NAAA as a 2023 member. We request your continued support by renewing your NAAA membership for 2024. While you have been busy aiding farmers to produce a safe, affordable, and abundant supply of food, fiber, and bioenergy, NAAA has been busy making sure low altitude airspace is safe for your aerial application business to operate, as well as ensuring that you have the pesticide products you need to do your job.
Read More |
| Apply for C-PAASS 2023 by December 11 |
 Join the growing number of ag pilots who are committed to enhancing safety, environmental stewardship, and application efficacy in the agricultural aviation industry. The deadline to become 2023 C-PAASS certified is Dec. 11; count yourself among those committed to being the best of the best in the industry.
Read More |
| In Case You Missed It! |
| FBI-DHS Announce Hamas-Israel War Has Increased Threat of Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Soil; Make Sure Your Operation in Secure |
 In a Fly Safe Message emailed on Monday morning, NAAA alerted the industry that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a public service announcement to highlight potential terrorist threats in the United States in response to the war in the Middle East. Read More |
| Casey Novak Fatally Injured in Eleventh Fatal Accident of 2023 |
 On October 24, 2023, Casey Novak was fatally injured in the 11th fatal accident of 2023 season. Casey was born on July 5, 1973, in Natchez, MS and was 50 years old when he passed away. The members and staff of NAAA offer their deepest condolences to his family and friends. Read More |
| Proposed AD for GE M601 Engines |
| The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-13-07 (dated June 14, 2021) which applies to several GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601 turboprop engines. The original AD was based on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0125-E, and required recalculating the life of critical parts and replacing a certain compressor case. Read More |
| Beware of Media Companies That May Not Portray Your Operation of the Ag Aviation Industry in Positive Light |
 In 2011, a cover story in Agricultural Aviation magazine highlighted the harmful impacts reality television can have on the ag aviation industry. The article written by Jason Colquhoun, a veteran photographer/filmmaker turned ag pilot, explained how easy it is for production companies to manipulate footage to portray anything in a bad light. Although this article was written twelve years ago, it still rings true today. Read More |
| Important Call for GPS Data to Protect Manned Ag Aircraft from Drones |
In 2022, an FAA advisory committee weighted with drone
interests from Amazon, Google and other unmanned corporate interests
suggested that the agency promulgate rules that drones operating beyond
visual line of sight be permitted to:
- Increase their weight to 1,320 pounds
- Not equip with ADS-B identification technology
- Not give the right of way to manned aircraft when operating in
rural, low-altitude airspace because they claimed there are no other
users of this airspace.
As an ag aviator, you know these requests to be patently unsafe and
based on false premises. As such, we call on you to help us collect
information on ag aircraft’s use of the low-altitude airspace. Read More |
