| May 16, 2024 |
| FAA Reauthorization Bill Enacted by Congress and Headed for President Biden’s Signature—NAAA Language Ensuring Safety of Manned Aircraft From Drone Activity in BVLOS Airspace and Urging FAA to Promulgate Tower Marking and Logging Included |
 Yesterday, after Senate enactment last week, the House of Representative enacted the FAA reauthorization bill, H.R. 3935. The bill is now headed to President Biden’s desk for signature, which is expected to be completed no later than tomorrow. NAAA is pleased to announce, after much advocacy over the past two years to influence the bill to protect manned ag aircraft in low-altitude airspace, it has secured that FAA ensure the safety of low-altitude manned aircraft from drones, or uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). Read More |
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| Fire Boss Air Tractor 802F Equipped with Wipaire’s Amphibious Floats Flies Over Washington, DC National Mall in AOPA Flyover Event |
 This past Saturday, May 11, a Fire Boss—an Air Tractor 802F equipped with Wipaire’s amphibious floats—was one of 55 aircraft to participate in the National Celebration of General Aviation DC Flyover, organized by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to celebrate their 85th anniversary. The single engine scoops water from nearby water sources for aerial firefighting. Air Tractor is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Fire Boss was in the Public Service Flying category in the flyover. Read More |
| Ag Aviation Expo Sponsorships Available: Boost Your Company’s Brand! |
 Join us for the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, TX, Nov. 18-21. Sponsorship sales are open for this year’s convention. Branding at the Ag Aviation Expo is a great opportunity to get your message in front of the agricultural aviation industry and reach a targeted and nationwide audience of aerial applicators in North America—an audience responsible for applying 28% of crop protection products to commercial cropland in the U.S. Read More |
| ADs Proposed for Bell 204/205/210 and 212/412 Tail Boom Attachment Components |
The FAA has proposed two new airworthiness directives (ADs) for the tail boom attachment components of certain Bell Textron Inc. helicopter models: Bell 204/205/210 and Bell 212/412. Read More |
| NAAREF to Host Fourth Annual In-Season Safety Session |
 NAAREF will host an in-season safety session on June 3 at 8 p.m. CDT with a small panel of PAASS presenters. The topics will include current trends in ag accidents, good mentoring practices, and other topics of interest to participants. The safety session will be presented via a Zoom webinar. Read More |
| In Case You Missed It! |
| NAAA Advocates for Aerial Application Industry Before Public, Media, Key Regulators and Legislators at Ag on the Mall |
 NAAA successfully met with policymakers and regulators at Ag on the Mall this week on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) organized the event, “The Future of Food & Farming,” which celebrated America’s equipment manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, and farm service providers like aerial applicators and how we all work together to produce more with less environmental impact. Read More |
| Agricultural Airman Guidelines Now Available! – A Wealth of Information for Part 137 Knowledge & Skills |
 NAAA and NAAREF are proud to announce the general availability of the Agricultural Airman Guidelines (AAG). For over six years, veteran ag pilots throughout the US have come together to create, deliberate upon and refine the AAG. Review and vetting have been provided by attorneys and stakeholders from state pesticide lead agencies, ag aircraft manufacturers and FAA. Read More |
| NAAA CEO Andrew Moore was Interviewed on Agriculture of America Podcast |
 NAAA’s press release in late April cautioning hobbyist and professional drone operators not to interfere with low-altitude manned agricultural aircraft resulted in additional coverage this week via agriculture and aviation media outlets. NAAA CEO Andrew Moore was interviewed by Jesse Allen on the Agriculture of America Podcast. Read More |
| NAAA Endorses and Encourages Ag Aircraft GPS Data Collection Effort Protecting Manned Ag Aircraft from Drones |
| 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 |
