June 14, 2018
NAAA eNewsletter

NAAA Exec. Director Discusses Drone Safety on RFD-TV, Radio

 

NAAA’s media overtures calling on UAV operators to take precautions around agricultural aircraft during the summer growing season continue to pay off. NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore discussed NAAA’s UAV safety recommendations and how drone users can contact aerial applicators during interviews on RFD-TV and RFD Radio Network.

 

Moore was a guest on RFD-TV’s “Market Day Report” (“MDR”) June 7. “As agricultural aircraft hit the skies this growing season, drone users need to operate in a responsible manner as well,” host Janet Adkison said before welcoming Moore to the program. He joined “MDR” by phone from NAAA’s headquarters in Virginia.

 

Adkison began by asking if there have been any close calls between a crop dusters and drones. (Answer: Yes, three close encounters in the past few years.) The host also asked about steps UAV operators should take to ensure they are operating safely and not putting others at risk. Throughout the 4-minute segment, several points from NAAA’s UAV safety press release were included in graphics overlaying b-roll material.

 

Watch the full interview in the video above.

 

Moore was able to speak about aerial application and UAV operations at greater length on “RFD Today” on RFD Radio Network on June 11. He spoke by phone with anchor DeLoss Jahnke about NAAA’s entreaty advising drone pilots to operate safely throughout the growing season. NAAA’s press release reminded UAV users that agricultural aviators fly as low as 10 feet off the ground, meaning they share airspace with UAVs that are limited to flying no more than 400 feet above ground level. For this reason, NAAA asked UAV operators to do everything they can to avoid ag aircraft doing important, low-level work.

 

“The one key is you have to make sure that you give way to any manned aircraft. That’s a priority,” Moore told Jahnke. “A couple of other things that we suggest strongly is that there be some sort of tracking device on the UAV,” such as an ADS-B transmitter.

 

NAAA has seven recommendations for UAV operators in all:

  • Equip drones with tracking technology, such as ADS-B, so other aircraft similarly equipped know of their positions.
  • Get certified and well-trained in operating a UAV.
  •  Contact local agricultural aviation operations before flying by consulting AgAviation.org/findapplicator.
  •  Equip UAVs with visible strobe lights.
  • Give the right-of-way to a manned aircraft. It’s the law.
  •  Land your UAV immediately when a low-flying aircraft is nearby.
  •  Carry UAV liability insurance.

The complete “RFD Today” interviewed lasted 14 minutes over two segments. Listen to it here.

 

RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network focused on agribusiness. It reaches more than 50 million homes on Dish Network, DirecTV, Comcast and many other rural cable systems. RFD Radio Network programming is also widely circulated throughout the U.S. and can be found on channel 147 of SiriusXM.

Senate Farm Bill Overwhelmingly Passes Out of Agriculture Committee, Sans NPDES-PGP Exemption Language and Other Needed Reg Reform Measures

Unlike the partisan rancor surrounding the House Farm Bill, the Senate Farm Bill overwhelming passed by a vote of 20-1 out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday afternoon. However, also unlike the House Farm Bill, the Senate bill did not include any major regulatory relief provisions, such as exempting the duplicative NPDES pesticide general permit requirements for applicators since pesticides must already meet robust safety tests for water before they are registered under FIFRA. There is still a possibility regulatory relief provisions could be added on the Senate floor or added when the House and Senate bills go into a conference committee. Senate leaders wanted to keep the Farm Bill as simple and as uncontroversial as possible because the Senate Farm Bill will need 60 votes, requiring support from both Republicans and Democrats.

 

One of the other reasons the bill passed overwhelmingly out of the committee is because aside from some small technical changes, the bill doesn’t make any changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as food stamps. This contrasts with the House version of the bill, where lawmakers are attempting to enact stricter work requirements.

 

A House vote on the Farm Bill failed last month after the conservative Freedom Caucus withheld their votes over unrelated immigration legislation. A re-vote has been tentatively set for June 22, assuming the Freedom Caucus and House leadership can come to a compromise on immigration.

 

Once the House and Senate pass their respective Farm Bills, a conference committee will meet to hammer out differences. Once both houses pass identical legislation, it will go to the president for his signature. Most provisions in the current Farm Bill expire Sept. 30, 2018. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said at today’s markup he wants to see the Senate pass the Farm Bill before the July 4 recess.

