NAAA Goes Downstown for N.J. Calibration Clinic
The Downstown Aero Crop Service team: (from left to right) pilots Dennis Mazzoni and Ed Carter; operators Curt Nixholm and Vern Becker; and NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore. |
Language Supportive of Aerial Application Research Included in 2015 Senate Ag Appropriations Markup
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.
Save the Date for NAAA’s June 17 Cover Crops Webinar
In this webinar, you will learn:
- Why farmers are using cover crops, why farmers are using planes to seed cover crops, farmers’ biggest barriers to seeding cover crops with planes, and how cover crops benefit not only the farm but water quality and soil health.
- From an aerial applicator already aerially seeding cover crops about why the operation he manages added cover crops; changes they have made to make cover crops easier and faster to seed; calibrating for different seed sizes to ensure good coverage; how to deal with different seed mixes; keys to improving cover crop establishment; ways to grow your business through good recommendations; and more.
- Recommendations on what seeds are being aerially applied in different areas of the country, with an emphasis on which cover crop species are most successful in different parts of the U.S.
Joining the webinar is easy!
- Read the instructions and join in at practicalfarmers.org/new-events/farminars on the correct day at time of the event (June 17 at 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT, 12 p.m. PT).
- Click “Join in” at the bottom of the page.
- Registration is not required, but if you choose to pre-register, you will receive reminder emails one week and one day before the webinar takes place.
News Site Distorts NAAA’s UAV Position and Lobbying Efforts, NAAA Fires Back
Last week, InTheCapital, an online news outlet, published an article on various industries’ drones advocacy efforts that misstated NAAA is lobbying against drones and inaccurately reported that the association spent $106,000 last year to oppose UAVs. The reporter was referring to data obtained from lobbying reports NAAA is required to submit to Congress. The truth—that we made the reporter’s editor aware of—is NAAA spent that amount on a whole host of government relations issues impacting the aerial application industry. Moreover, NAAA does not oppose UAVs but rather insists they be safely integrated in the same low-level airspace aerial applicators operate in by being equipped with strobes and ADS-B Out technology. Apprised of the facts, the editor adjusted the online article and inserted an editor’s note making NAAA’s position known, thereby properly putting us back on the high ground on this issue.
The full letter to the editor is as follows:
From: Jay Calleja
To: Brian Warmoth, Managing Editor
RE: Errors in drones lobbying article
Dear Mr. Warmoth:
In her May 13 article for InTheCapital, Hollywood and Farmers Team Up to Lobby for Drones, Tess VandenDolder was way off base in her “reporting” of the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s position on UAVs and our lobbying activities in that regard. To report that NAAA spent $106,000 last year to lobby against drones is false and misleading, and the galling thing is the facts were staring Ms. VandenDolder in the face. Ms. VandenDolder’s article bears striking resemblance to a Bloomberg piece her article links to, Filmmakers to Farmers Seeking Drone Bonanza in Washington. Had she read and subsequently repurposed Bloomberg’s article more carefully, Ms. VandenDolder would have noted that the $106,000 NAAA spent in 2013 was devoted to lobbying for a variety of issues, including but not limited to the safe integration of UAVs into the National Airspace. In addition, even a cursory look at NAAA’s website would have shown the range of policy issues that affect aerial applicators (a.k.a. crop dusters).
To add insult to injury, Ms. VandenDolder appears to doubt the sincerity of NAAA’s safety concerns, inferring that the real reason for our “objections” is “the fact that drone technology could replace the use of crop dusters all together.” Setting aside that claim for a moment, for the record, NAAA does not object to the use of UAVs for commercial activities so long as their presence does not jeopardize the safety of manned aircraft, particularly in the low-level airspace in which aerial applicators operate. We are confident that the appropriate balance will be struck, but until suitable regulations are in place the unregulated use of UAVs by farmers and other businesses is akin to the Wild West. Again, had Ms. VandenDolder made a quick visit to NAAA’s website, www.agaviation.org, or heaven forbid, called us, the sincerity of our industry’s safety concerns would have become clear. The second article on our homepage is titled, Protecting Ag Pilots from the Threat of UAVs.
We are disappointed in the level of slipshod reporting Ms. VandenDolder demonstrated in this case. For her and InTheCapital’s sake, I hope it is not indicative of her overall reportorial abilities. In the future, we suggest that she contact us if she would like to learn more about why safe integration of UAVs is so important. This literally is a life-and-death matter for our members. As such, we take it very seriously.
Sincerely,
Jay Calleja
Manager of Communications
National Agricultural Aviation Association
Dusty Crophopper Joins Smokey the Bear in New Wildfire Prevention PSAs
NAAA Convention: Kickoff Breakfast Details & Thank You Current Sponsors
Join us for the 48th Annual NAAA Convention & Exposition from Dec. 8-11th in Louisville, Ky. Monday, Dec. 9, you’ll hear from Trent Loos at the NAAA Kickoff Breakfast.
Loos connects rural and urban America by sharing the positive story of production agriculture. He is a sixth generation farmer and agricultural activist and he launched his radio program “Loos Tales” on January 8, 2001 when it aired for the first time on radio station KMZU in Missouri. Today, 3 million listeners on nearly 100 radio stations in 19 states hear the show every day, along with many who listen online worldwide. In addition to “Loos Tales”, Loos now hosts and produces a daily, one-hour radio program entitled “Rural Route,” “Illinois Truth Be Told”, “Dakota Trails and Tales” and “Colorado Trails and Tales,” which are available at his website www.LoosTales.com. Loos and his wife Kelli enjoy living on the ranch in central Nebraska with their daughters. The breakfast is sponsored by BASF.
We are continually updating the schedule of events for this year’s convention.
Thank You to NAAA Sponsors
NAAA has begun selling sponsorships for the NAAA Convention and we sincerely appreciate the companies that support NAAA and the agricultural aviation industry with a sponsorship for the 48th Annual NAAA Convention & Exposition. Sponsoring companies help ensure the success of our annual convention. Contact Lindsay Barber at 202-546-5722 today to discuss sponsorship opportunities!
Current sponsors:
- Diamond Sponsors: Pratt & Whitney and Syngenta
- Platinum Sponsors: BASF and Satloc
- Gold Sponsors: Air Tractor, AgriSmart, DuPont Crop Protection
- Silver Sponsors: Covington Aircraft, FMC, Tulsa Aircraft Engines
- Bronze Sponsors: AgAir Update and Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association
Exhibitors: Please note that booth sales will begin on July 22!
Book Your Hotel Room
It’s not too early to book your hotel room at the only head quarter’s hotel; The Galt House! You can walk to and from the convention center and The Galt House via the Louie Link Skywalk; limited transportation will be provided. Book your hotel room online or call (800) The-Galt or (502) 589-5200.
There are two rooming options at The Galt House:
- $110/night + tax for Rivue Tower (single or double) – Waterfront Balcony Suites offer views of the Ohio River and downtown.
- $130/night + tax
for Suite Tower (single or double)
Executive suites with a separate bedroom.
NPRM Proposes AD Affecting Honeywell TPE331 Engines
- Next piece-part exposure; or
- Next turbine (hot) section inspection (HSI); or
- Before accumulating an additional 3,600 cycles after the effective date of this AD. Exceptions are engines installed on Mitsubishi MU-2 series which must be replaced before accumulating 1,200 cycles; CASA C-212 series and Twin Commander 690 and 695 series which must be replaced before accumulating 2,400 cycles. Certain other listed aircraft and all others not listed, including ag aircraft, fall into the 3,600 cycle limit.