Another Environmental Benefit of Aerial Application: Plastic Recycling—56,000,000 lbs. Worth!

 

 

The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) recently announced that their contractors collected the 200 millionth pound  (200,000,000) of high density polyethylene (HDPE) since the program was started in 1992.  The first 100 million pound milestone was accomplished in 2008 after 16 years of collection.  This second 100 million pound milestone was accomplished in only 11 years. Based on the current pace of collection the next 100 million pound milestone is expected to occur in less than 7 years. 

 

Our nation’s aerial applicators can take pride in this accomplishment in that they are major partners with ACRC contractors in recycling their HDPE pesticide containers.  Aerial applicators treat 28% of our nation’s commercial cropland according to NAAA’s 2019 Aerial Application Industry Survey.  This does not include pasture and rangeland, forestry, aquatic, public health, right away and other vegetative management applications done by air.  Using this percentage of 28%, aerial applicators are responsible for helping to recycle 56 million pounds of HDPE in the past decade and a half. 

 

To put it in perspective of what 200 million pounds is equivalent to, 2.5 gallon jugs laid end to end would circle the earth almost 2.3 times and would, similarly, they make enough 6” ag drain pipe to cover the same distance; recycling that much plastic is an energy-savings equivalent to 43,019,361 gallons of gasoline; and recycling that much plastic is equivalent to the energy consumption of 57,518 average American houses for a year. End-uses of this recycled HDPE is used for the following:

• Agriculture drain pipe
• Highway sign posts
• Highway and agricultural fence posts
• Underground utility conduit
• Wire and cable spool (reel) flanges
• Agrochemical composite IBC platforms
• Industrial pallets for ag chemical and seed packaging
• Rebar chairs
• Landscape edging
• Nursery Pots

If you would like more information about recycling pesticide containers visit the Ag Container Recycling Council at http://www.acrecycle.org, or information@acrecycle.org or call at (877) 952-2272. ACRC is also longtime exhibitor at the Ag Aviation Expo.  Visit them in Orlando, Florida November 18-21^st at booth number 711.

Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Fiscal 2020 Bill with Aerial Research Support Language

Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a fiscal year 2020 funding bill for the Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill by a vote of 31-0.

 

The bill provides $3.172 billion for agricultural research, $72 million above fiscal year 2019 levels. NAAA again successfully pushed for language in the committee report to the bill indicating Congress’s continued support of the USDA-ARS Aerial Application Technology Program. The committee report to the bill reads, in part:

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.

The mention of aerial application within the report supporting the legislation is no small feat, as it is one of only a few ag programs specifically mentioned. Due to partisan divisiveness in the House of Representatives’ companion bill, no reference to aerial application of numerous other ARS research programs was listed in their report, however, in the past when situations like this occur both reports are combined of supporting programs when reconciled.  This will likely be the case again this year, nevertheless 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. Favorable committee report language sends a strong message to the USDA to continue to sustain appropriate funding for aerial application research despite the budget cuts. Since 2002 NAAA has been successful in lobbying the government for an additional $10,112,500 for federal funding for aerial application technology research.

 

The discretionary funding in the bill totals $23.1 billion, $58 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. The Senate bill still need to be reconciled with the House agriculture appropriations bill, which set spending levels at $24.3 billion for the 2020 fiscal year.

 

The deadline for fiscal 2020 spending bills to be signed by President Trump is Sept. 30. However, with such a tight deadline the House passed a stopgap funding bill on Monday to continue funding the government through Nov. 21. The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation today and President Trump indicated he intends to sign short-term funding measure, giving the House and Senate more time to work out the differences in their specific funding bills.

Aerial Applicators Try to Get High: NAAA Comments on Aerial Use of Hemp Products

When the 2018 Farm Bill passed, hemp, defined therein as the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis, was removed from the Controlled Substances Act. As a result, interest in hemp production has increased, along with the need to make pesticides available for the hemp industry.

 

The EPA recently received applications to add hemp as a new use to the labeling for 10 currently registered pesticide products. The EPA provided notice that it had received these applications and subsequently provided an opportunity for public comment on adding hemp to the labels. The only changes to the labeling for these products will be the addition of hemp. NAAA commented on the proposal. Our comments can be found here.

