March 19, 2020
NAAA eNewsletter

NAAA Working Diligently with Federal and State Governments to Ensure Aerial Application Is Deemed Essential to the Safety and Security of the U.S. Amidst COVID-19 Suspension of Certain Business Activities

NAAA has been in direct communication with officials from the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Vice President Pence and his Coronavirus Task Force explaining that the aerial application industry is an essential service in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, and as such should remain open and unencumbered from the services it provides helping food, fiber and biofuel production and forestry and public health protection. NAAA, as of March 18, was told by the FAA that there had been no discussion of shutting down airspace to Part 137 operations. 

 

Also, as part of a larger coalition of agricultural organizations, and separately, as a member of the Pesticide Policy Coalition—stakeholders involved in pesticide use—NAAA will be joining these coalition partners in sending a joint letter to President Trump and all state governors explicitly requesting that the role the food industry, farmers and farm service providers provide to American consumers is invaluable at this time and should be deemed essential and unencumbered. Communications already sent by NAAA to the Office of the Secretary of USDA, to Vice President Pence’s Coronavirus Task Force Office and to DHS’ Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Agency detailed the vital role aerial applicators play in producing a healthy, affordable and abundant supply of food and fiber and requested it be deemed an essential and operating service during the COVID-19 suspension of many business activities. Specifically, NAAA communicated the following to these government agencies:

Please include the aerial application industry in that list of critical infrastructure that must continue to work during this period.  Our industry treats 28% of the commercial cropland in the United States.  That equates to 127 million acres of cropland that is aerially treated each year to crops used for food, fiber and biofuel.  That does not include millions of acres of forestry, rangeland and pastureland that is also aerially applied with pesticides, fertilizers, and seeds.  Our industry also uses aircraft to fight fires and prevent public health outbreaks carried by disease-carrying mosquitoes and other pests.  After the devastating attacks on our nation by terrorists on September 11, 2001, ground-stops were immediately issued to keep all aircraft grounded.  The aerial application industry was one of the first sectors of aviation allowed back up into the air space due to the important role the industry plays in food, fiber and biofuel protection, and forest and public health protection.

 

According to the NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL’S THE PRIORITIZATION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A PANDEMIC OUTBREAK IN THE UNITED STATES WORKING GROUP FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS, dating back to 2007, aviation section employees are sector essential employees in emergency situations.  This would include pilots, mechanics, ground crew and even office crew.  In the aerial application industry, the large majority, if not all operations are in rural, lightly populated areas.  The average number of employees  per aerial application business is five, including the owner, and nearly 60 percent operate on their own private airport, not public airports so they are isolated from the general population.  In addition, our association has been messaging our industry of the CDC steps to follow to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

 

…  Again, due the emergency nature of food and fiber being readily available as some consumers are hoarding supplies affecting adequate supplies for food and fiber for all, aerial applicators and their critical need must remain open for business and free to aviate to perform their service for farmers, foresters and the public health industry.  Please place them specifically on the essential critical infrastructure list of workers.

NAAA will continue to communicate with all federal and state government officials and agencies necessary to ensure aerial application operations are not disrupted, and will keep the membership aware of this situation and any new developments affecting the industry related to COVID-19.

Schedule Your Airman Medical ASAP In Light of Possible Increase in Medical Demand

The coronavirus continues to have a severe impact on numerous aspects of our nation. One impact that it is expected to increase is the need for many of our fellow citizens to visit a medical facility. The many current restrictions being recommended by the federal and state governments are being done specifically to slow the rate of spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus so as to reduce the amount of people who will need to seek medical care.

 

Given this situation, it is recommended you consider visiting your FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) as soon as you can to address any and all needed medical aviation documentation before the 2020 ag flying season begins in earnest. Should the spread of COVID-19 reach the point where medical facilities begin to get overwhelmed, these facilities may be forced to stop admitting non-essential patients. This could leave someone unable to get their required medical certification and thus not be able to continue flying.

NAAA: Open for Business During COVID Disruption

With the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we find ourselves in a time of uncertainty across the nation and the globe. Please know that NAAA is here to serve and support you! 

 

NAAA staff continues to work during the normal business hours of 8:30 – 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, albeit through a remote office as most staff are working from home. We may not be available to answer the main office phone immediately, but our voicemail system will direct you to the staff person you're trying to reach. If you don't reach them immediately, please leave a message and we'll get right back to you.  You can also email information@agaviation.org and someone will be back in touch with you.

