NAAA Sends Letter to FAA Demanding Manned Aircraft Maintain Right-of-Way Over UAVs

Last week, NAAA sent a letter to the FAA explaining why a policy proposal the agency is considering would be detrimental to manned aircraft and all low-level aviators. While considering exemption requests for UAVs to conduct powerline inspections, the FAA is considering the concept of “infrastructure masking” as a valid mitigation technique to keep UAVs and manned aircraft separated.

 

Infrastructure masking is the concept that because manned aircraft are supposed to avoid obstacles, UAVs can operate close to these obstacles without interfering with manned aircraft activities. The UAVs near these obstacles could then potentially have the right-of-way over manned aircraft.

 

This policy would be detrimental to low-flying manned aircraft due not only to small UAVs being notoriously difficult to see but also due to their operators not having to be present to control them from colliding with manned aircraft.

 

NAAA explained the unique operational environment of aerial applicators requires them to constantly maneuver tightly around utility wires and poles to treat surrounding crops. The letter went on to explain aerial applicators already face high cockpit workloads and constant threats from other low-level obstacles. The letter included the following text pertaining to Part 137 accidents: 

In the 10-year period between 2009 and 2018, there have been an average of 8.6 wire strike accidents and 1.7 tower collision accidents per annum. Over that same 10-year period, 13 of the wire strike accidents and 8 of the tower collisions were fatal. Adding UAVs as an additional obstacle in this already dangerous environment is likely to increase accidents.

The letter also explained that in addition to wires, there are many other obstructions that are a danger to low-level aviators, such as meteorological evaluation towers, radio communication towers, towers supporting powerlines and wind turbines. Along with the letter, NAAA included an accident report detailing the perilous effects of these obstacles. The report showed from 2008 to 2018, there have been 22 Part 137 accidents from collisions with these obstructions resulting in nine fatalities. For all of general aviation, there have been 40 tower related accidents and incidents resulting in 36 fatalities over the same 10-year period.

 

The letter closed by saying NAAA is aware of the important functions that can be accomplished by UAVs, but at the same time protecting the safety of current and future users of the National Airspace System is mandatory.

 

You can read the full letter here.

NAAA Sends Press Release with Startling New Data on Tower Accidents to Encourage Tower Marking and Logging Ahead of FAA Regulations

This week, NAAA sent a press release to media outlets encouraging landowners to mark and log towers on their property ahead of forthcoming FAA regulations. Both the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016 and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 require towers between 50 and 200 feet tall with an above-ground base of less than 10 feet in diameter in rural areas to be marked and/or logged in a database the FAA is currently developing. Previously, no towers under 200 feet were subject to any federal marking requirements.

 

Under the provisions in these laws, meteorological evaluation towers (METs) meeting the requirements stipulated in the bill must be both marked and logged in to the FAA database. Communication towers of the same size have the option to be either marked or logged in the FAA database. 

 

The press release stated that from 2008 to 2018, there have been 22 agricultural aviation accidents from collisions with METs, communication towers, towers supporting power lines and wind turbines resulting in nine fatalities. However, when including tower accidents for all of general aviation, there have been 40 tower-related accidents and incidents resulting in 36 fatalities over the same 11-year period. The press release states in part: 

These obstructions are a not just a risk for agricultural aviators, but for all general aviation operations as well, including EMS, law enforcement, aerial imaging flights, sport pilots and gliders....The data also shows many of those general aviation aviators did not collide with the main body of the obstruction itself, but the extremely difficult to see guy wires supporting the structure, illustrating the importance of installing high-visibility guy wire sleeves or spherical ball markers.

 

“These startling figures show the risk of tower accidents cuts across all segments of aviation, and the proper marking and logging of these obstructions must be undertaken with the utmost seriousness” [NAAA Executive Director Andrew] Moore said. 

The press release gave the example of North Dakota farmer and aerial applicator Brian Rau marking and logging a 96-foot-tall RTK tower on his property. Short for “real time kinematic,” RTK towers supplement the GPS systems of automated ground-based farm equipment. As an aerial applicator, Rau knows the importance of having such towers both marked and logged into appropriate FAA databases, regardless of legal requirements. He added florescent ball markers within the structure’s skeleton soon after it was converted from a communications tower to an RTK tower. This year Rau took the additional step of providing the coordinates of his tower to the FAA’s Obstacle Data Team for inclusion in the Daily Digital Obstacle File, an existing database where towers under 200 feet can be logged voluntarily. 

 

“Seeing the growth of communication towers in North Dakota and across the county, I knew it was important to both mark and properly log the tower,” Rau said. “Submitting the tower to be included in the FAA’s Daily Digital Obstacle File only took minutes and was well worth a few moments of my time.”