 

Below are updates on some of the issues important to aerial applicators as they relate to the House and Senate Farm Bills: 

NPDES-PGP Exemption

NAAA, along with dozens of industry partners and 29 state and regional ag aviation associations, sent a letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee asking S.340, The Sensible Environmental Protection Act, be included in the Senate Farm Bill. The inclusion of this bill is important to aerial applicators because it would eliminate the need for a costly National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit (PGP) for products already certified under FIFRA. In addition to being costly and burdensome for small businesses, the NPDES PGP can subject applicators to unfounded litigation and is also unnecessary because pesticides are already tested and regulated under FIFRA for water safety, with strict instructions indicated on the EPA-approved product label to protect water. The EPA has previously testified to the adequacy of FIFRA’s comprehensive regulatory requirements including protection of aquatic species and drinking water.

 

Prior to the committee markup on Wednesday, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) submitted an amendment to to eliminate the duplicative NPDES permit. However, she withdrew the amendment at the committee hearing Wednesday morning because there were disagreements over whether or not NPDES legislation was germane to the Farm Bill.  Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) did pledge to continue working on the issue as the process proceeds.

Cooperative Federalism

Senator David Perdue (R-GA) introduced an “cooperative federalism” amendment that would allow only state lead pesticide agencies to regulate crop protection products. This amendment is important because in recent years it has become more common for local counties and municipalities to regulate the use of crop protection products, notably the enacted ballot measure in Lincoln County, Ore., that effectively banned aerial application in the county. The measure in the farm bill would allow only state lead pesticide agencies to regulate crop protection products. While there is a risk states could impose burdensome statewide regulations, the crop protection industry believes state-level experts are better equipped to make those decisions as opposed to having a patchwork of different regulations decided by towns and counties. However, senator Perdue also withdrew his amendment for consideration.

Agricultural Research Funding

Much like in the House bill, agricultural research funding remains flat in the 2018 Senate Farm Bill. NAAA has worked with staff on both the House Agriculture and Appropriations Committees to include language in the farm bill’s report noting the importance of aerial application technology research. Favorable committee report language sends a strong message to the USDA to continue to sustain appropriate funding for aerial application research. Since 2002 NAAA has been successful in lobbying the government for an additional $8,912,500 in federal funding for aerial application technology research. NAAA will continue to work for adequate USDA-ARS funding for the continued design of aerial application technologies, tools and techniques that mitigate drift, result in fuel savings and make aerial applications more efficacious.

NAAREF Sends Report to NTSB Addressing 2014 SIR Recommendations on Accident Prevention

Early in 2014, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released special investigation report (SIR) number SIR-14/01 detailing investigations of 78 ag accidents that occurred during 2013. All of these accidents involved some aspect of agricultural operations, pilot training, or other crop protection activities. Not all these accidents occurred during a part 137 operation but were tied to the ag industry close enough to warrant investigating their causes.

 

This week NAAREF submitted a third follow-up letter to inform the NTSB of the actions being taken on the Board’s safety recommendations. The four SIR safety recommendations to NAAREF and the FAA were:

 

1. Guidance for fatigue management is lacking for agricultural aircraft operations, and such guidance could help operators and pilots develop effective strategies to reduce the likelihood of fatigue, dehydration, hunger, and other physiological factors that can negatively affect a pilot’s concentration, decision-making, and performance.

 

2. Risk management guidelines and best practices specific to agricultural aircraft operations are necessary tools to help operators and pilots mitigate the unique risks associated with their operation. Risk management is a decision-making process by which pilots can systematically identify hazards, assess the degree of risk, and determine the best course of action.

 

3. A resource that contains detailed information related specifically to agricultural aircraft inspection, maintenance best practices, and quality assurance can reduce the likelihood that unsafe practices may be introduced and perpetuated.

 

4.Standards and procedures are essential for safe operations. Without a resource that contains detailed information related specifically to agricultural aircraft operations, knowledge and skills test topics in existing FAA guidance materials, unsafe, nonstandard practices can be introduced and perpetuated.

 

NAAREF’s responses listed in the letter sent to the Board this week are broken down and summarized by each recommendation as follows:

 

1.A-14-028 – Fatigue Management.

 

    a. The 2015-2016 PAASS Program Human Factors module was an excellent program on the topic of recognizing and mitigating the effects of fatigue in ag aviation.

 

    b. A brochure called “Combatting Fatigue in Ag Aviation” was created to remind pilots and operators of the dangers posed by fatigue. The brochure is available at PAASS Presentations.

