NAAA Develops ‘Preseason’ Press Release for Members to Raise Awareness about Ag Aviation Activities in Their Area

With the 2020 aerial application season underway or soon to be underway in different parts of the country, NAAA has prepared a customizable press release that members can use to call attention to the fact that ag aircraft will soon be a common sight as ag pilots assist local farmers during the new growing season.

 

The press release emphasizes the vital role aerial applicators play in the production of abundant food, fiber and biofuel, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The release also details the training, professionalism and safety of aerial applicators by highlighting the drift-reduction technologies they employ, recurrent training they receive and credentials they must maintain to work as a professional ag pilot.

 

NAAA encourages members to adapt the generic “preseason” press release for their own use and distribute it to the public via traditional and social media outlets. Just fill in the blanks, add your own comments and either insert your company logo at the top or print it on company letterhead. Rename the file, save it to your computer, and send it to your local media outlets via mail, email or through their website.

 

The minor outlay of time and effort is worth it. Some extra attention and publicity up front could avoid misunderstandings down the road once the season enters full swing.

 

The press release template is available for download here. In addition to the Ag Aviation Awareness sample press release, the following sample press releases may be adapted to suit member applicators’ specific needs. Log into your NAAA account to access them:

• Importance of Aerial Application Sample Press Release
• Environmental Safety Sample Press Release
• Towers and Obstructions Sample Press Release
• Ag Aviation Security Sample Press Release
• Drone Safety Sample Press Release

Each press release template has been updated to include the latest industry facts and figures using data gleaned from the FAA, USDA and NAAA, including the 2019 NAAA Aerial Application Industry Survey.

 

These PR resources and more are available in the NAAA Media Relations Kit on our website.

Get the Latest Information on COVID-19 Public Policy and How it Impacts the Aerial Application Industry

As we continue to experience the impact of the novel coronavirus on our lives, many aerial applicators have questions about the status of various regulatory issues. NAAA has been successful working with government agencies in designating crop input services, such as aerial application, as an essential service and preventing enforcement actions and/or extending expiration dates for expired licenses.  We have prepared the following information to help sort through what’s happening:

 

1) OSHA Expands Temporary Guidance on Respiratory Protection Fit-Testing: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a memorandum detailing expanded temporary enforcement guidance on respiratory protection fit-testing for N95 masks in all industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance provides the best practices for using different types of respiratory masks while N95 masks are in short supply. Read More

 

2) Waiver for States Concerning Third Party CDL Skills Test Examiners in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency: The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a new emergency waiver for states regarding third party Commercial Driver License (CDL) skills test examiners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This waiver allows third party CDL test examiners previously authorized by the State to administer the CDL skills test to also administer the CDL knowledge test without completing a CDL knowledge test training course. Read More

 

3) TSA Grants Temporary Exemption for Hazardous Material Endorsement Holders: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is granting a temporary exemption from requirements regarding expiration of TSA security threat assessments (STAs) for Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME). The exemption is valid through July 31, 2020. Read More 

 

4) USDA Unveils Federal Resource Guide for Rural Communities: USDA’s COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide Lists Federal Programs That Can Help Rural Communities, Organizations and Residents Impacted by COVID-19. Read More

 

5) Pesticide Applicator Licensing Extension

a. NAAA is in communication with the EPA requesting they allow states to relax recertification guidelines until we move past coronavirus-related shutdowns.

 

b. Many states have already provided guidance on how they are dealing with pesticide recertification during the pandemic. The states are listed in no particular order; use your browsers “find” feature to locate your state on the page.  On April 13, 2020, the Nebraska Dept. of Ag issued an order that those in the state with commercial applicator licenses expiring by April 15, 2020, who notify the Department of their intent to renew their license and pay their fee by May 15, 2020 will be allowed to defer training and license renewals until April 15, 2021. Read more about Nebraska's extension here.

Previously Reported Policy Changes

1)  Potential Small Business Aid for Aerial Applicators: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), is an unprecedented economic relief package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump to stem the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is a $2 trillion dollar lifeline in loans and grants for large and small businesses, as well a direct payments for most Americas. Read More. 

 

2) FAA Medical Certification: The FAA issued a policy that suspends enforcement against individuals with 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class medical certificates expiring between March 31, 2020, and June 30, 2020. Be sure to check with your insurance underwriter to ensure you are covered if your licensed expired during this timeframe and a situation occurs resulting in having to file a claim.

NAAA is continuing to work with the FAA and is urging the agency to undertake an emergency rulemaking to formally extend medical certificates and not simply stop enforcement actions. The FAA has indicated it is working on a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) to possibly address this and other issues, such a pilot currency requirements.

3) Aerial Application Essential Services

a. Crop input services, such as aerial application, have been deemed critical infrastructure industries by the federal government, which means they shall continue without any disruption.

