February 7, 2013
NAAA eNewsletter

SEAF Recognizes Bill Lavender and AgAir Update

Bill Lavender accepts SEAF’s appreciation award on behalf of AgAir Update along with Graham and Sandy Lavender.

AgAir Update and Editor & Publisher Bill Lavender were honored at the Southeast Aerocultural Fair’s (SEAF) annual convention Feb. 5 when SEAF presented an award of appreciation for the publication’s contributions to the industry. Georgia Agricultural Aviation Association (GAAA) Executive Director Frankie Williams presented the award on behalf of SEAF, an NAAA regional affiliate with members in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. Lavender's plaque contained the following inscription:

 

Presented to AG AIR UPDATE
In recognition of your
31 years of dedicated service,
support, and strength of commitment
to the aviation industry

Lavender and AgAir Update have close ties with GAAA. In addition to being based in Perry, Ga., ag aviation’s only newspaper originated as GAAA’s quarterly newsletter. As a state association director Lavender helped produce the newsletter and sold advertising for it. He obtained the rights to it in 1988 and converted AgAir Update into an international newspaper dedicated to covering the agricultural aviation industry each month. To this day, all GAAA members receive a free subscription to AgAir Update, which has seen its readership grow to 3,000-plus subscribers around the world. AgAir Update Latinoamerica, a sister paper published in Portuguese and Spanish, reaches an additional 1,500 subscribers in Latin America. 
 
AgAir Update’s voice is informed by Lavender’s 27 years of experience as an ag pilot. That familiarity gives him a unique vantage point that shows in his writing. When Agricultural Aviation profiled Lavender in 2008, he said, “Aerial spraying or working in some part of the industry is all I’ve ever done in my professional career. The industry has been good to me.” 
 
In turn, he has been good to the industry. Lavender is a fixture at ag aviation conventions across the country and supports NAAA in several ways. His special NAAA Convention Show Guide has been a fixture each November and is an important promotional vehicle for NAAA’s Annual Convention & Exposition. More recently, he has graciously donated a monthly spot in AgAir Update to NAAA, which can be used to promote any topic or aspect of the organization that NAAA deems fit.
 

“Bill is always helpful, always willing to do anything for the industry,” Williams said. AgAir Update is a family affair, and Lavender’s wife Sandy and son Graham were on hand to share in the moment. NAAA wishes to congratulate Lavender and the entire AgAir Update team for this well-deserved honor. You can too in the comments section below. 

Web-Distributed Labeling on the Horizon

In an effort to improve pesticide product labeling, the EPA has been exploring the feasibility of allowing registrants to make “legally enforceable pesticide product labeling” available to users via the Internet. What began with EPA in 2007 with a “Web-Distributed Labeling Workgroup” and a “User Acceptance Pilot” program in 2010 has now progressed to the Agency recently releasing new guidance regarding a voluntary approach to web-distributed labeling (WDL). It would essentially allow registrants to refer users to a website for the appropriate product information while also having the label attached to the product container. 
 
NAAA has been actively involved with the EPA and other stakeholders in discussing this issue, as it could markedly change the way users and dealers are able to access labels and comply with the appropriate crop protection product application regulations. The Association has expressed concern with this proposed system as there are numerous questions still unanswered, along with the burden such a system could potentially place on applicators. Among NAAA’s concerns are rural website accessibility and security as well as confusion that may arise should electronic labels differ from labels accompanying the physical product.  
 
A web-distributed label, as proposed by EPA, would work something like this: a downloadable label would provide “a streamlined version” of the actual product labeling and include directions for use as well as necessary information related to the user’s specific state and intended use while the product container would still be accompanied by a physical copy of the EPA-accepted label. Registrants wishing to use WDL would be responsible for submitting an amended registration application to EPA and then for ultimately creating, publishing and maintaining the website containing the WDL. To ensure WDL is enforceable under FIFRA, registrants would need to add a statement to their product container label that would specify the electronic version of the label was also legally valid and in cases of conflict users would be able to choose which version—electronic or hard copy—to follow. 
 
The current draft PR Notice provides guidance on how EPA intends to implement WDL as a result of the previous work completed on this issue. The Agency is explicit to point out that it is not binding in nature, as clearly there are still many issues to resolve before a web-based system can be successfully and efficiently implemented. Please click here to link to the Federal Register with details about the draft PR Notice or go to Regulations.gov and enter docket number: EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0906. The Agency is soliciting public comments that must be received on or before April 16, 2013. 
 