 

    c.Fatigue, fatigue management, nutrition, dehydration and other physiological factors have been used as topics on Fly Safe bulletins.

 

    d.The May/June 2015 issue of Agricultural Aviation magazine was dedicated to the subject of fatigue. A total of eleven articles and sidebars covered fatigue as viewed from different perspectives. The July/August 2015 issue contained two additional fatigue articles.

 

    e.NAAREF produced a video on fatigue first for presentation at the NAAA convention’s safety session and then to be posted on the NAAA website’s “Safety and Education Videos” page.

 

2.A-14-029 – Risk Management.

 

    a.The 2016-2017 PAASS Human Factors module addressed the topic of risk management in aerial application. The program instructed attendees in becoming aware of potential risks; clearly identifying those risks; and managing those risks successfully.

 

    b.Obstructions are one of the major risks to the ag pilot. The NAAREF Safety Session at the 2015 NAAA national convention featured a video titled Wires and Obstructions discussing wires, trees, wind turbines, towers and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The video is available for viewing on the website along with the fatigue video described above.

 

    c.Fly Safe safety reminders were sent to ag operations and Agricultural Aviation articles were written pertaining to risk mitigation.

 

3.A-14-030 – Aircraft Inspection and Maintenance.

 

    a.The 2017-2018 PAASS Human Factors module produced with the assistance of Tom Little, a former ag pilot and currently an NTSB accident investigator, selected accidents where improper or lack of maintenance was determined to be the accident’s cause. Each accident was analyzed, and the attendees were given a chance to discuss steps to prevent this type of accident.

 

    b.Maintenance has been and will continue to be used as the topic of Fly Safe bulletins and magazine articles.

 

4.A-14-031 – Knowledge and Skills Tests.

 

    a.A working group appointed by the NAAA Safety/Federal Aviation Regulations Committee will work with FAA and NTSB representatives to produce guidance on administration and content of the Part 137 knowledge and skills test. Information will be drawn from FAR Part 137, FSIMS 8900.1 and Advisory Circular 137-1B to produce guidance and a checklist for the industry’s use.

 

The topics highlighted in the SIR will continue to be incorporated into the PAASS Program; convention safety programs; and safety articles in our magazine issues, Fly Safe bulletins and eNewsletters. Please join with NAAA, NAAREF and NTSB to reduce accidents and make ag aviation a safer place in which to work.

National Academies of Science Report says FAA too Risk-Averse with UAV Operations

The National Academies of Science (NAS) released a report saying the FAA is being too conservative when developing risk-based UAV regulations. The report says because the FAA requires UAV operators to show a near-zero level of risk, the agency is hampering industry innovation and needs to shift its approach to balancing the risks and benefits of UAVs.  

 

The report reads, in part, "The focus of the FAA is often solely on what might go wrong, and the dialogue now needs to shift toward balancing risks with potential advantages of drone operations, developing a holistic picture on overall risk and benefit.”

 

NAAA strongly opposes loosening safety standards for UAVs and believes regulations that apply to manned aircraft should also apply to UAVs. The FAA’s approach to developing these standards have created the safest airspace in the world, and it would be a mistake to scrap existing risk-based standards, putting the public, and low-flying aviators in particular, at risk.

 

A recent Government Accountability Office Report found the FAA lacked effective UAV oversight due to its lack of reliable data and deficiencies in its risk management approach. The FAA is currently working on establishing new ways to collect the necessary data to refine its risk-management methods. This surgical approach to tweaking risk-management standards is far more appropriate, particularly because it will be based on sound data.

 

Additionally, the UAV pilot program allowing for expanded UAV operations at 10 different sites across the U.S. should result in a trove of data to make the integration of UAVs into the national airspace safer and efficient.

 

While it is important for the government to foster innovation and develop regulations that keep up with ever-changing technology, NAAA believes existing standards that have a clear track record of providing the highest level of safety is the best approach.

Exhibitor Details for the 2018 Ag Aviation Expo

We look forward to seeing our Allied members and exhibitors at the 2018 Ag Aviation Expo in Reno, Nev., Dec. 3–6. Experience a new Reno! This rapidly changing city has become ground zero for a new technology boom as many companies have moved to Reno, including Tesla, Apple Cloud, a division of Microsoft and many more. Because of this, the city has also seen a boom in amazing restaurants, microbreweries and bar, shopping and nightclubs. Having a new vibrancy all its own, Reno is a cool and fun place to hang out.