 

NAAA reviewed the 10 products that have requested to add hemp as a use and found that seven of them had labels that allowed for aerial application, while the remaining three did not. NAAA submitted comments to the EPA that reminded the agency of the many benefits of aerial application and importance of allowing hemp growers to take advantage of those benefits. The comments iterated the importance of maintaining aerial application on the label for the seven products that allowed it when hemp is added as a new use.

 

NAAA further suggested that aerial application be added to the labels for the three other products. NAAA pointed out one of the three products has an active ingredient that is also in one of the seven products that do allow aerial application, and that if aerial application is safe for one product, it should be for another with the same active ingredient. For the two remaining products, NAAA pointed out that both listed extracts from plants as their active ingredients; one had oil extracts from several edible plants, and the other an extract from a plant the EPA had determined had no adverse effects to humans or the environment.

 

NAAA will continue to monitor for opportunities to comment to the EPA to ensure aerial use of products that aerial applicator customers need in order to control insects, diseases, weeds and other pests.

It’s that Time Again: Renew Your Membership Today!

 

 

Renewals are now open! You will soon receive your renewal form in the mail, but there is no need to wait! You can renew online today. As a member of NAAA, you associate with the best and brightest in the agricultural aviation industry and your support is imperative in helping us accomplish our initiatives. 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 4 days packed full of educational sessions where you can earn CEU's.Register today!
  
• Be listed in an receive the NAAA Membership Directory. 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.
  

Remotely Piloted Aerial Application Vehicles and Systems Workshop Conducted by ARS in Orlando Directly Prior to NAAA Expo

If you are interested in unmanned aircraft systems and the concept of unmanned aerial application systems, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in conjunction with USDA, will be holding a workshop that will focus on these new technologies.  This workshop, scheduled for Saturday, November 16, will be convened in Orlando, FL at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, and is being held in coordination with the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) Annual Ag Aviation Expo.

 

This upcoming workshop, tentatively entitled “Advancements in Remotely Piloted Aerial Application Vehicles and Systems”, is the second workshop to focus on these new technologies in the U.S., and is being planned and delivered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in partnership with the USDA ARS Aerial Application Technology Research Unit located in College Station, Texas.  The inaugural workshop on unmanned aerial application systems was held November 7-9, 2018 in College Station, and included experts from diverse backgrounds, with an agenda to inform advancement of unmanned aerial application systems from regulatory, legal, technical, standards, economic, research and education perspectives.

 

Attendees at this workshop will engage in an opportunity to learn about state-of-the-art RPAAVS systems and contribute to the continuing advancement of these emerging technologies.  In addition, those that elect to stay in Orlando for a few extra days for the National Agricultural Aviation Association Ag Aviation Expo, will learn about opportunities in manned aerial application, and the possible synergies between remotely piloted and manned aerial application systems.

 

If you have an interest in this topic from an agricultural, or public health perspective, please consider marking your calendar to attend the workshop.  Please visit the following link to register:  https://www.regonline.com/rpaas

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either Wayne Woldt (wwoldt1@unl.edu), or Dan Martin (Dan.Martin@usda.gov).

Many Auction Items up for Bid at Ag Aviation Expo; Register Today!

NAAA thanks the many companies that support ag pilots and their operations, as well as the industry, through donating items for the Live and Silent Auctions at the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo. The money raised from these items supports NAAA programs.

 

Join us for the Live Auction & Reception on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Rosen Shingle Creek on the NAAA Trade Show floor. All are welcome to enjoy the auction and food and beverages sponsored by Syngenta. The Silent Auction, in booth #1307, will be open on the NAAA Trade Show floor during Trade Show hours and until 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Bid early and often on the text bidding system; further details will be available in October! Click here for a full list of auction donations and supporting companies.

 

A few of the great items up for bid include:

• Brand new PT6A-34AG turboprop engine donated by Pratt & Whitney Canada
• $15,000 Gift Certificate donated by Covington Aircraft Engines
• 2-Day Turbine Transition Course (or) 2-Day Initial or Recurrent Air Tractor Course donated by Turbine Training Center
• Antique Belgium Double Barrel Muzzle Loader Shotgun donated by Tennessee Aircraft Co., Inc.
• Single Point Fueling System donated by Turbine Conversions, Ltd.

If you have an item to donate, please click here for further details or contact Lindsay Barber.