 

Landowners and farmers may submit an obstruction to the FAA’s Daily Digital Obstacle File by emailing the tower’s height and coordinates and any existing markings to 9-AJV-532-OBSTData-REQ@faa.gov. Information on the tower’s owner or property owner is not asked for or publicly given.

 

The press release has so far been published by Ag Air Update and Vertical Magazine.

 

You can read the full press release here.

Video: NAAA Cohosts Modern Agriculture and Sustainability Demo Day for EPA, USDA and Congressional Officials

Last month, NAAA again teamed with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and several other agribusiness organizations to cohost a field day to educate staff from the USDA, EPA and congressional offices on modern agriculture and sustainability.

 

The video below shows highlights from the day at Bunker Hill Farm in Newburg, Md., including an aerial liquid application demonstration by Helicopter Applicators Inc. (HAI) pilot Ben Miller from Gettysburg, Pa. Miller sprayed water from a military surplus Bell OH-58 at a rate of 10 to 15 gallons an acre. For many of those in attendance, this was the first time they had ever seen an aerial spray demonstration. 

 

The video includes an interview with NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore as well as interviews with representatives from AEM, John Deere, The American Seed Trade Association and Bunker Hill Farm owner Chip Bowling. 

 

NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Registration Now Open

We look forward to seeing you at the 2019 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo in Orlando, Nov. 18-21 You can now register online for the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo. Attendee registration is now open!  If you’re an ag pilot with less than five years of experience or you’re interested in becoming an ag pilot, we are offering a special price to attend the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo for pilots with less than five years of experience. Click here for further details.

We are continually updating the schedule of events for this year’s convention and we are excited to announce a few of our exciting events scheduled for this December:

• Kickoff Breakfast speaker Sean D. Tucker, champion aerobatic aviator
• General Session – Aerial Imaging Diversification for your Business & Trends in Global Crop Protection Products.  The 2019 General Session will explore the future of the aerial application industry by examining trends in the global crop protection product industry and across agriculture. After that big-picture assessment of the global marketplace in the first half of the session, NAAA will take a closer look at aerial imaging as a diversification option for aerial applicators.
• NAAA Trade Show – featuring five aircraft and an expected 150+ exhibitors. Floor plan will be available in mid-July.
• Aerial Application Research Technology Session and more than a dozen educational sessions where you can earn potential CEUs(additional details will be posted as they become available and CEUs will be available this Fall)
• Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet honoring individuals and companies in the aerial application industry. Award Nominations due by July 10.

Additional details for the 2019 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo

• Dates: Nov. 18–21, 2019 (NOTE THE NOVEMBER DATES)
• Location: Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL
• Schedule of Events: Current schedule here. Subject to change.
• Attendee Registration: Opens July 1 
• Exhibitor Booth Sales: Aircraft, Diamond sponsors and large booth space requests (island or 10x30+)  are now open. Booth sales open July 11 for 10x10 and 10x20 spaces. Email Lindsay if you’d like a large booth space.
• 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. Click here for donation details. 
  
• Sponsorship Opportunities: View sponsorship opportunities here.

Hotel Details

• Rate: $139/night + taxes (no resort fee and includes basic internet access in your room and complimentary fitness center access)
• Reservations: Book online here or call (866) 996-6338 and refer to NAAA convention. All reservations are two double beds. If you'd like a king room, please state that when calling or in the comments section when making the reservation online. 
• Hotel Block Cut-off Date: Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. ET
• Hotel Address:  9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819 | Hotel Phone: (866) 996-9939 | Reservations: (866) 996-6338
• Cancellation & One Night's Charge Policy: Cancellation required by 4 p.m. at least five (5) days prior to arrival to avoid a charge of one night’s room + tax. All reservations are required to be guaranteed with a valid credit card. Please be advised that five days prior to your arrival, an authorization equivalent to one night's room + tax charge will be processed on your card. Authorizations on a debit card will place a hold on funds within your bank account at the time of authorization. 
• Check In & Out: Check in is 3 p.m. and check out is 11 a.m.
• Parking: Daily self-parking is $18; valet is $26.
• Universal Orlando Hotel Partner, where guests enjoy complimentary scheduled daily transportation from the hotel to and from Universal Orlando Resort exciting theme parks and to SeaWorld® Orlando and Aquatica. Contact the hotel directly for further details at (866) 996-9939

Attendee registration is now open! Register today for the Ag Aviation Expo!

Last Week to Submit 2019 NAAA Award Nominations!

The NAAA Awards Committee has moved the 2019 awards nomination deadline up to July 10 to adjust for the 2019 Ag Aviation Expo’s earlier pre-Thanksgiving dates this year. The 2019 NAAA Award recipients will be honored Nov. 21 at the Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet, but the committee depends on readers like you to nominate worthwhile candidates.