 

As you know, COVID-19 is highly contagious. NAAA strongly suggests developing a set of precautions at your operation. In addition to washing your hands regularly, continually wipe down the inside of your aircraft/helicopter before and after use, office equipment, desks, phones, computers, any handles, etc. For further information on COVID-19 and how to protect your business and family, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.

 

All NAAA programming continues to proceed as is. We are still planning for our Oct. 8‒ 10, 2020, Board Meeting in Knoxville, Tenn., and our 2020 Ag Aviation Expo Dec. 7‒10 in Savannah. Our eNewsletter, Fly Safe Messages, Agricultural Aviation magazine and 2020 NAAA Membership Directory should see no disruption at this time and we continue to be active on social media. 

 

NAAA has been serving the aerial application industry for 54 years and we'll continue to do so. We understand that some people are experiencing an uneasiness during these uncertain times. That is understandable. Yet, always remember, we all are strong when we operate from that part of our essence that is good, positive and courageous. It is in everyone's core. And it is at this time when we must and will operate from that place, endure and be stronger from it.

Request for Information: FAA Seeks Manned Aviator Input on UAS Remote Identification

The FAA has put out a Request for Information (RFI) to the manned aviation community regarding how they can potentially receive and use UAS remote tracking ID information to further enhance safety by reducing collision risks at low altitudes. Responses to the RFI are due to the FAA on April 16. 

 

NAAA submitted comments to the FAA on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the tracking and ID of UAVs. This RFI is separate from the NPRM and responses will not be recorded in the NPRM’s official docket.

 

We highly encourage NAAA members to participate in this RFI to ensure the FAA makes UAS tracking and ID regulations effective by fully understanding the cockpit workloads and work environment of ag aviators.

 

 If you chose to participate, please email your responses to the questions below to Kristin.T.Frantz@faa.gov by 3 p.m. ET on April 16, 2020. Responses are not to exceed five pages.

 

Here are additional resources to help you more fully answer the RFI:

RFI Topics and Questions

 

1. Describe your role in any recent aviation standards, policy, or demonstration activities within the commercial or government arena.

 

2. In consideration of the requirements of the NPRM (for standard and limited Remote ID UAS), describe your concept for how low level manned aircraft can receive or use UAS Remote ID information to increase safety, relative (but not limited) to the following:

a. minimize risk of collisions

 

b. verify UAS sightings

 

c. for Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA), verify that airspace is clear enroute and at possible landing zones 

 

d. for aerial applicators, verify that agriculture fields are clear of UAS activity

 

e. verify that airfields are clear of UAS activity

3. Describe your approach to the challenge of gaining widespread voluntary participation by manned aircraft.

 

4. How can government and industry work together with respect to the low altitude manned aviator needs associated with Remote ID?

 

5. What additional technical standards, procedures, avionics or other capabilities are needed to facilitate manned aircraft voluntary participation with Remote ID information?

 

6. From a performance perspective, what are the UAS Remote ID participation pros and cons?

 

7.  From a scalability perspective, what are the UAS Remote ID participation pros and cons? 

 

8. How might Remote ID data be integrated with ADS-B and other surveillance sources for greater air traffic awareness? 

 

9. How could Remote ID be used by low level manned aircraft to support public safety, law enforcement, and security related air operations?

 

10. What, if any, costs or cost savings do you foresee for the concept you describe?

FAA Adopts New AD for Robinson R44 and R44 II Helicopters Equipped with Simplex Model 244 Spray System

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters that have a Simplex Manufacturing Company’s Model 244 spray system installed on them by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR00286BO. The AD will become effective April 16 and applies to Simplex Model 244 spray systems with serial numbers 0045 through 0178. Early models have a metal flanged fitting that is not affected by the AD. The AD can be seen here.

 

The AD was prompted by several reports of in-flight failures of an elbow pump fitting. This failure can cause uncontrolled discharge of spray from the pump output port, which is in direct alignment with the engine air intake. This can lead to the engine ingesting spray which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown.

