June 8, 2017
NAAA eNewsletter
NAAA Selected for UAS Identification and Tracking ARC
NAAA has been selected to be on the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Identification and Tracking Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). The goal of the ARC is to help public safety officials identify UAS during operations when enforcement must be taken.
While current law requires commercial UAS operators to mark their aircraft with an N-number, this is not likely to be visible on aircraft that are generally small relative to manned aircraft, which makes law enforcement difficult.
According to the UAS-ID ARC charter, “the UAS-ID ARC will provide a forum to discuss and provide recommendations to the FAA … regarding technologies available for the remote identification and tracking of UAS.” This includes recommending technologies, identifying requirements of law enforcement, and evaluating the feasibility and affordability of technical solutions to identify and track UAS.
NAAA will serve on the Implementation Working Group, which will combine recommendations developed by the Technologies and Law Enforcement and Security working groups to consider regulatory barriers, statutory considerations, economic cost, standards development, and an overall path to implementation. The report developed by the Implementation Working Group will function as the draft of the final recommendation from the ARC due Sept. 30, 2017.
The UAS-ID ARC presents a great opportunity for NAAA to ensure that identification and tracking technologies used by FAA and law enforcement are compatible with ag aviation and will be useful in more rural areas.
Christian Rice Departing NAAA :(
It is bittersweet news to report that Christian Rice, NAAA’s coordinator of government and public relations, is departing NAAA at week’s end. But the upstanding young man is leaving to pursue a most worthwhile endeavor—his law degree at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Virginia law school as the No. 8 law school in the country for 2017. Rice has served in the government relations coordinator position at NAAA since January 2016 and has done a great job assisting the association in its public policy advocacy, communications and public relations services. Please join NAAA in thanking Christian Rice for his NAAA service and in wishing him the best in what will very likely be a most impressive professional career.
EPA Delays Certification and Training Rule
The EPA has delayed the effective date for the “Certification of Pesticide Applicators” rule, also known as the certification and training rule, from June 5, 2017, to May 22, 2018.
The rule generally sets baseline standards for state certification of pesticide applicators, mandates that states recertify applicators at least once every five years, and mandates that states have a certification category for aerial application that requires applicators to pass an exam, earn continuing education units or both. All state pesticide applicator certification plans must now be submitted to, and approved by, the EPA.
The rule also sets the minimum age for commercial applicators at 18 years old, even if a person under 18 can pass all certification exams, wears proper protective equipment, and otherwise is able to safely handle or apply pesticides.
The age requirement provision is a burden for some aerial application businesses that hire applicators or work with family members under the age of 18 to mix and load pesticides. NAAA will work to repeal this part of the rule in the coming year.
White House Outlines ATC Reform Plan; GA Coalition Counters
President Trump Monday signed a document outlining “principles for reforming the U.S. Air Traffic Control system.” The document establishes the president’s priorities in regard to turning ATC into a non-profit entity.
The document states that removing ATC from direct government control would help ATC operate outside of the government bureaucracy and allow it to “keep pace with the accelerating rate of change in the aviation industry… A more nimble ATC entity will also be able to more quickly and securely implement Next Generation (NextGen) technology, which will reduce aircraft delays and expand the availability of the National Airspace System (NAS) for all users.”
Relevant to the ag aviation industry, the document also states, “All users, including the general aviation industry and emerging new entrants, must have open access to our Nation’s airspace,” and “must maintain access and services to rural communities and general aviation users.”
The president’s plan would transfer ATC to a non-profit entity over the course of three years. The non-profit would be funded by fees, instead of by taxpayer dollars, and would be governed by a 13-member board of directors. Two board members would be selected by Airlines for America, one by the National Air Traffic Controllers of America, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the National Business Aviation Association would share in the selection of one board member, Airports Council International – North America and the American Association of Airport Executives would share in the selection of another board member, and the Department of
Transportation would select two board members. Those nine board members would then select four more board members.
The president’s principles are largely in line with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster’s ATC corporatization proposal released in 2016. NAAA expects that committee to release a new, similar plan in the coming months and it looks as if the president will back it.
NAAA and its general aviation allies signed a letter to the president directed at his proposal outlining that general aviation “is an industry that generates more than one million jobs, and more than $200 billion for the nation’s economy…[and] that the majority of all general aviation in the world today takes place in the U.S.” The letter also emphasized that “the U.S. air traffic control system is the best in the world, moving more aircraft, more safely and efficiently, than any other country.” The coalition of general aviation groups also stated that “it has very real and long-standing concerns…to user fees,” and particularly underscored those fees negative effect on general aviation in other countries. NAAA will continue to keep you informed on this issue.
Ag Industry Unites to Help Crash Victim Clayton Bruton
On the morning of May 28, a young Texas ag pilot named Clayton Bruton was very seriously injured when the Piper PA-36 he was flying crashed from an apparent engine failure. Bruton, a fourth-generation pilot and third-generation ag pilot, is the son of Paul and Patricia Bruton of El Campo, Texas. He was just beginning his career as an ag pilot. Bruton’s injuries required him to be transported by life flight helicopter to Houston where a medical team performed life-saving treatment.
Multiple blood transfusions were required and surgeries became a part of the treatment process. He has had his 5th surgery with the next one scheduled for later this week to rebuild his injured legs. Hopefully, when the repairs are made, his legs will function as normal.
