NAAA Joins Large Coalition to Fight GPS Interference from Ligado 5G Network

NAAA has joined a growing coalition that opposes the FCC’s recent decision to approve Ligado Networks’ application to operate a 5G network in the L-band radio spectrum, which is the band adjacent to the one used for GPS. Ligado’s network will interfere with GPS and other satellite-based technology. NAAA is one of over 60 organizations and companies in this coalition. Other members include AOPA, GAMA, numerous airlines, Farm Bureau, shipping companies, weather associations and numerous GPS companies.

 

The coalition is currently working with Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK)’s staff to get other senators to sign a letter which asks the FCC to reconsider its decision. Inhofe serves on the U.S. Senate’s Armed Service and Commerce, Science & Transportation Committees. The Pentagon has also raised concerns about interference from the Ligado spectrum. Eighteen senators have signed the letter so far. The coalition has also prepared a talking-points document and FAQs briefing about the FCC’s approval. In addition to Sen. Inhofe’s letter, the coalition has written its own statement of record for the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that details industry concerns related to national security, public safety and economic impact.

 

Implementation of Ligado’s plan would cause widespread GPS interference and Ligado has failed to address these concerns. In approving Ligado’s proposal, the FCC ignored the concerns of industry and government experts who oppose the proposal, and the FCC failed to fully evaluate this interreference. In addition to GPS interference, the FCC’s decision could negatively impact ADS-B functioning.

 

Ligado’s 5G technology would interfere with aviation and other GPS receivers when the receivers get close to a Ligado 5G tower. A study by the Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed that most non-IFR-certified GPS equipment, such as that used for general aviation, would experience interference at close to a mile from a Ligado tower. For GPS equipment certified for IFR, the interference would not occur until the GPS equipment got to within around 250 feet of the 5G transmitter, but the DOT report noted this is still a major concern for low-altitude aircraft operations.

This is not the first time NAAA has stepped up to protect GPS from Ligado’s threats. Ligado is the new name of LightSquared, which was forced into bankruptcy and restructuring following a loss almost 10 years ago on this same GPS interference issue. At that time, LightSquared insisted that the GPS industry should have to deal with any issues caused by LightSquared’s 5G system. More recently, in 2018, NAAA joined several other aviation associations in a letter to the FAA regarding concerns with Ligado.

 

It seems that even after a bankruptcy and almost a decade to reconsider its approach, Ligado/LightSquared’s lack of concern for GPS users and aviation safety hasn’t changed. NAAA will continue to fight to prevent interference to the GPS you use to make accurate and safe aerial applications.

NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Taking Steps for a Healthy & Safe December Convention

While the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo is months away, scheduled for Dec. 7‒10, NAAA is diligently working on plans to help with social distancing throughout our convention. We are also working with the city and our contracted facilities to understand their steps for additional disinfecting/sanitizing during our show.

 

A few of the procedures that NAAA will consider implementing include:

1. We will create 6 feet of space between people in our registration line and at our registration desk. See the image below for a sample of what this will look like. Staff will wipe down the desk in between each person and we strongly encourage you to register online or over the phone this year. Attendee registration opens July 1.
2. We will create a social distancing flow on our NAAA Trade Show floor with arrows and distance marker stickers. See the image below; this is not for our show, but we will create a similar flow. We are also discussing tactics to control the number of people on the trade show floor at one time.
3. Depending on availability of products, we will have PPE stations on the floor and in the registration area that will house hand sanitizer, gloves and face masks.
4. We will set up our meeting rooms to have sections of seating with chairs spaced apart for those that do not want to sit close to others.
5. We encourage elbow bumping instead of handshakes and encourage you to travel with and wear face masks and gloves.
6. We will also be implementing changes with the food and beverage at our receptions, banquets and coffee breaks so that multiple people are not touching banquet station handles.  

NAAA is proceeding as is for our Ag Aviation Expo and will keep you informed of any changes. The room block is open at three great hotels in Savannah and the city is excited for our return this December. View the hotel booking details below.

 

Example of new registration flow at the Ag Aviation Expo to distance attendees 6 feet apart.

 

The NAAA Trade Show floor will have a flow throughout the hall to help distance people. The above graphic is a sample, not the NAAA Trade Show floor.

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.

COVID-19 Notice

NAAA is continually monitoring federal and state health guidelines related to protections from the COVID-19 virus. We are proceeding as is for our December Ag Aviation Expo, yet simultaneously evaluating the health and safety of an in-person meeting, and/or a virtual format. We will keep you posted should any changes be made. You can view NAAA’s procedures for a healthy and safe Ag Aviation Expo at AgAviation.org/covidexpo.

