September 5, 2014
NAAA eNewsletter

NAAA, SBA File Comments on Agricultural Worker Protection Standard

On August 15 NAAA filed comments on the EPA’s proposed revisions to the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS). In the comments, NAAA outlined concerns we had with the many unnecessary and burdensome provisions EPA has proposed. Additionally, NAAA believes EPA's proposal does not take into account the current WPS ability to protect workers and commonplace aerial application industry technology, techniques and practices utilized to protect farm workers and handlers.

 

The biggest concern to NAAA proposed by EPA’s WPS revisions would require a 100-foot aerial entry restriction area around fields at the time of application regardless of wind direction.  Other concerns include stringent requirements for closed system loading equipment and federal requirements for exchanged communication by an applicator to the farmer within two hours of any programmatic changes to the application.  NAAA’s comments addressing its concerns with the proposal may be found by clicking here.

 

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) also submitted comments on the WPS. NAAA worked with SBA Advocacy and issued its concerns with the EPA WPS proposal to help them develop their comments to the EPA.  SBA Advocacy has done a lot of good work on NAAA’s behalf to protect our small businesses from proposed regulations that don’t adequately take into account the unique operating environment of small businesses. SBA Advocacy’s comments included recommending farms be exempt from the 100-foot buffer requirement, removing the requirement that operators share information with non-specified “authorized representatives” and expanding the definition of “immediate family” to include additional relatives that may work on a family-run facility. SBA Advocacy also helped to file down a number of the serrated edges of EPA’s initial proposed National Pollution Discharge Elimination System – Pesticide General Permit (NPDES-PGP) that would have required even more burdensome regulations than those currently imposed on operators.

 

NAAA remains committed to working to ensure the EPA does not impose the burdensome regulatory requirements outlined in the WPS proposal as it was published in the Federal Register. We will continue to keep membership updated as developments warrant. 

Pool Cleaner Pins Aerial Applicator’s Pool Problem on Area Crop Dusters!

NAAA recently received a call from a Mid-Atlantic operator about an issue his company was having with a local swimming pool service business. After a heavy rain, the operator noticed his family pool was cloudy, so he called the pool service to have it check the chemical balance in the pool.

 

The pool company representative came and one of the questions he asked the operator’s wife was if any crop dusters were around. When she replied yes, he informed her that the cloudy pool water was due to chemicals being sprayed on local sweet corn.

 

The operator began checking around and discovered that several other pool owners in the area had been given the same story, leading at least one homeowner to call the state’s department of agriculture, which then had to investigate. Of course, the information was not correct, but many of the pool company’s customers may never know they were given false information and could continue to “blame it on the crop dusters.”

 

Remember, a large part of communicating the benefits of agricultural aviation involves taking the time to correct false information. When you hear this kind of thing, don’t just laugh at the absurdity but take steps to rectify the situation. If you become aware of these types of issues in your communities, we suggest you contact your state or local department of consumer affairs. Furthermore, the NAAA Media Relations Kit  contains a wealth of information to help you dispel misinformation about the ag aviation industry.

Fare Thee Well, Aero-Engines Inc.


 

After almost 60 years in business, Los Angeles-based Aero-Engines Inc. officially closed its doors Aug. 29. The engine overhaul specialist announced the decision on its website in a message titled “It’s Time to Say Goodbye.” In the company owners’ own words:

This journey has taken us on a long ride, meeting a lot of interesting people, befriending many and providing service to customers across the continental USA and worldwide too numerous to count.
 
But after the retirement [of] some partners, the passing of three others, it is time to say goodbye and begin a new chapter in our lives. … We want to thank you all for allowing us to be of service to you for the past 59 years. Best wishes to all of you and may our competitors and friends, Tulsa Aircraft and Covington Aircraft fulfill your future engine needs.

Aero-Engines has been a longtime supporter and allied industry member of NAAA. Please join us in wishing William Acosta Jr., Edward Stanwood, Otis Perera, Tony Ortega and everyone associated with Aero-Engines well in their future endeavors. Thank you and good luck, gentlemen!

 

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Nominations Due Sept. 12 for 2014 NAAA Awards

Do you have a rising pilot within your ranks? Do you admire certain NAAA members for their outstanding service to the industry or their community? Last December, were you enjoying the Awards Banquet and thought to yourself, “I know the perfect person for that award?” Inquiring minds want to know! With just one week left to submit nominations for NAAA’s 2014 Awards, NAAA is searching for a few good men and women, and we want to hear from you!

 

The aerial application industry is filled with exceptional individuals who go above and beyond, often with little fanfare. Please think about the special people you have known and worked with over the years and tell us why they deserve an NAAA Award. Awardees will be honored at NAAA’s Farewell/Awards Banquet on Dec. 11, beginning at 5:45 p.m. in Louisville, Ky., at the Galt House in the Grand Ballroom.
 
There are 10 NAAA Award categories and one NAAREF award, the Evans-Christopher Operation S.A.F.E. Award. The Awards Nomination Form is available as print-only and fillable PDFs. To make a nomination, email or fax completed entries to NAAA at information@agaviation.org or (202) 546-5726. For typed submissions, please use the fillable form. Please call (202) 546-5722 with any questions. 

NAAA Award Categories

  • Agrinaut Award: Honors the agricultural aircraft operator or operating organization that has made an outstanding contribution in the field of ag aircraft operations. The recipient for the award must be or have been actively engaged in commercial agricultural application with an agricultural aircraft and the achievement cited should be a “state of the art” contribution for the benefit of the agricultural aircraft industry as a whole.