 

The aerial application industry is filled with exceptional people who go above and beyond the call of duty, often with little fanfare. Please help us identify these unsung heroes, and do it before you get into the thick of your season. There are nine NAAA Award categories and one NAAREF Award. Anyone can submit a nomination, but nominees must be members of NAAA.

 

The 2019 Awards Nomination Form is available as print-only and fillable PDFs at AgAviation.org/awards.

NAAA Award Categories

Agrinaut Award: Honors an 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 an NAAA member or staff and/or an allied industry individual who has significantly contributed their efforts for the benefit of the allied industry and the aerial application industry. (Presented by the NAAA Allied Industry Committee)

 

Delta Air Lines “Puffer” Award: Recognizes an 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. (Presented by NAAREF)

 

John Robert Horne Memorial Award: Honors a pilot with five or fewer years of experience in the agricultural aviation industry who 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.

 

Opal & Bill Binnion Memorial Award: Acknowledges those who contribute to NAAA in its efforts to educate the public about aerial application. (Presented by the NAAA Support Committee)

 

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 or her company.

 

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

 

To make a nomination, send completed entries by July 10 to NAAA at (202) 546-5726 (fax) or information@agaviation.org.

We Love Our Members! Check Out All Your Support Has Helped Us Accomplish

Renewals are now open and we’d like to remind you of just a few new offerings NAAA has recently released such as:

• NAAA is now offering legal services on Federal Transpiration Laws to Operator and Pilot Members
• Receive the 2019 NAAA Operator and Pilot Survey Report which is chockful of key statistics providing a healthy status of the U.S. aerial application industry. 
• The legendary Sean D. Tucker will be speaking at the Ag Aviation Expo in Orlando, Nov. 18-21, 2019. It's four days packed full of educational sessions where you can earn CEU's. Registration opens July1!
• Our 2019 NAAA Membership Directory has been mailed out. It’s your one-stop shop where you can find members and allied services in the industry.
• Stay up to date on the latest issues affecting your profession through the NAAA eNewsletter, Agricultural Aviation magazine and exclusive member resources online such as our Media Relations Kit.
• Don’t forget to take advantage of financial incentives such as our Operation S.A.F.E. Rebate Program and our Recruitment Rewards Program.
  

NAAA Sends Proposed Bylaw Amendments to Voting Members

NAAA sent a mailing out to its voting members this week informing them of proposed amendments to its Bylaws that the Board approved for voting member consideration at the spring meeting held in February.  The proposed amendments have been designed to better clarify and streamline the association’s governance. The proposals also develop membership categories and oversight committees to best represent the modern aerial application industry, including specifying the inclusion of firefighters, public health applicators and aerial foresters, in addition to including a category for those conducting aerial imaging missions.

 

The changes, if approved, will augment membership and resources directed to the association to better provide the industry with policy advocacy, public relations, education, communication and networking services. Later this summer NAAA voting members will receive an electronic ballot via email to go to a secure website to vote on these proposals.

 

Before voting, however, notice must be given to the membership of these proposed changes as called for under Article XI AMENDMENTS–Section 1 of NAAA’s Bylaws, which states a “mailing with the proposed amendments [must be provided] to each voting member at least thirty (30) days before voting commences.” Once NAAA voting members receive notice via email of the electronic solicitation for votes by ballot on the proposed amendments, the time for voting members to cast their votes will be thirty (30) days. For an amendment to be considered approved, the number of ballots returned must equal or exceed the number of voting members that would be required to establish a quorum, and at least a majority of those voting members casting a ballot must vote in favor of the amendments. NAAA will keep members posted as to when the voting will begin.

NAAA to Exhibit at AirVenture 2019 with Air Tractor, Thrush, AgAir Update & AG-NAV

After three successful appearances at EAA’s AirVenture in 2016, 2017 and 2018, NAAA will once again exhibit at AirVenture this year in Oshkosh, Wis., July 22–28. NAAA has partnered with Air Tractor, Thrush Aircraft, AG-NAV and AgAir Update for this year’s exhibit. Both Air Tractor and Thrush will be providing aircraft for the booth and AG-NAV will exhibit its navigation system and accessories. NAAA staff and volunteers will be on hand throughout the week to speak with attendees who want to learn more about ag aviation.  

AirVenture Oshkosh, which is organized by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) each summer at Wittman Regional Airport, is a weeklong celebration of aviation. Nearly 10,000 aircraft will be on display while more than 800 exhibitors, 1,000 forums and workshops, 4,800 volunteers and more than 600,000 visitors are expected this year.