NAAA Position on Spraying with Drones Echoed by Ohio Agricultural Engineers

NAAA, always working to diversify and enhance the professionalism of the aerial application industry, has been advocating drones for aerial imaging while being skeptical  about the limitations and issues related to their making efficacious and targeted aerial applications due to their limited size, speed and a dearth of data on their effectiveness. A recent article in Ohio’s Country Journal detailed some of the same issues raised by NAAA.

 

The article was written by three professors with the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Ohio State University. The article gives an overview of the current status of drone use in agriculture and the historic and current use of drone spraying in Southeast Asia and the use of the Yamaha RMAX in California.

 

The article then goes on to acknowledge that spraying with a drone is different than spraying with either a ground rig or manned agricultural aircraft. This is a key point NAAA has made to federal and state regulatory agencies, highlighting that current labels don’t reflect this difference. The authors also point out that drift is a concern from spraying with drones. They mention that research is currently being done to measure deposition, coverage and drift from drones and compare drones with other application methods. They state “it is too soon to come to a conclusion on effectiveness and drift potential of drone sprayers.”

 

They also conclude that the economics of using a drone for applications will make it more likely they will be used for spot spraying rather than larger-scale broadcast applications. Perhaps the most important agreement with NAAA’s position on drone spraying is that the federal regulations related to pesticide applications need to be updated to include drones, and pesticides must be labeled appropriately for drone applications.  In January of this year, NAAA submitted a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to urge the EPA to promptly evaluate UAS’ ability to make safe and precise and efficacious applications of pesticides.

AirVenture 2020 Cancelled, NAAA Looking Forward to 2021 Event

Last Friday, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) announced that AirVenture 2020 has been cancelled. This year would have been NAAA’s fifth appearance since 2016.

 

AirVenture is held each summer at Wittnam Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis., and is a weeklong celebration of aviation. Nearly 10,000 aircraft are displayed with more than 800 exhibitors, 1,000 forums and workshops, 4,800 volunteers and more than 600,000 visitors each year.

 

In an email to AirVenture exhibitors, Jack Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board stated:

By this time, we should have begun ramping up our entire site in preparation for our July convention. Volunteers from across the country and world would have descended on Oshkosh. Together they would have formed work parties, our suppliers would begin [to] start setting up tents and infrastructure. But because of circumstances beyond our control, none of this can happen now. We cannot even get to the hangar so our preflight is left to watching the prog charts. While this certainly makes the ability to prepare for the event a scheduling problem, it does not preclude the bigger issue of predicting what will be the health guidelines in July. Right now, there are three phases that have been defined in Wisconsin as the recommended procedures. As I write this, we are not in Phase 1 yet. Phase 2 restricts gatherings to 50 people. Phase 3 allows for mass gathering with restrictions.

Pelton continued:

Our convention attracts EAA members not only from the U.S. but around the world. Today we cannot predict when we will be at a point that our event meets the all clear Phase 3 milestone for mass gathering with restrictions. As your leader, I see no clear path to meet our own requirements to ensure the health and safety expectations our organization demands for our employees, members, volunteers, exhibitors and attendees. That includes sanitization, separation and personal protection requirements.

Looking forward to 2021, NAAA is excited for AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 where NAAA and our AirVenture partners will celebrate the 100th anniversary of aerial application. Save the dates of July 26–Aug. 1 for AirVenture 2021.

Special Rule Issued by FAA Extends Medical Certificates, Flight Reviews and Other Privileges Through June 30

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NAAA has been in near-daily contact with the FAA regarding the many regulatory hurdles that are nearly impossible to comply with during the pandemic. In response to this, the FAA yesterday released a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) addressing many of these concerns. The following exemptions will be valid upon the rule’s publication in the Federal Register.

 

Medical Certificates

The FAA extended the validity periods of medical certificates expiring between March 31 and May 31 through June 30.  This is an important distinction between the FAA’s previous decision to simply suspend enforcement actions against expired medical certificates, which could have potentially caused insurance complications.