The NAAA Trade Show will take place Dec. 4 from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Live Auction will begin on the trade show floor at 5:30 p.m.) and Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The booth and aircraft fees for this year’s Ag Aviation Expo will remain the same as last year’s rates.


Booth Sales for Aircraft & Large Booth Space: If you plan to bring an aircraft, need a 20x20 island booth or larger, or need a 10x30 inline booth or larger, please contact Lindsay Barber ASAP. To ensure the best placement on the trade show floor, we appreciate knowing about aircraft and large booth spaces by mid-April. We currently have seven confirmed aircraft for the NAAA Trade Show.

 
Booth sales for 10x10 and 10x20 spaces will begin July 12.

Additional Details for 2018 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo

  • Dates: Dec. 3–6, 2018
  • Location: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and Reno-Sparks Convention Center
  • Schedule of Events: Current schedule here. Subject to change.
  • Hotel: Hotel Details Below
  • Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a PT6-34AG engine to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. While we’re still several months away from the Ag Aviation Expo, but it’s never too early to donate an item for the Live and Silent Auction. 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 item today. Email Lindsay with your donation details.
  • Attendee Registration: Will open July 1
  • Exhibitor Booth Sales: Will open July 12 for 10x10 and 10x20 spaces. Email Lindsay if you’d like a large booth space (aircraft, island or 10x30+) or plan to be a Diamond or Platinum sponsor.
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsorship opportunities here. Please email Lindsay to discuss your sponsorship! We offer sponsorships for all budget sizes.

Book Your Hotel Room

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a world-class, Four Diamond resort destination. A splendid oasis created for relaxation, celebration and rejuvenation, the Atlantis has always been a favorite resort destination for travelers near and far, recognized for luxurious accommodations, a world-class revitalizing spa and salon, award-winning dining and fun casino action.


Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

  • Rate: $109/night + taxes (NAAA has negotiated to waive the resort fee. Included in your room rate is complimentary in room Wi-Fi or wired internet, self-parking, use of fitness center, use of indoor pool, extended check out time of 12 p.m. and complimentary airport shuttle service)
  • Reservations: Book Online Here or call (800) 723-6500 and reference the NAAA Convention (SNAA18). Online reservations require a deposit of one night’s room charge + taxes. Call-in reservations will not be charged a deposit, but require a credit card to hold reservation.
  • Block Deadline: Monday, Nov. 12
  • Hotel Address: 3800 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV 89502
  • Airport Shuttle: Atlantis provides a free airport shuttle that runs at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour from 5:15 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. leaving the airport. The shuttle leaves the hotel on the hour and 30 minutes after the hour from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

NOTE: No one from (or on behalf of) the Atlantis hotel or NAAA will contact you to book a hotel room. NAAA recommends that you make your own hotel reservations using the information on this page. Do not book a room with any company that calls you directly.

Beware of Fraudulent Company Trying to Book Hotel Rooms for NAAA Ag Aviation Expo

NAAA received notification that an independent third party company is contacting our NAAA Allied members to book sleeping rooms at the Peppermill or other Reno hotels. The only NAAA room block in Reno is at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno. These are spam phone calls; do not book your room with these companies. We are not aware of the number of companies making these calls, but in the past they’ve gone by several different names and many operate out of Las Vegas.

 

Please remember that no one from (or on behalf of) NAAA or the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa will contact you (phone, email, etc.) to book a hotel room. NAAA recommends that you make your own hotel reservations using the information below or in NAAA publications. Do not trust these companies; they will take your money and you will not have a hotel room in Reno.

 

NAAA recommends ignoring their phone calls; however, if you speak to one of these companies, please let Lindsay know if they tell you that they’re calling on behalf of NAAA or the Atlantis, their company name and phone number.  

 

The headquarter hotel for the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo this Dec. 3-6, 2018 in Reno is the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. Booking details are online at https://www.agaviation.org/hotel.