 

The AD requires that before each flight the spray system pump fitting should be visually inspected for signs of stress, fatigue, cracking and evidence of leaking by following Simplex Alert Service Bulletin ASB2017-001. Within three months, or before further flight if any stress, fatigue, cracking or leaking is found, the pumping fitting should be replaced with an updated part according to Simplex Service Letter SL2017-017, Revision B, dated March 14, 2018. A pump outlet cover must also be installed at this same time according to Simplex Service Letter SL2017-030, Initial Release, dated March 12, 2018. The spray system must then be pressurized and visually inspected to verify the new fitting is functioning correctly and there are no signs of stress, cracking, fatigue or leaking.

National Ag Day Event in Washington Cancelled Due to COVID-19

In order to protect public health by limiting large gatherings to stop the spread of COVID-19, the event “A Celebration of Agriculture on the National Mall,” scheduled to take place March 24 and 25 in Washington, has been cancelled.

 

NAAA had teamed up with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and several other agribusiness organizations to cohost the event to educate Congress, USDA, and the EPA on modern agriculture and sustainability and planned to exhibit a spray helicopter just blocks away from the White House and the U.S. Capitol.

 

NAAA sends a very special thank you to Glenn Martin and his staff at Helicopter Applicators Inc. (HAI) from Gettysburg, Pa., who volunteered their time and equipment for the event. HAI has generously provided helicopters and other aerial application equipment for similar events in the past, giving aerial demonstrations for hundreds of regulators who would have otherwise never experienced, firsthand, the many benefits provided by the aerial application industry.

 

A video featuring highlights from last year’s demonstration day, which took place in Newburg, Md., can be viewed here.

Support the Ag Aviation Expo with an Auction Donation

We’re still several months away from the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah, Dec. 7-9, but it’s not too early to donate an item for the Live and Silent Auction. Help us make this year’s auction a raging success and use it as a way to spotlight your company to the aerial application industry!! Companies that donate to the NAAA auctions have an opportunity to get their company name, brand and positive image in front of 1,600 attendees! The Live and Silent auctions support NAAA programs and services to aerial applicators. 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!

 

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. A few final determinations are made onsite once all the offerings have been inventoried. Please include the value of your item.

 

Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for already committing to donating yet another PT6-34AG engine to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. We appreciate their continued support and generosity to NAAA and the aerial application industry. NAAA appreciates the generosity of every company and person who donates an auction item to our Live and Silent auctions.

 

The 2020 Ag Aviation Expo features the premiere trade show for agricultural aviation, great networking opportunities and a great lineup of speakers and events! It doesn't matter if you're a veteran operator, a fledging ag pilot, or an allied supplier to the ag aviation industry, you won't find a better venue than NAAA's Ag Aviation Expo to help you achieve your professional goals and business objectives.

 

 

Save the Date for the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo

  • Dates: Dec. 7-10, 2020
  • Location: Savannah 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: Opens July 1
  • Exhibitor Booth Sales: Large booth sales and Diamond sponsorship booth sales begin in March; this includes aircraft, islands and 10’x30'. 10'x10' and 10'x20' booth sales open on Thursday, July 9. Please email Lindsay if you’d like to be contacted regarding large booth space.
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsorships are now available. View the opportunities online. Please email Lindsay if you would like to secure a sponsorship from last year or would like to be contacted about 2020 opportunities! We have sponsorships available for all budget sizes.
  • 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, we are already accepting donations 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.

Book Your Hotel Room

The 2020 NAAA hotel room block is coordinated through Visit Savannah, which is 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). All room blocks close Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. ET.

  • Westin Savannah Harbor: $150/night + taxes
    • Westin Cancellation: For each reservation cancelled after Oct. 30, 2020, a nonrefundable one night room + 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 + taxes.
  • Hyatt Regency Savannah: $148/night + taxes
  • Savannah Marriott Riverfront: $142/night + taxes

All room rates above are single/double occupancy and do not include taxes.

Book your room today by clicking here, call the housing bureau at (912) 644-6465 or email reservations@visitsavannah.com. Please note reservations are taken over the phone Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. If you cannot call during those hours, please email your reservations details or book your room online here.

Complimentary Transportation & River Taxis

Getting across the river is quick and easy thanks to the free ferry service that will shuttle attendees back and forth throughout the day and evening. The Savannah Belles Ferry provides water transportation from the Hyatt and the Marriott to the convention center and Westin hotel. The trip takes five to 10 minutes, and ferry service will be continual during convention hours; schedule will be available onsite. Free shuttle bus service is also available for those who are not comfortable on the water.