 

NAAA exhibits at AirVenture to bring more awareness to careers in the aerial application industry because the weeklong show is flooded with aviation enthusiasts, military personnel and young aviators looking for new opportunities. AirVenture is one of the largest airshows in the United States, and NAAA’s presence will help our industry recruit potential ag pilots. NAAA is also adding awareness by hosting an AirVenture Forum July 22, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. in Workshop Classroom A, where we’ll be discussing the industry and how to become an ag pilot in further detail.

Moreover, it’s a wonderful way to educate adults and children about the importance of our industry in producing a safe, affordable and abundant supply of food, fiber and biofuel, in addition to protecting forestry and controlling health-threatening pests. The representation by our industry at AirVenture is a move in the right direction to bring positive awareness about aerial application to the general public.

July is a very busy time of year for ag pilots; however, we know some operators and pilots visit AirVenture and some even exhibit their own aircraft. There are also many NAAA Allied members who exhibit each year, and we encourage you to visit with them if you are onsite. If you’ll be at AirVenture, visit us in Booths 446, 457 and 458 in the main aircraft display area near the traffic control tower. If you’ll be exhibiting your aircraft, let us know where you’ll be!
 

Are you looking for a way to spread the good word of aerial application and share our industry with your community? Check out NAAA’s brochure that talks about the positives of aerial application, “Flying for Your Food.” And don’t forget to use NAAA’s Media Relations Kit when speaking on behalf of the industry.

 

Stay tuned to the AirVenture excitement on NAAA’s Facebook and Twitter pages for updates and to view photos while NAAA staff are onsite at AirVenture.

Summer Sale: Get Free Shipping on NAAA’s Online Store with Promo Code FREESHIP

Stay cool this summer with some NAAA gear. We’re sliding into summer with a bang and offering members FREE SHIPPING on every item online. Use promo code FREESHIP at checkout for summer savings. Sizes and quantities are limited so hurry and take advantage of this offer. Show your pride and support NAAA by going online today at Shop.AgAviation.org and purchase your NAAA merchandise.

 

 

$20K in Scholarship Aid Available for Aspiring Ag Pilots

How does $5,000 sound to help someone pursue their dream of becoming a professional ag pilot? Thanks to the generous support of BASF and Thrush Aircraft, $20,000 in aid is available under the 2019 NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship Program to assist four aspiring ag pilots in their journey.

 

NAAA awarded $5,000 scholarships to four aspiring ag pilots at the 2018 Ag Aviation Expo. From L–R, NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship recipients Parker Gore, Walter Meise, Will Souther and Emory Lobley, with Thrush Aircraft VP of Sales Eric Rojek and BASF’s John Sabatka, respectively. BASF and Thrush co-sponsor NAAA’s pilot training scholarship.

The goal of NAAA’s “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship Program is to strengthen the aerial application industry by helping operator members bring new pilots into the profession and help fund their training. Applicants must be sponsored by an NAAA Operator member, and scholarship recipients may use the proceeds for flight training or aviation or ag-related coursework at a university, college, community college or other institution of higher learning. A stipend for a trainee in an NAAA Operator-sponsored apprentice program is also permissible. The scholarship program is administered by NAAA and funded by educational grants provided by BASF and Thrush.

 

This year, NAAA will award up to four scholarships valued at $5,000 each. This is a win-win for NAAA Operator members and individuals seeking training funds to support their pursuit of becoming a professional ag pilot.

How to Apply

To be considered for the 2019 scholarship, along with completing the two-part application, every applicant must submit:

• A letter of recommendation from the NAAA Operator member sponsoring the applicant.
• An essay of 250 words or less explaining why you want to pursue a career in agricultural aviation and how you would use NAAA’s “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship to further your education and training.
• A one-page résumé or list of activities detailing all agricultural and aviation experiences, education and training.

NAAA will award the recipients of the 2019 “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarships in November at the Ag Aviation Expo in Orlando. Last year NAAA awarded $5,000 scholarships to four young individuals who represent the future of ag aviation: Parker Gore of Cleveland, Miss.; Emory Lobley of Dalhart, Texas; Walter Meise of Moses Lake, Wash.; and Will Souther of Douglas, Ga.

 

To learn more about the 2019 NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship, please review the instructions included with the 2019 application. Please contact NAAA at (202) 546-5722 or information@agaviation.org for clarification about any of the application requirements.

 

While the applicant must be sponsored by an NAAA Operator member, NAAA membership is not a prerequisite for the person applying for the scholarship. Becoming an NAAA Associate member, however, is a great way for candidates to learn more about the industry and augment their training.

 

The deadline to apply for a 2019 “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship is Aug. 31.