Additional Details for 2018 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo

  • Dates: Dec. 3–6, 2018
  • Location: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and Reno-Sparks Convention Center
  • Schedule of Events: Current schedule here. Subject to change.
  • Hotel: Hotel Details Below
  • Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a PT6-34AG engine to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. While we’re still several months away from the Ag Aviation Expo, but it’s never too early to donate an item for the Live and Silent Auction. 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 item today. Email Lindsay with your donation details.
  • Attendee Registration: Will open July 1 
  • Exhibitor Booth Sales: Will open July 12 for 10x10 and 10x20 spaces. Email Lindsay if you’d like a large booth space (aircraft, island or 10x30+) or plan to be a Diamond or Platinum sponsor.
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsorship opportunities here. Please email Lindsay to discuss your sponsorship! We offer sponsorships for all budget sizes. 

Book Your Hotel Room

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a world-class, Four Diamond resort destination. A splendid oasis created for relaxation, celebration and rejuvenation, the Atlantis has always been a favorite resort destination for travelers near and far, recognized for luxurious accommodations, a world-class revitalizing spa and salon, award-winning dining and fun casino action.


Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

  • Rate: $109/night + taxes (NAAA has negotiated to waive the resort fee. Included in your room rate is complimentary in room Wi-Fi or wired internet, self-parking, use of fitness center, use of indoor pool, extended check out time of 12 p.m. and complimentary airport shuttle service)
  • Reservations: Book Online Here or call (800) 723-6500 and reference the NAAA Convention (SNAA18). Online reservations require a deposit of one night’s room charge + taxes. Call-in reservations will not be charged a deposit, but require a credit card to hold reservation.
  • Block Deadline: Monday, Nov. 12
  • Hotel Address: 3800 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV 89502
  • Airport Shuttle: Atlantis provides a free airport shuttle that runs at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour from 5:15 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. leaving the airport. The shuttle leaves the hotel on the hour and 30 minutes after the hour from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Deadline to Enter the 2018 Environmental Respect Awards Contest Extended to June 20!


 

Now in its 28th year, the Environmental Respect Awards is the agricultural industry’s premier stewardship program honoring outstanding work in preserving the environment through safe, responsible business practices. Interested aerial applicators have until June 20 to make a compelling case for their operation’s environmental stewardship program. The Environmental Respect Awards program is open to retail farm supply businesses that store, handle, sell, and/or apply crop nutrient and crop protection products.

 

Over the years, a number of NAAA members have been recognized for the environmental respect on display at their operations. In 2016, for example, Glenn and Scott Heinen of Heinen Brothers Agra Services in Seneca, Kan., won the Environmental Respect Award for the state of Kansas. Darrel Mertens, current NAAA vice president and owner/operator of Aero Applications in Sterling, Colo., has been a national finalist.

 

To compete for an Environmental Respect Award, you must submit a self-audit entry at environmentalrespect.com. Creating a self-audit entry has never been easier, thanks to the Environmental Respect Awards’ save-as-you-go entry process. Aerial applicators can save their entries and update them at a later time by logging in with their username and password.

 

The Environmental Respect Awards are sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, the new agriculture division of DowDupont, and presented by CropLife magazine and AgriBusiness Global. One business in each state and a sub-regional winner from each of three U.S regions (East, Central, West) plus Canada will be recognized as the best business in their respective areas. Regional Winners from each of three U.S. regions plus Canada are invited to Washington DC for a gala celebration October 1–4, 2018. A top regional award—named as “Ambassador of Respect”—is revealed only at the grand finale of the gala celebration.

 

Other NAAA members that have been past ERA winners include NAAA member Tim Tyree of Tyree Ag Inc. in Kinsley, Kan. Tyree received a Kansas state Environmental Respect Award in 2009 and was named a 2011 Environmental Respect Award regional winner. A decade earlier, Mertens’ operation, Aero Applicators Inc., received state honors in Colorado in 2001 and a regional Environmental Respect Award in 2002.

Contest Tips

Want to get a leg up on the competition? Here are some tips from past judges to make your self-audit entry stand out:

  1. Supply photos, such as pictures that pertain to your security, mixing and loading, storage and safety procedures. Pictures will bolster the claims you report in your self-audit booklet.

  2. Supply supporting materials. Consider newspaper and magazine articles about your business, community letters, marketing materials, copies of written emergency plans, facility maps, press materials, etc. The more information, the better.

  3. Include comments and explanations. Several areas throughout the self-audit online application request comments or explanations. Use those areas to explain your business procedures,

  4.  Provide background information and communicate your company policies. The selection panel refers to the comment sections to help make final decisions about winning entries.

  5. Make sure every question is answered in the self-audit. All unanswered questions count as a “No” response and can significantly affect your entry score.

Visit environmentalrespect.com for more information and to get started.