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: Now Open Pre-registration closes Oct. 18
  
• Exhibitor Booth Sales: Now Open
• Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a PT6-34AG engine to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. Please consider donating 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 (room block is now 95% full) 
• 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

 

Beware of Fraudulent Company Trying to Sell you Ag Aviation Lists

NAAA received notification that an independent third party company is contacting our NAAA members to sell lists of attendees for the Ag Aviation Expo. This company is not affiliated with NAAA and this is a company that is scamming people.

 

Please remember that no one from (or on behalf of) NAAA, Rosen Shingle Creek or T3 Expo will contact you (phone, email, etc.) to purchase lists, book travel or hotel rooms or book exhibitor services. NAAA recommends that you only rely on information provided on the NAAA website or in NAAA publications to book anything related to the Ag Aviation Expo. If you’re unsure of an email or call that you receive, email naaaexpo@agaviation.org.

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: Now Open Pre-registration closes Oct. 18
  
• Exhibitor Booth Sales: Now Open
• Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a PT6-34AG engine to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. Please consider donating 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 (room block is now 95% full) 
• 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

Putter Over to NAAA Expo NAAREF Fundraiser, It’s a Hole Lot of Fun

Help us raise money for NAAREF and PAASS by wearing your loudest golf pants and participating in Putting for PAASS, a fundraiser for the ag aviation industry’s premier educational safety program. This fundraising putting event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 6 - 9:30 p.m. at Rosen Shingle Creek.

 

Registration is now open and is required; the minimum donation is $110 per person. Each person must register separately and your team can have four people! Have fun with your friends during our nine-hole scramble. This event is fun no matter your skill set, whether you’re an avid golfer, a miniature-golfer or you’ve never held a putter! When registering, you’ll choose the tee time block of 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 or 8:30. We will open a 9 p.m. slot if the other time slots are full of golfers. During each tee time block, nine teams (four people each) will compete and you’ll have 30 minutes to finish the nine holes. If there are ties, there will be a sudden death hole(s) at the end of the tournament.

 

Each of the four people on the winning team will receive $100 gift certificates to purchase merchandise at the 2019 NAAA Support Fundraising booth on the NAAA Trade Show floor on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Help us raise funds to continue the highly regarded PAASS Program, working to reduce the number of aviation accidents and drift incidents each year.

Pre-Register for the Ag Aviation Expo to Avoid Long Lines Onsite; CEUs Available

We look forward to seeing you at the 2019 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo in Orlando, Nov. 18-21. Our room block is nearly 100% full; thank you for booking your hotel room. Now, register for the Ag Aviation Expo online or print and mail a registration form. Pre-registration ends on Oct. 18 and allows you to save $50 per person! 

 

Many states have sent in CEU opportunities for the Ag Aviation Expo. Review the list of CEUs and check back often as we will continue receiving CEU approvals between now and the convention.

 

We are continually updating the schedule of events for this year’s convention. Below are some must attend events at the 2019 Ag Aviation Expo:

• 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.
• Aerial Application Research Technology Session and more than a dozen education sessions where you can earn potential CEUs.
  
• Join us on Thursday for the Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet honoring individuals and companies in the aerial application industry. 
• Putting for PAASS for NAAREF/PAASS is a fundraiser for the ag aviation industry’s premier educational safety program. This fundraising event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Rosen Shingle Creek. Registration is required and the donation is $110 per person and four people per team. Food and beverages are not included; a cash bar will be available. Please enjoy dinner at one of the many Rosen Shingle Creek eateries before or after your putting game!
• Pre-and Post- Conference Vacations: If you would like to add a pre- or post-conference stay at Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort, Ag Aviation Expo attendees may contact Pam Townsend, travel agent and owner of Neverland Destinations. With two years as a tour guide at Walt Disney World and five years as a travel agent specializing in Universal and Disney destinations, Pam will help you plan your schedule around the conference using the special rate tickets for conference attendees. She can assist with hotel selection (night of 11/16 or before this date and 11/22 and after the Ag Aviation Expo), dining reservations, Fastpass+ suggestions, and more for a seamless, worry-free, and magical theme park vacation. Please feel free to email her at pam@NeverlandDestinations.com.