 

Flight Reviews

The FAA is offering a three-calendar-month “grace period” for those whose flight review expire between March 1 and June 30. However, there are two conditions to be eligible for this extension:

• The pilot must have logged at least 10 hours of pilot in command time (PIC) within the 12 calendar months preceding the month the flight review was due, in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated.
• Eligible pilots must complete FAA Safety Team online courses totaling at least three Wings credits. The courses must have been completed in January or later to meet this requirement, according to the rule.
• For Robinson R-22 and R-44 pilots, the 10 hours of PIC time noted above must be in an R-22 or R-44, provided the pilot has at least 200 hours of helicopter time with at least 50 hours in an applicable Robinson helicopter.
• R-22 or R-44 pilots with less than the above level of experience may extend their flight review an additional three months provided that of their 10 hours of PIC time in an R-22 or R-44, 3 hours has occurred in the 3 calendar months preceding the month the flight review was due, and  they complete a minimum of three hours of self-study that includes specific subjects as denoted in the SFAR.

Knowledge Tests

Applicants whose knowledge tests expire between March and June will have their knowledge tests’ validity extended by three months.

 

Flight Instructors

Unlike pilot certificates, flight instructor certificates expire every two years. The FAA will  extend the validity of flight instructor certificates that expired between March 31 and May 31 until June 30.

 

Inspection Authorization

Airframe and powerplant mechanics with inspection authorization who were not able to meet the first year renewal requirements by March have until June 30 to complete one of the listed activities to meet the first year renewal requirements.

 

NAAA had previously joined a letter with general aviation industry partners asking the FAA to temporarily allow exemptions and deviations from certain FARs to ensure the continuity of operations and commerce during the pandemic.

 

As a result, the FAA justified the need for the SFAR writing, in part, “… the associations stressed the importance of general aviation operations for lifesaving air medical missions, the movement of essential personnel and medical equipment, aerial applications for crops, forestry treatments, firefighting, and eradication of mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests.”

 

You can get the very latest policy guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic important to agricultural aviators at agaviation.org/covidresources

Spring Savings! NAAA Merchandise is 30% OFF

Thanks so much for being a 2020 member! We appreciate your ESSENTIAL services as agricultural aviators and related businesses, especially in these stressful times. 

We've discounted all our merchandise by 30% as we begin to close NAAA’s online eStore. Aerial applicators prefer to shop for NAAA's quality merchandise at the annual Ag Aviation Expo, so that is where our sales focus will be devoted and continue. In the meantime, great bargains can be found online here until April 30, 2020.

 

We'll see you at this year’s Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah, Ga., December 7-10, 2020 where you can shop the newest and trendiest items. 
 

 

Shine a Light on Our Unsung Heroes with NAAA’s Quick and Easy Online Awards Form

 

One of the highlights of each NAAA convention is the chance to honor a distinct group of the committed individuals and companies for their service to the agricultural aviation industry. Their stories are truly inspiring, making it a rewarding experience for the audience and award recipients alike. Receiving an NAAA Award is not a one-night or even a one-year honor, however. The significance doesn’t fade with time in the eyes of those members who have been fortunate enough to be honored by their industry peers for a job well done.

 

The aerial application industry is filled with exceptional people who go above and beyond the call of duty, often with little fanfare. So go ahead—make someone’s day, year or career by nominating him or her for a 2020 NAAA Award! Chances are you may have some extra time on your hands if you’ve been sheltering in place. Take advantage this unique interlude to help NAAA identify these unsung heroes. We’ve made the award nominations process even easier with NAAA’s new online awards submission form.

 

The new online submission form is the fastest and simplest way to nominate someone in just a few clicks, but the traditional PDF-based awards forms are also available options.

• 2020 Awards Nomination Online Submission Form (recommended)

• 2020 Award Nomination Form (Fillable PDF)

• 2020 Award Nomination Form (print version)

Completed entries using the traditional PDF forms may be emailed or faxed to NAAA at information@agaviation.org or (202) 546-5726 (fax).

 

There are nine NAAA Award categories and one NAAREF Award. The nomination deadline is Sept. 10, but early nominations are encouraged. The longer you wait, the busier you’ll be as the summer season approaches.

NAAA Award Categories

Agrinaut Award: Honors an agricultural aircraft operator, operating organization or allied member company that has made an outstanding contribution in the field of ag aircraft operations. The achievement cited shall have contributed to the “state-of-the-art” 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. This award no longer has carryover nominations from year to year; a new nomination must be submitted every year.

 

Larsen-Miller Community Service Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by a member to his or her 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.

 

The 2020 NAAA Award recipients will be announced in the fall and honored at the Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet Dec. 10 in Savannah.

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.

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.