NAAHOF Accepting Nominations for 2021 Induction into Hall of Fame

The National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame (NAAHOF) Nomination Board has changed its procedure for evaluating candidates for induction into the NAA Hall of Fame. Under the policy change, the Nominations Board will consider individuals one year before their induction to allow more time to deliberate on NAAHOF nominees’ credentials. NAAHOF has updated its nomination form accordingly and is accepting nominations for people who would be inducted in 2021. Nominations to be considered for induction into NAAHOF in 2021 are by due Sept. 1, 2020. The 2021 NAAHOF Candidate Nomination Form is available here.

 

The National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame is located in the National Agricultural Aviation (NAA) Museum in Jackson, Mississippi. The purpose of the NAA Museum is to educate the general public about the contributions of the agricultural aviation industry. Induction into the NAA Hall of Fame is the highest honor that can be paid to agricultural aviation achievers. The Hall of Fame honors agricultural aviation leaders, pilots, operators, scientists, engineers, inventors and other individuals who have helped promote the agricultural aviation industry with their outstanding contributions.

 

The National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame is not affiliated with NAAA, but new members are inducted at the Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet at NAAA’s convention. Previous inductees include such industry-shaping individuals as Lt. John A. Macready, Dick Reade, Fred Ayres and Leland Snow. A complete list of enshrined members into the NAA Hall of Fame is available on NAAA’s Industry Links webpage.

Eligibility for NAAHOF Enshrinement

  1. All nominations must be documented. All information that has to do with the reasons/accomplishments of the nominee must accompany the written/typed nomination letter. The utmost attention should be paid to all accomplishments of the nominee.
  2. A nominee must have made a significant contribution to the agricultural aviation industry in the United States. Accomplishments must be national in scope.
  3. Any person currently sitting on this Nominations Board is automatically ineligible for consideration for enshrinement to the NAAHOF until such time as they are no longer an active part of the governing process of this institution.
  4. Any person nominated for enshrinement must not have anything in their past which will reflect in a negative manner upon the agricultural aviation industry.

The NAAHOF Nomination Board is chaired by Brian Rau. NAAHOF nominations may be sent directly to the chairman at:

Brian Rau

4142 57th Avenue SE

Medina, ND 58467

medinaflying@aol.com

For more information, please contact Brian Rau at (701) 486-3414 or medinaflying@aol.com.

Want to Win Thousands in Educational Scholarships? Enter Our Support Scholarship Contest!

Attention, higher-education students: Don’t miss out on the opportunity to compete for a combined $3,000 in educational scholarships. The deadline for the 2020 Support Scholarship Media Contest is Sept. 15. The NAAA Support Committee will award a $2,000 scholarship as top prize and Covington Aircraft Engines has generously agreed to sponsor a $1,000 scholarship.

 

The theme for this year’s contest is “Why is Agricultural Aviation Important?”  The scholarship is not restricted to pursuing a “flying career.” Any educational pursuit beyond high school (at any age) is eligible. The competition is open to anyone sponsored by an NAAA member. Previous winners are not eligible to compete.

 

Entrants must be a senior in high school or be registered in higher education by the fall semester of 2020. Submissions must be an essay of at least 1,500 words or a 5-minute multi-media presentation. Submissions should be sent as an email attachment by Sept. 15 to information@agaviation.org. More information about eligibility requirements, contest guidelines and sample essays from past scholarship recipients are available here.

NAAA’s ‘Ag Wings of Tomorrow’ Scholarship is Back with $20K Available in ’20

Attention, operators and aspiring ag pilots: The NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship is back! Thanks to the generous support of BASF and Thrush Aircraft, $20,000 in aid is available via the 2020 NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship Program to assist four aspiring ag pilots in their journey.

 

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.

 

NAAA awarded $5,000 scholarships to four aspiring ag pilots at the 2019 Ag Aviation Expo. From L–R, NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship recipients Caleb Swanson, Raudel Mendoza, Liam Zahm and Jacob Radermacher.

How to Apply

To be considered for the 2020 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 2020 “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarships in December at the Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah. Last year NAAA awarded $5,000 scholarships to four young individuals who represent the future of ag aviation: Raudel Mendoza of Sunray, Texas, Jacob Radermacher of Shipshewana, Indiana, Caleb Swanson of Canton, South Dakota, and Liam Zahm of Marne, Michigan.

 

To learn more about the 2020 NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship, please review the instructions included with the 2020 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 the 2020 “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship is Aug. 31.