The Bruton family appreciates the outpouring of prayers, donations and other help that has been offered to them. A family friend has started a GoFundMe page to donate for Clayton’s medical expenses. For those wishing to donate, the URL is https://www.gofundme.com/clayton-brutons-medical-expense.
A blood drive is scheduled for June 16 in the area. However, you can donate from anywhere using code CB01 or let the blood drive know your donation is for Clayton Bruton at Memorial Herman Red Duke Trauma Center in Houston, Texas.
The family has also learned that if someone wishes to donate monetarily, Clayton will not be taxed if “gift” is written on the check. These donations will go 100 percent directly to him for meeting the huge medical expenses. They can be mailed to the flying service office at 2687 CR 408, El Campo, TX 77437.
Clayton has a very long road of recovery ahead of him. Please keep Clayton and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
NAAA Signs Letter Requesting Funding for Piston Fuel Development
NAAA has joined several general aviation associations in signing two letters: one to Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and David Price (D-NC), and one to Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI). Both aforementioned Republican members are the Chairmen of their respective chamber's Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, while the Democratic members are the ranking members of their respective chamber's subcommittees.
The letters ask that the members of Congress “provide $7,000,000 in funding for the FAA’s NextGen – Alternative Fuels for General Aviation (GA) program.”
The program seeks to develop an unleaded fuel for piston aircraft under the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI). Unleaded fuel is thought to be better for the environment.
The letters state “To date, the FAA has reviewed seventeen initial candidate fuels and selected four for initial testing. After rigorous laboratory testing in this phase, two fuels were selected for engine and aircraft testing. Thus far, these fuels have been evaluated for operability, performance, detonation, and for warm and cold weather operation in addition to materials compatibility, emissions, and toxicology. With FY18 funding, the FAA will continue to build upon these tests, and others, with full-scale engine and flight tests, cooperative agreements and independent laboratory testing, and further engineering, technical, and management support.”
Continuing to fund FAA’s NextGen – Alternative Fuels for GA program will continue to progress the development of unleaded fuel for piston aircraft to ensure these aircraft have a reliable fuel source for years to come.
Support the Ag Aviation Expo with an Auction Donation
While we’re still several months away from the 2017 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo taking place Dec. 4–7 in Savannah, but it’s never too early to donate an item for the Live and Silent Auction. Help us make this year’s auction a blowout! The Live and Silent auctions support NAAA programs and services to aerial applicators. We know that companies receive many auction solicitations and we appreciate your consideration and support.
The earlier you inform us of your auction donation, the more advertising you’ll receive on the NAAA website and in NAAA publications. Support the aerial application industry by donating an auction item! Thank you to the companies that have already donated an item.
Click here to download a donation form or email all of your donation details to lbarber@agaviation.org. Big ticket items are reserved for the Live Auction, with smaller items are allocated for the Silent Auction, but final determinations are made onsite once all the offerings have been inventoried. Please include the value of your item on the document or in your email.
Dates: Dec. 4–7, 2017
- Location: Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. Some events will also take place at the Westin, which is located directly next to the convention center.
- Schedule of Events: Current schedule here. Subject to change.
- Hotel: Hotel details below.
- Attendee Registration: Will open July 5
- Exhibitor Booth Sales: Will open July 11 for 10x10 and 10x20 spaces. Sales are already open for large booth space (aircraft, 10’x30’, 20’x20’ or larger). Please email Lindsay if you’d like to be contacted regarding large booth space.
- Sponsorship Opportunities: Click here to view available sponsorships. Please email Lindsay if you would like to secure a sponsorship from last year or would like to be contacted about 2017 opportunities! We have sponsorships available for all budget ranges.
Book Your Hotel Room
2017 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo housing is coordinated through the Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Housing office. Please do not call the hotels directly; use the link and/or phone number below to book your room.
Rooms are available at the Westin Savannah Harbor (directly next to the convention center), Hyatt Regency Savannah and Savannah Marriott Riverfront hotels (across the river from the convention center and Westin – transportation provided).
PLEASE NOTE THE CANCELLATION POLICY FOR THE WESTIN. For each reservation canceled after Nov. 1, 2017, a non-refundable one night room and tax will be charged to the credit card on file. Guests who check out early (prior to the reserved check-out date) will be assessed one full night's room charge, plus applicable taxes. This was put in place in 2015 due to many people canceling rooms at the Westin a few days before the NAAA Convention, leaving dozens of rooms unfilled at that hotel.
Complimentary Transportation & River Taxis
Complimentary river taxis and bus transportation will be provided between the hotels, convention center and the downtown Savannah entertainment district for all exhibitors and attendees.
Check Your 2017 Membership Directory for Possible Missing/Duplicate Pages
Last week a member informed NAAA about a problem with his copies of the 2017 NAAA Membership Directory, the result of an apparent binding mistake by the printer. In both copies of the directory his company received, pages 49-64 were missing while pages 33-48 appeared twice, back to back. We checked the copies of the 2017 Membership Directory in stock at NAAA’s office and did not discover any binding problems.
NAAA has notified its printer about the situation and is asking members to check their copies of the 2017 Membership Directory to make sure pages 49-64 are included. If you do have pages 49-64, check to make sure you also have pages 33-48. It’s possible some members may have received copies in which pages 33-48 are missing and pages 49-64 appear twice. Based on the response we have gotten so far, however, the extent of this problem appears to be limited in scope.
If you discover a binding mistake in your copy of the 2017 Membership Directory, please contact NAAA at (202) 546-5722 or jcalleja@agaviation.org so that we can send you a replacement directory with the correct pages. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.