NAAA will remain involved with the PPDC in discussing and crafting this system and will be commenting on the current draft PR Notice prior to the April deadline reiterating its concerns documented above. Please monitor the NAAA eNewsletter and NAAA website for more updates on the WDL issue and additional information regarding submitting your comments.  

Renew Your NAAA Membership by Feb. 15

If you haven’t yet renewed your NAAA membership for 2013, time is of the essence. The NAAA membership year runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 each year and the 45-day grace period for renewal expires Feb. 15. 
 
Your support of NAAA results in many significant benefits to the aerial application industry like advocacy and national representation, education and safety programs and networking with fellow aerial applicators across the country. In addition, anyone who renews for the 2013 membership year will also receive a hard copy of the newly revised Media Relations Kit. The NAAA Media Relations Kit is a handy tool for communicating to the public, students, media and/or local, state or national officials about the industry’s value to food, fiber, forestry and biofuel production. 
 
To be included in the NAAA Membership Directory you must have your membership dues in by March 1.  Don’t miss an opportunity to be included in this invaluable NAAA publication which is seen and used by operators needing additional aircraft and/or pilots; pilots searching for a seat; and operators looking for parts, equipment and services for their operations.
 
Renewal is simple and accessible online 24 hours a day simply by logging in to www.agaviation.org and visiting the Membership or Members Only sections. You may then click on the online application in the Membership Section or the membership renewal link in the Members Only section. 
 

NAAA appreciates your continued support. If you have questions about your membership, please contact the NAAA office at (202) 546-5722 or via email at information@agaviation.org. If you have not yet renewed, please don’t wait—renew today!

Legislation Introduced in Nebraska Changing Fines Levied for Application Violations

One Nebraska pilot-turned lawmaker is intent on changing the way fines are levied for pesticide drift. Nebraska State Senator Bob Krist (Omaha) recently introduced legislation in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature that would allow only the company to be fined for aerial pesticide spraying violations, rather than both the company and pilot, as is allowed currently under Nebraska state law. 
 
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture Manager of Pesticide Programs, Tim Creger, stated he was not sure why the issue had “drawn Krist’s concern.” Creger stated the Department of Ag levies few fines annually and the maximum state penalty for one violation is $5,000. He added the Agency’s goal was compliance rather than punishment, but that he had received numerous complaints indicating negligent pesticide companies should be fined more. 
 
Brian Wilcox, Nebraska Aviation Trades Association (NATA) President, testified against the bill at a hearing last week at the Nebraska state capitol. Wilcox stated safety was a priority and both pilots and companies should be fined in order to highlight it. 
 

The legislation also would change how violations would be investigated, giving the Department of Aeronautics jurisdiction vs. the Department of Agriculture. Sen. Krist stated shifting authority to the FAA would allow aerial pesticide violations to affect a pilot’s license, as FAA violations follow a pilot across the U.S., while Department of Ag violations do not. The FAA already has authority to regulate materials dispensed from an agricultural aircraft per CFR 14 Federal Aviation Regulations Part 137.37 and 137.39.

NAAA, WNAAA, NAAREF Board Meetings Feb. 14-16

Old Town Alexandria, Va., will once again host the spring board meetings of the NAAA, WNAAA and NAAREF Boards of Directors next weekend. Located just blocks from NAAA’s new offices, the meetings will take place at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town Hotel from Feb. 14–16. All meetings are open to NAAA members, and if you haven’t yet made your plans to attend it’s not too late to visit the Hilton website for reservations.
 

A tentative meeting schedule is posted on the NAAA website, and be sure to check upcoming eNewsletters for important updates on NAAA business following completion of the spring board meetings.

For the Record: Forstrom NAAA’s First Female Officer

An article on 2013 NAAA Treasurer Brenda Watts in the current issue of Agricultural Aviation mistakenly states that she “holds the distinction of being the first woman officer to serve on the NAAA Board.” As former NAAA President Rick Reed pointed out, Sandy Forstrom holds that distinction. Forstrom was an operator member from Colfax, Wash., who served as NAAA Secretary in 1992, the same year Reed was president. That makes Watts the second woman to serve as an NAAA officer and the first female officer in 20 years. NAAA regrets the error. 