    Allied Industry Individual Award: Recognizes the NAAA members or staff and/or an allied industry individual who has significantly contributed to the allied industry and their exhibit efforts.

  • Delta Air Lines “Puffer” Award: Recognizes the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the design of agricultural aircraft and/or related equipment.

  • Evans-Christopher Operation S.A.F.E. Award: Recognizes individuals or entities that have made outstanding contributions to the Operation S.A.F.E. program. This Award is presented by NAAREF.

  • John Robert Horne Memorial Award: Honors a pilot with five years or less experience in the agricultural aviation industry that has an exemplary safety record and/or has contributed to safety in ag aviation.

  • Larsen-Miller Community Service Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by a member to his community.

  • Most Active Woman Award: Recognizes an outstanding contribution by a woman who is active in the affairs of the industry or the association.

  • Opal & Bill Binnion Memorial Award: Acknowledges those who contribute to the WNAAA in their efforts to educate the public about aerial application.

  • Outstanding Service Award: Awards outstanding service to the commercial agricultural aviation industry or to its association.

  • Related Industry Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by an allied industry member and his company.

  • William O. Marsh Safety Award: Recognizes significant achievements in safety, safety education or an outstanding operational safety program.

Book Your Convention Stay at NAAA’s Host Hotel

Join us at the Galt House for this year’s 48th Annual NAAA Convention & Exposition. You can walk to and from the convention center and The Galt House via the Louie Link Skywalk; limited transportation will be provided.

 

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

Book your hotel room online or call (800) The-Galt or (502) 589-5200. Reservation cutoff for NAAA block rate: Nov. 13

Renew Your 2015 NAAA Membership Today!

Thank you for supporting NAAA as a 2014 member. The trust you have placed in NAAA means a great deal, and we hope to have your continued support in 2015.  It’s that time of year to renew your NAAA membership! If you haven’t already received it, your membership renewal information is the mail, but there is no need to wait, you can renew your 2015 NAAA Membership online today. 
 
You can renew your membership at www.agaviation.org by logging into your account in the upper right hand corner and then click Membership Renewal on the left hand toolbar. As a reminder, NAAA launched a new website this summer. If you’ve not already signed into the NAAA website for the first time, please follow these directions to access your account for the first time. Please email information@agaviation.org if you have any issues logging in. 
 

 
There are numerous benefits to you whether you’re an operator, pilot or allied company. A few benefits to you as a member of NAAA include:
  • Protection against unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations. NAAA vows to protect the interests of agricultural aviation in Washington, DC, reach out to elected policymakers and pursue support for federal policy that is favorable to our industry—including the exemption of NPDES pesticide general permits, continuing to push for more stringent marking requirements for towers under 200 feet and ensuring the safe integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the national airspace while proactively safeguarding low-level aviation. Your dues provide NAAA with the advocacy resources to foster support for aerial application interests and education of elected officials about the important role aerial applicators play in agricultural production and public health protection.

  • Receive relevant and valuable benefits such as access to the NAAA Member’s Only section of the website, the NAAA Media Relations Kit and the 2015 NAAA Membership Directory, which will be chocked full of NAAA resources available to you, NPDES pesticide general permit compliance resources, and your one-stop shop to find aerial application parts, services, equipment, pilots and/or work in the industry.

  • Continue receiving this NAAA eNewsletter that contains significant information keeping you abreast of important things happening in the industry to help your bottom line as an ag pilot, operator, or if your business is aligned with the agricultural aviation industry.

  • Continually evolving education programs and services such as the Professional Aerial Applicators’ Support System (PAASS) that reduce aviation accidents and save lives. PAASS attendees can receive potential discounts through their insurance providers. PAASS and other NAAA education programs also qualify for continuing education units applicators use to renew their commercial pesticides licenses. 
You can read more about the benefits of NAAA Membership online. Your support of NAAA results in many significant benefits to the aerial application industry and you, such as advocacy and national representation, education and safety programs and the opportunity to network with fellow aerial applicators across the country. We are just a phone call or email away to answer your questions!  Contact the NAAA office at (202) 546-5722 or renew online today! Thank you for your continued support.

NAAA, WNAAA, NAAREF Board Meetings Oct. 10-12

The Westin Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif., will host the fall board meetings of the NAAA, WNAAA and NAAREF Boards of Directors Oct. 10–12, with some meetings beginning on Oct. 9. All meetings are open to NAAA members. If you’re interested in attending, please email Lindsay Barber for a tentative schedule.

 

Due to business relating to the Constitution & Bylaws Committee and the current re-write/merging of that document into a new NAAA Bylaws, the committee will meet Thursday afternoon from 3–6 p.m., and we are planning on a continuation of Saturday’s NAAA Board Meeting Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Thursday’s PAASS Program Development Committee will still meet that day from 12–3p.m.

Make your hotel reservations today:

Westin Long Beach at 333 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802
  • Book your room by calling 1-800-WESTIN1 or (562) 436-3000. Mention NAAA Board Meeting
  • Book online: tinyurl.com/naaaboardmeeting
  • Rate: $159/night (single/double. Additional person is $25) + Tax
  • Block closes Sept. 16
  • Includes Complimentary Internet Access in Guest Rooms

We know some members like to come early or stay a couple of days after the meeting to enjoy the city where we meet, and Long Beach has a lot to offer. Learn more about the area  at VisitLongBeach.com.

 
Stay tuned to upcoming eNewsletters for important updates on NAAA business following completion of the spring board meetings.