July 3, 2013
NAAA eNewsletter

Language Supportive of Aerial Application Research Included in 2014 Ag Appropriations

NAAA is pleased to report that we continue to be successful in ensuring the importance of aerial application research to USDA and Congress. Within the last few weeks the House and Senate Appropriations Committees approved the FY2014 Agriculture Appropriations Bills and included language endorsing the continued support of the USDA-ARS Aerial Application Technology Program. The House Appropriations Bill totals $19.5 billion in discretionary funding and represents a $1.3 billion cut from the 2013 enacted level of funding, while the Senate version totals $20.93 billion and is $420 million above the 2013 enacted level. The 2014 projected Agricultural Research Service appropriations funding represents an overall increase of $664,000 and $21,297,000 in the House and Senate respectively, compared to ARS's funding this year. Since 2002 NAAA has been successful in lobbying the government for an additional $6,512,500 to be invested in aerial application research.
 
The mention of aerial application within House and Senate legislation is once again no small feat, as it is one of only a handful of programs specifically mentioned. Identical language in both bills reads as follows:
Aerial Application Research.—The Committee recognizes the importance of the ARS Aerial Application Technology Program. The program conducts innovative research making aerial applications more efficient, effective, and precise. Research for aerial application serves the public good as a vital tool for the future, as agriculture strives to meet the food, fiber, and bio-energy demands of a growing population.   

Both appropriations bills will now respectively move to the House and Senate floors and a timeline for debate on each has not yet been given. NAAA will continue to monitor the appropriations language to ensure adequate USDA- ARS funding for the continued design of aerial application technologies, tools and techniques that mitigate drift, result in fuel savings, as well as make aerial applications more efficacious.

Disney Goes All-In with Multimedia Marketing Push for PLANES' Aug. 9 Release

With a little over a month to go until the much-anticipated release of Disney's Planes, the studio's marketing push is in full swing. The official Planes website has been revamped and includes several new sections, including FlewTube, a library of Planes trailers and other aviation-themed footage; an online games section featuring two games, Jet Stream Racers and Propwash Pursuit, that revolve around America’s favorite new ag plane, Dusty Crophopper; and the official online shop for Planes apparel, toys and merchandise, including Dusty T-shirts and sneakers and customized Planes iPad cases, mouse pads and mugs. Promotional artwork of various Planes characters is also available for download, including wallpaper art for your computer, tablet or mobile device and Facebook-compatible timeline art. 

 

The virtual games could help recruit a new generation of junior ag pilots. Jet Stream Racers puts players in control of Dusty Crophopper as they attempt to earn points and avoid running out of fuel. In Propwash Pursuit, players help Dusty train and qualify for the Wings Around the Globe rally. Furthermore, a Planes video game for the Nintendo Wii and other Nintendo devices releases Aug. 6. Finally, the Wings Around the Web Sweepstakes allows participants to accumulate points that could result in prizes. 

 

Disney has also entered into a clever marketing partnership with American Airlines that cross-promotes the movie and the airline. Last week Disney and American introduced Tripp, a character from the film inspired in part by American’s new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Klay Hall, who directed Planes, also directed a custom animated commercial for American that features Dusty, Tripp and El Chupacabra, another character from the film. You can watch the ad spot, titled “Something’s Different About American,” by clicking the play arrow below. Additional images of Tripp and a short movie trailer with a cameo by Tripp are available at aa.com/disneyplanes. Leading up to the film’s release, the companies will be rolling out integrated marketing initiatives, including collaborated advertising, promotions and inflight entertainment. American will also feature an inflight version of the movie in October, one month earlier than other airlines.

 

 

The cover story of Agricultural Aviation’s July/August issue features a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Planes. Members’ print copies are en route, but electronic versions of the cover story and full issue are available now in the magazine section of the website. The issue’s cover artwork was created by Walt Disney Studios exclusively for NAAA and Agricultural Aviation.

 

Planes will be presented in 3D in select theaters beginning Aug. 9. 

New PT6 Video Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation

As part of its yearlong celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the PT6 turboprop engine, Pratt & Whitney Canada has produced a sleek new video highlighting the history and prowess of the PT6 engine in action. The video features a wide range of PT6-powered aircraft at work, including Thrush and Air Tractor ag planes, a Wipaire Inc. aerial firefighting plane and an NYPD Bell helicopter. Near the end of the video’s globe-spanning display, a narrator intones, “In every corner of this planet, PT6-powered aircraft are working hard, changing lives, performing vital missions.” The four-minute video closes with the tagline “THE POWER. THE PASSION. THE LEGEND.” and directs viewers to PT6Nation.com for more information. Click the play arrow below to watch the full PT6 anniversary video.