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: Now Open Pre-registration closes Oct. 18
  
• Exhibitor Booth Sales: Now Open
• Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a PT6-34AG engine to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. Please consider donating 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 (room block is now 95% full) 
• 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

NAAA and NAAREF Board Meetings Oct. 11-12

We look forward to seeing you in Denver for our October NAAA and NAAREF committee and board meetings. Most meetings take place Oct. 11–12 with a couple of meetings beginning on Oct. 10. PAASS Train the Trainer will take place Oct. 9–10. All meetings are open to NAAA members.

You can view a schedule here. Please email Lindsay Barber if you will plan to attend the meetings.

Location

Grand Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton Street
Denver, CO 80202
Local Phone: (303) 295-1234

Rate: $179/night plus tax (comped WiFi in guest rooms & fitness center access)

 
Reservations: The room block is closed; however the hotel may still have availability. Call: (800) 233-1234 (identify NAAA & NAAREF Board meetings). You can also provide your arrival and departure dates to Lindsay Barber for assistance.

Attended an Operations S.A.F.E. Clinic This Year? Take Advantage of BASF’s Financial Incentives!

It’s not too late to take advantage of BASF’s financial incentives for participating in an Operation S.A.F.E. Fly-in clinic this year (2019).  This is a continuation of a program BASF initiated in 2010 in collaboration with NAAA to provide financial support for participating aerial applicators that can be used toward membership in NAAA or for new spray equipment. The eligibility period for BASF’s incentive program encompasses Operation S.A.F.E. Fly-Ins between Oct. 1, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2019. Submissions must be received by BASF no later than Oct. 15, 2019 and rebates will be issued around December 15.

 

Complete details are specified in the official program rules, but in essence, aerial application operators can earn a $225 incentive to be used to help subsidize either 2019 NAAA operator membership dues or up to $225 of the cost of purchasing new nozzles and/or tips for each eligible aircraft that they pattern test at an Operation S.A.F.E. Fly-In. Pilots participating in an Operation S.A.F.E. Fly-In may be eligible to receive a $170 rebate that would reimburse them for nearly the full cost of their NAAA membership dues.

 

The goals of the Aerial Application Equipment and NAAA Membership Program are to encourage operators and pilots to:

• Pattern test their aircraft at an Operation S.A.F.E. Fly-In
• Provide an incentive to equip eligible aircraft with new nozzles and/or tips
• Encourage membership in NAAA
• Promote aerial application optimization and stewardship

Terms and Conditions

To qualify for BASF’s Aerial Application Equipment and NAAA Membership Program, an operator or pilot must be an NAAA member and be the pilot flying the pattern evaluation. Although it is not necessary to be an NAAA member at the time of the Operation S.A.F.E. calibration clinic, the participant must become an NAAA member before applying for and being granted approval for the rebate. The operator or pilot must also be sure that the Operation S.A.F.E. analyst has the participant’s complete and correct information so that the analyst can provide that information to NAAA for submission to BASF. The operator or pilot must complete the application and send it to BASF to be reimbursed for a portion of the applicator’s 2019 membership dues or submit receipts to receive a rebate for nozzles and/or tips purchased for the aircraft. Submissions must be received by the rebate program’s auditor no later than Oct. 15. Payments will be made on or about Dec. 15, 2019.

 
The Aerial Application Equipment and NAAA Membership Program is part of BASF’s ongoing stewardship efforts for aerial applicators and the safe and proper application of its products. Visit www.plant-health-pilots.com for a variety of resources BASF provides aerial applicators.

 

You can see a list of Operation S.A.F.E. clinics near you here and here. 

Don’t PAASS Up Safety and Have and Accident – Attend the 2019-2020 PAASS Program

 

The 2019-2020 PAAAS Program is ready to help you and the agricultural aviation industry improve safety, application accuracy and professionalism. The following four modules will be given at state and regional agricultural aviation association meetings this fall and winter. Check the NAAA calendar and make sure you plan on attending. The core mission of PAASS is to reduce both ag aviation accidents and drift incidents, and PAASS has proven successful at this task. Accidents have been reduced by 23% since PAASS began. Studies conducted by the American Association of Pest Control Officials show a reduction in drift claims of nearly 26 percent since PAASS started. Many state departments of agriculture offer CEUs for PAASS attendance and many insurance providers offer discounts to PAASS attendees.