 

b. You should provide a document for everyone at your operation to carry on their person that clarifies you are an employee of a critical infrastructure industry; NAAA has prepared examples in Word and PDF that you can print on your company letterhead. This can be presented to law enforcement in the event an employee is stopped in a shelter in place or similar area.

 

c. Check TFRs. Air support may yet play a role in fighting the coronavirus and TFRs may be needed in the event of large-scale aerial supply operations.

 

d. At this time there are no plans by the FAA to shut down the national airspace.

4) Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL)

a. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has suspended truckers’ service hours until May 15, 2020, or until the end of the emergency for drivers providing services related to the coronavirus response. NAAA has joined an industry letter asking this waiver be extended to all commercial drivers in the agricultural supply chain, including driver supporting aerial application operations.

 

b. FMCSA has issued a waiver until June 30, 2020, for States, CDL Holders, CLP Holders and Interstate Drivers Operating Commercial Motor Vehicles that covers multiple items including CDL renewals, CLP holders and medical examination and certification.

5) If you need to contact your state government, NAAA has prepared a list of governors, chiefs of staff and legislative directors with contact information for all 50 states.

 

NAAA is here to answer any of your questions during these disruptive times. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for what you do to ensure a safe, affordable and abundant supply of food, fiber and biofuel for the world.

Ag Aviation Industry Suffers First Fatal Accident of 2020

NAAA Submits Member Input to FAA About Drone ID/Tracking Equipment Enforcement

This week, NAAA submitted a response to an FAA request for information (RFI) regarding how manned aircraft can potentially receive and use UAS remote tracking ID information to further enhance safety by reducing collision risks with drones at low altitudes.

 

NAAA thanks all the operator and pilot members who responded to NAAA’s request for feedback to better inform the association’s comments to ensure the FAA makes UAS tracking and ID regulations effective by fully understanding the cockpit workloads and work environment of ag aviators.

 

NAAA explained the primary purpose of UAS tracking and ID should be for the enforcement of  regulations pertaining to drones, such as recording and saving data about drone flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), flights over people, and for confirming UAS sighting reports by manned aviators. This is why it is critical UAS tracking and ID data must be saved in a database for a minimum of 90 days, so the data can be crosschecked against reports of UAS engaged in unsafe or illegal activity.

 

The comments went on further to explain that no new equipage requirements should be required by manned aviators for UAS tracking and ID, however tracking and ID data could be integrated into existing GPS or ADS-B systems.

 

You can read NAAA’s full comments here.

Exhibitor Details for the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo

The 2020 Ag Aviation Expo is still several months away, but we’re already deep into planning for this year’s NAAA Trade Show.  With the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we find ourselves in a time of uncertainty across the nation. This is an odd time to be informing you about our December Ag Aviation Expo, but with our convention still several months away, NAAA programming continues to proceed as is. We will keep you abreast of any changes.

 

Join us Dec. 7-10 in Savannah, one of the most popular Ag Aviation Expo destinations. Exhibiting allows you to get your company, product/service and brand in front of 1,600 attendees. Besides the networking, education and fun at the Ag Aviation Expo, enjoy a city full of great restaurants, nightlife, shopping, attractions and history.

 

The NAAA Trade Show will take place Dec. 8 from 12 p.m.–5:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The booth and aircraft fees for this year’s Ag Aviation Expo will remain the same as last year’s rates. Review the NAAA Exhibitor Prospectus and exhibitor webpage for further details.

 

Booth Sales for Aircraft & Large Booth Space Now Open: If you plan to bring an aircraft, need a 20x20+ island booth, a 10x30+ inline booth or larger or plan to be a Diamond or Platinum Sponsor, 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 the end of April.

 

2020 NAAA Booth Sales Process and Order of Booth Placement

• Review NAAA Exhibitor Terms and Conditions.
• Aircraft sales – Now Open. Contact Lindsay Barber ASAP if you’ would like an aircraft space.
• Island sales will begin in mid to late April (20x30 islands are sold before 20x20 islands).
• Diamond and Platinum sponsors
• 10x30 and larger inline booth sales will take place in May and June. 
• 10x10 and 10x20 booth sales will begin on Thursday, July 9 at 12 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. CT | 9 a.m. PT

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 plus 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 plus taxes.
• Hyatt Regency Savannah: $148/night plus taxes
• Savannah Marriott Riverfront: $142/night plus 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.

 

2020 Ag Aviation Expo Hotel Details

Join us for the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah, Ga., Dec. 7-10. Besides the networking, education and fun at the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo, enjoy a city full of great restaurants, nightlife, shopping, attractions and history. The NAAA hotel room block is now open! It is important for attendees to stay in the NAAA room block. We get the best hotel room rates in the heart of the Savannah district. If the NAAA hotel block is not filled, we cannot offer these great rates for future years!