 

 

FAA 2012 GA Survey Reminder

The FAA's contractor, Tetra Tech, has notified NAAA they are sending out reminders encouraging anyone selected to complete the General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (referred to as the GA Survey) to do so. If you have already completed the survey, they express their appreciation. The reminder to those selected is to be mailed on July 9th and should arrive soon. The previous mailing was a postcard giving the address for on-line survey completion. Beginning with the July mailing, a paper form will be included although you may still use the on-line survey.
 
The information gathered by this survey is important to general aviation and the agricultural community because it is the only source of information on the size and activity of our aircraft. Data gathered helps to prepare safety statistics and develop an industry accident rate which is extremely important due to the fluctuation in ag aviation activity from year to year.
 
We have been notified of the protocol used in the selection of aircraft to be surveyed. Owners of all turbine-powered airplanes are slated to receive a survey request. Recip airplanes will be selected on a random basis. All helicopters, regardless of the power-plant used, are to be surveyed.
 

Tetra Tech reminds you to complete the survey even if you did not fly the aircraft or sold it during 2012. They also want you to assure you your responses are completely confidential and individual information is not shared with the FAA. The survey can be completed on the paper form and returned in the postage-paid envelope or completed on-line as instructed by the mailing. Operators with three or more aircraft to be sampled should receive a short form to make multiple reporting easier. In the event you do receive three or more surveys, abbreviated forms can be obtained or questions answered by contacting Tetra Tech toll-free at 800-826-1797 or emailing infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com.

Register for the 47th Annual Convention & Exposition Starting Monday, July 8; Schedule Error in Magazine

Registration Opens in 5 Days!

Mark your calendar for Dec. 9–12 and join us in Reno, Nev., for the 47th Annual NAAA Convention & Exposition. This year's convention is packed with a schedule full of networking and social events, educational sessions, and the world’s largest agricultural aviation trade show with a variety of aircraft. Attendee registration will open online on Monday, July 8.

Convention Schedule Correction in July/August Agricultural Aviation Magazine

Please note a mistake on the NAAA Convention Schedule in the July/August issue of the Agricultural Aviation. The CD Aviation Seminar and Pratt & Whitney Session will take place on Sunday, Dec. 8, not Thursday, Dec. 12. The actual seminar times are as follows:

 

Sunday, December 8
8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.   CD Aviation Seminar
9 a.m.–4 p.m.         Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 Seminar

A full schedule can be viewed here.  

Featured Events at the NAAA Convention & Exposition

  • Hear from First Officer Jeff Skiles, co-pilot of the Miracle on the Hudson, U.S. Airways Flight 1549, at the Kickoff Breakfast
  • The General Session will be a comprehensive focus on what to say and how to share ag aviation’s positive story with the public.
  • Attend more than 20 hours of educational programming. In some cases, such as the ASABE Technical Sessions, you may be able to earn CEU’s.
  • There is a full WNAAA Convention full of networking and educational sessions too!
  • Don’t miss the wonderful NAAA Trade Show full of 100+ Exhibitors. Conduct all of your business in one place over a two day period. 

Booth Space on Sale for NAAA Trade Show

Thank you to the many companies who have already purchased booth space for the NAAA Trade Show. If you haven’t purchased your booth space yet, click here to secure your space today. Exhibiting at the NAAA Trade Show allows you to get your company name, products and services in front of the expected 1,200 attendees. Contact Lindsay Barber at (202) 546-5722 with questions. 

Nominate a Fellow NAAA Member for an Award

Each year, NAAA recognizes a handful of members for outstanding contributions to the aerial application industry. This year’s award recipients will be honored at the Farewell/Awards Banquet Dec.12 at the Silver Legacy. This industry is filled with exceptional people who go above and beyond the call of duty, often with little fanfare. We need your help to identify these unsung heroes. Review the NAAA and NAAREF Award categories and fill out an Award Nomination Form today! The form is also in the 2013 NAAA Membership Directory. To make a nomination, fax or email completed entries to NAAA at 202-546-5726 or information@agaviation.org. The deadline is Sept. 13. 

Book Your Convention Room Today

We have received notification that an independent third party company is calling NAAA Trade Show exhibitors to book hotel space. NAAA recommends making your own hotel reservations. The headquarter’s hotel for the NAAA Convention & Exposition this Dec. 9–12 is the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. As a reminder, you will receive complimentary transportation between the Silver Legacy and Convention Center during the show.

Hotel Details

Silver Legacy
407 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89501
Rate: $75/night + tax for Standard Room (single or double)


Click here to make your reservations online or call 1-800-687-8733 and give Reservation Code NAAA13. The hotel reservation cutoff for the NAAA block rate is Nov. 6, 2013.