Agricultural Aviation’s Airfield Watch

For this year’s Airfield Watch module, an operator will describe a break-in that occurred at his facility. He will review how the perpetrators attempted to gain access to his buildings and equipment in an attempt to steal fuel. He also describes what he’s done since the incident in order to better secure his operation. This has included increasing the security lighting with motion detectors around the buildings with plans to install security cameras at the facility. It is critical to protect agricultural aviation operations from a variety of threats, including vandalism, theft, and the unlikely possibility of terrorist activity.

Human Factors in Agricultural Aviation – “Controlled Flight Into Terrain Accidents”

Controlled Flight Into Terrain, or CFIT, accidents continue to be a concern for agricultural aviation. Over the last 10 years, CFIT accidents have accounted for 29% of all agricultural aviation accidents. During this same time period, 49% of fatal Part 137 accidents have been CFIT accidents. In 2018, a staggering 75% of fatal accidents involved CFIT. CFIT accidents include collisions with the ground, wires, towers, and trees. Participants will hear from several pilots about their CFIT accidents and factors that led to the accident. These included failure to properly scout a field, allowing the pressures of running an operation to cause distraction, and trying to sometimes impress an employer or someone else but perhaps taking on additional risk. CFIT accidents obviously present a dangerous threat to pilots but can also cause harm to the environment as well with the accident potentially resulting in a pesticide spill. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss how to scout fields for obstacles and maintain vigilance throughout the application in order to avoid a CFIT accident.

Environmental Professionalism – “Operation S.A.F.E. Prep Work and Boom Update”

Operation S.A.F.E. fly-in clinics offer aerial applicators the opportunity to have their aircraft’s spray pattern and droplet size evaluated by a trained professional. Many S.A.F.E. fly-ins are quite busy, with multiple aircraft participating. In order to get the most out of attending a fly-in, it is important to prepare your aircraft ahead of time. The Environmental Professionalism module will discuss aircraft preparation, including checking for leaks and aligning nozzles, whether participating in an Operation S.A.F.E. or analyzing your system yourself.  The module will also provide an update on using a shortened boom to reduce drift and the impact of belly nozzles on spray pattern quality.

Hangar AG Flying – “Accident Review, Landing with a Load, and other Topics”

This module will include an analysis of ag accidents that occurred during the 2019 application season. Studying these accidents enables attendees to learn from other pilots’ experiences and increase flying safety. A segment on how to land with a load will review how to accomplish this task as well as how to train for it. Also covered will be an update on FieldWatch and discussion on the risks of pesticides.

2019 Ag Aviation Golf Tournament Oct. 19–20

NAAA members are invited to join your Arkansas brethren for a fun weekend of golf and fellowship Oct. 19–20. The Red Apple Inn and Country Club in Heber Springs, Ark., is hosting the 2019 Ag Aviation Golf Tournament. This year’s proceeds will benefit the Miracle League of Arkansas, a baseball league for children with intellectual and/or physical disabilities.

 

The $150 entry fee covers two rounds of golf, happy hour and dinner at the Red Apple Inn on Saturday evening and a complimentary T-shirt. The tournament starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, with a two-man scramble format. The final round tees off Sunday, Oct. 20, starting at 8:30 a.m. (A dinner-only fee of $35 is available for non-golfers.)

Inn rooms, two-bedroom condos and three-bedroom condos are available at the Red Apple Inn for $135, $215 and $260, respectively. Call the Red Apple Inn at 1-800-733-2775 and use the reservation code “AG AVIATION” to reserve your room.

To register for the Ag Aviation Golf Tournament, complete the registration form and mail a check to:

Brenda Watts

102 Norris Lane

Watson, AR 71674
(please include T-shirt size on the check)

 

The tournament organizers, a small group of Arkansas aerial applicators, decided to donate proceeds from this year’s golf tournament to the Miracle League of Arkansas to help the organization repair its flood-damaged ballfield. On June 7, the Miracle League’s specially equipped ballfield was flooded with water from the overflowing Arkansas River. More than 24,000 tiles were damaged in the flood that must be removed, cleaned, sanitized, repaired, reinstalled and repainted. The nonprofit organization launched the Flood the Field with Love campaign to raise funds to repair the field.

 

For more information, please contact the 2019 Ag Aviation Golf Tournament organizers. Contact information for members of the tournament committee is available here.