 

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 plus 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 plus taxes.
• Hyatt Regency Savannah: $148/night plus taxes
• Savannah Marriott Riverfront: $142/night plus 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.

NAAA Sends Press Release Cautioning UAV Operators to Not Disrupt Food Supply Chain by Interfering with Ag Aircraft, Particularly During COVID-19 Pandemic

As the nation enters the upcoming growing season in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NAAA sent a press release to aviation and agricultural media outlets cautioning UAV operators to be extra mindful of low-flying manned agricultural aircraft operations.

 

“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared crop input services to be an essential service during the pandemic. Aerial applicators are inputting nutrients, seeds and crop protection products to crops that will become consumers’ food and fiber supply. We cannot afford even a small disruption in the nation’s food supply chain during this critical time,” said Andrew Moore, Chief Executive Officer of NAAA. “Agricultural aviators perform applications on 28% of cropland nationwide, and their work cannot be delayed because of an unidentified UAS not yielding to them, as is required by law.”

The press release recommends UAV operators:

• 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.

You can read press coverage of the release in AgAir Update, Capital Press, Vertical Magazine and Small UAS News.

 

This is the fourth year NAAA has reached out to the press regarding safe UAV operations as we enter the spring growing season. Past coverage has included Farm Journal’s Ag Pro, as well as RFD-TV and radio.  RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network focused on agribusiness reaching more than 50 million homes on DISH Network, DIRECTV, Comcast, and many other rural cable systems. RFD-TV radio is also widely circulated throughout the U.S. on channel 147 of SiriusXM.

FieldWatch’s Seed Field Worker Notification System Coming to Iowa for 2020 Growing Season

 

 

FieldWatch, the non-profit company focused on improving communications between growers, beekeepers, and pesticide applicators, will soon be launching a new pilot program in Iowa. This new system will be called SeedFieldCheck and will be a site where seed companies and pesticide applicators can communicate about the location of fields where workers are present. This will increase pesticide stewardship and better ensure seed field worker safety.

 

SeedFieldCheck will provide broad communication to pesticide applicators that accurately describes where and when seed field workers will be present in seed production fields. The new functionality will more effectively communicate the location of field workers, eventually replacing less efficient means of conveying this information. The data will be made available in near real-time, allowing seed companies the ability to make edits or update plans quickly, and broadly share current and planned worker locations with pesticide applicators. A major benefit to seed companies is that SeedFieldCheck will make this information available to any pesticide applicator doing business in their area, provided that applicator has registered on FieldWatch, and eliminate the need to anticipate who might be doing applications in the vicinity of seed field workers.

 

The SeedFieldCheck system will be added to the existing FieldWatch platform. Seed companies will work directly with FieldWatch to upload seed field sites and identify “data stewards” to help ensure data accuracy. All pesticide applicators, that haven’t already, will need to register at http://www.fieldwatch.com in order to access SeedFieldCheck, as well as the other information available on FieldWatch. They will then be able to see sites that have a “planned” or “active” status. A seed field that has a “planned” status indicates that workers are planned for that seed field the following day. A field with an “active” status indicates that workers are currently working in that seed field.

 

The program will operate as a pilot in the state of Iowa in the 2020 growing season with the intention of expanding the program in 2021 and beyond. SeedFieldCheck is a joint effort of the Iowa Seed Association, the Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association and FieldWatch, and made possible by the generous financial support of members of ISA and IAAA. For a demonstration on how to sign up as an applicator go to: http://www.fieldwatch.com/applicatordemo. NAAA strongly encourages all aerial applicators to register on FieldWatch. The only way SeedFieldCheck and the other registries on FieldWatch are available is if you register for them.

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

NAAA received notification that an independent third party company called Conventioneers is contacting our NAAA Allied members to book sleeping rooms in Savannah for the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo (see email below). This company is NOT associated with NAAA or any hotel in Savannah; your hotel room should only be booked through the information we provide (https://www.agaviation.org/hotel). Ignore their calls/emails and do not return their calls. The only company that may contact you, if you leave a message to make a reservation, is Visit Savannah, who handles the housing arrangement for our convention.

 

Please remember that no one from (or on behalf of) NAAA or any of the hotels will contact you (phone, email, etc.) to book a hotel room. NAAA recommends that you make your own hotel reservations using the information in our NAAA publications or online at http://www.agaviation.org/hotel. Do not trust these companies; they will take your money and you may not have a hotel room in Savannah.  

 

The headquarter hotel for the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo this Dec. 7-10 in Savannah is the Westin, Hyatt and Marriott. Booking details are online at http://www.agaviation.org/hotel.

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.

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.

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 Essay 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 all NAAA members and their family members.

 

Entrants must be a senior in high school or be registered in higher education by the fall semester of 2020.  Previous winners are not eligible to compete. 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 online here.