| December 7, 2023 |
| 2023 Ag Aviation Expo Halftime Report |
 The 57th annual Ag Aviation Expo kicked off this week in Palm Springs with visitors from around the globe eager to network with more than 1,200 friends and peers, educate themselves at the 26 education sessions and improve their businesses by visiting with more than 140 exhibitors on the trade show floor. Attendees and exhibitors alike are enjoying the beautiful location, weather and welcoming community. Read More |
|
| NAAA Responds to Two EPA Pesticide Registration Decisions to Protect Aerial Applications |
| This week NAAA submitted comments to EPA regarding the proposed interim decisions (PID) for chlorothalonil and triadimefon. PIDs are the last stage in the pesticide registration review process before the endangered species evaluations. The word “interim” is used to designate that a PID could change after the endangered species evaluations. Read More |
| NAAA Submits Comments on Guardian Agriculture Part 137 UAS Operations |
 This week, NAAA submitted comments on a petition from Kiwi Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Guardian Agriculture to amend their existing exemption to conduct Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) uncrewed aerial application operations incorporating new and broadened operating parameters for its SC1 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS). Read More |
| NAAA Comments on AiRanger UAS BVLOS Petition |
| This week NAAA submitted comments to the FAA on the petition from American Aerospace Technologies Incorporated (AATI) to conduct beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) critical infrastructure inspection of pipeline and oil field surveillance in the San Joaquin Valley of California with their fixed-wing, 18 ft wingspan, 220 lb. maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) AiRanger™ uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) (formerly the PAE ISR Resolute Eagle). Read More |
| FAA Safety Briefing Highlights Wind Turbines |
 The November/December 2023 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine contained an article titled The Winds of Change: Wind Turbines and Their Effects on the National Airspace System. While Wind Turbines/Farms are commonplace in many parts of the country, the article highlighted the increasing height of newly built turbines. |
| Proposed AD for GE/Walter M601 Engines |
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directives (ADs) 2022–13–16 and 2022-14-12, which apply to all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) (type certificate previously held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) Model M601 engines. Read More |
| Last Chance to 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 |
| 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 |
| In Case You Missed It! |
| NAAA’s Concerns with Large Pesticide Use Limitation Areas Addressed in EPA’s Update to Vulnerable Species Pilot Project |
 Last week the EPA released an update to their Endangered Species Act Vulnerable Species Pilot Project (VSPP). The initial proposal for the VSPP was the agency’s response to longstanding lawsuits from environmental activists. It was released in June of 2023 and was focused on protecting 27 endangered species and their critical habitat that are most at risk from pesticides. Read More |
| NAAA Continues Representation on Critical EPA Pesticide Committee with Idaho Operator George Parker |
 Idaho Operator George Parker has been invited by the EPA to serve on the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC). PPDC is an important federal advisory committee and a forum consisting of diverse pesticide-related stakeholders to provide feedback to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs on various pesticide regulatory, policy and program implementation issues. Read More |
| Lowell Hicks, Longtime Ag Pilot, NAAA & Texas AAA Member Passes |
 Lowell Ross Hicks, longtime ag pilot, longtime member of the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) and Texas Agricultural Aviation Association (TAAA) passed away last week at age 84. With over forty years in the agricultural aviation industry, Lowell was a licensed pilot, a licensed instructor, and owner-operator. Read More |
| NAAA Discusses Industry Regulations, Safety and the Ag Aviation Expo on the Aviation Insurance Podcast |
 NAAA CEO Andrew Moore was a guest on the Aviation Insurance Podcast hosted by Tim Bonnell Jr., the founder and President of Aeris Insurance Solutions, an Allied member of NAAA. The podcast episode discussed many aspects of the aerial application industry. Read More |
| Valley Air Crafts Purchases Johnston Aircraft Service |
 Longtime Air Tractor dealer and NAAA member Valley Air Crafts has acquired Johnston Aircraft Service, both located at Mefford Field Airport (TLR) in Tulare, California. Since 1984 Valley Air Crafts has been a well-known resource for California's Central Valley aerial applicators. |
| Your GPS Data May Save a Life |
| As the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) marches in lockstep with some corporate interests in the uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) space, it is becoming clear that green lighting and expanding UAS beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) operations may be being prioritized over safety. Donate your GPS data logs. Read More |