AD Issued for Bell 205s

On Jan. 9 the FAA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) No. 2012-26-11 applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) Model 205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters with starter/generator power cable assemblies, part number (P/N) 205-075-902-017 and P/N 205-075-911-007 installed. The AD was prompted by the determination the cable assembly connector can deteriorate, causing a short in the connector which may lead to a fire in the starter/generator, smoke in the cockpit reducing visibility, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
 
FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Jun. 13, 2012 stating the intention to include an AD on this problem. No comments were received from the public on the NPRM.
 
Compliance information can be found for the Model 205A and 205A-1 in the BHTI Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 205-07-94, Revision A, dated Dec. 8, 2008; and BHTI ASB No. 205B-08-50, dated Dec. 8, 2008, for the Model 205B helicopter. The AD requires replacement of the power cable assemblies using the parts contained in starter/generator kit P/N CT205-07-94-1 within six months.
 

The AD is effective Feb. 13, 2013. NAAA recommends you read the AD carefully to determine the action or actions required to comply with this AD. Click here to read or download the document.

AD Issued on Bell Main Rotor Yokes

On Jan. 23 the FAA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) No. 2012-17-08 applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B and 212 helicopters with a main rotor yoke, part number (P/N) AAI-4011-102 (all dash numbers), ASI-4011-102 (all dash numbers), or 204-011-102 (all dash numbers), installed. The AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the yoke. This condition could result in failure of the yoke and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
 
This AD supersedes four ADs related to the main rotor yoke on the effected helicopters and retains certain inspections and certain life limits, requires an increased inspection frequency for certain yokes and expands these inspections and retirement to other yokes. FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Nov. 2, 2011 proposing to supersede AD 79-20-05 with amendments dated Jan. 31, 1980, Dec. 6, 1979 and Sep. 27, 1979; AD 81-19-01 dated Sep. 14, 1981; AD 81-19-02 dated Sep. 14, 1981; and AD 93-05-01 dated Mar. 15, 1993. No comments were received from the public on the NPRM.
 
Compliance with the AD depends on the part number of the yoke installed, time in service (TIS), and the type of aircraft use. Refer to the explanation and Table 1 in the AD to calculate factored hours TIS in order to determine required action.
 

The AD is effective Feb. 27, 2013. NAAA recommends you read the AD carefully to determine the action or actions required to comply with this AD. Click here to read or download the document.

AD Issued for Bell 206 Servo Actuator Assemblies

On Jan. 23 the FAA adopted Airworthiness Directive (AD) No. 2013-02-01 applicable to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) helicopters. The AD applies to Bell Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3 helicopters, all serial numbers (S/N), and 206L-4 helicopters, S/Ns 52001 through 52430 with a hydraulic servo actuator assembly P/N 206-076-062-103 installed. The AD defines the unsafe condition as loose or misaligned parts of the servo. This condition could result in failure of the servo and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
 
Due to the urgent nature of the AD affecting flight safety, a request for comments was not possible prior to it becoming effective. The FAA is now giving interested parties until March 25, 2013 to submit economic, environmental, energy or federalism impacts from adopting this AD. The address for the submission of comments is given in the attached document.
 
Compliance information can be found in the Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-11-169, Revision B, dated Aug. 29, 2011 which requires a one-time inspection for loose or misaligned parts of the servos. The inspection should be accomplished before the next flight, unless previously accomplished.
 

The AD is effective Feb. 7, 2013. NAAA recommends you read the AD carefully to determine the action or actions required to comply with this AD. Click here to read or download the document.

Paper Mechanics Certificates Expire Soon

The FAA reminds airframe and powerplant mechanics to exchange their paper certificates for plastic ones before March 31, 2013. Paper certificates will expire on that date and holders will not be able to exercise their privileges thereafter. This expiration date also applies to all certificates issued under 14 CFR Parts 63 and 65. All paper pilot certificates expired on March 31, 2010 and should have been replaced prior to that date.
 
FAA also reminds certificate holders there is a $2 charge to replace a certificate unless the certificate number has not been changed from the holder’s social security number (SSN). There is no charge to reissue certificates to remove the SSN.
 
To change your certificate number from your SSN and request a replacement click here. 
 

To replace your Airmen Certificate click here.