Election 2020 Hangs in Balance for Nation and Ag Aviation

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The results from the national elections still won’t be clear for several more days with absentee ballots being counted in battleground states and runoffs expected. With that said, pre-election polling data appeared not to mirror some of the results that are being finalized at this point. The Senate appears as if it will remain in Republican control, yet by a slimmer margin. One runoff election remains in Georgia between Kelly Loeffler (R) and Raphael Warnock (D). The runoff will take place Jan. 5. NAAA’s AgAv PAC supported the reelections of Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), but unfortunately, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) lost his reelection battle.

Although the U.S. House of Representatives will remain in Democratic control, Republicans did eke out a few more additions to their minority. The presidency results are still in limbo with possibly all the marbles coming down to Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Georgia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, which will be counting absentee ballots postmarked on or before Election Day through Nov. 12. The one result that is assured is that governing gridlock will likely continue, as not one party appears as if it will have control of both sides of the Congress and the presidency.

NAAA Comments to EPA Supporting Aerial Use on Multiple Registration Review Risk Assessments and Proposed Interim Decisions for Pesticides

NAAA submitted comments to the EPA on the registration review documents for 18 pesticides this week. The EPA is required by the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to review the registrations for all crop protection products every 15 years. Nine of the comments dealt with risk assessments and the other nine were on proposed interim decisions. Risk assessments are conducted by the EPA for each active ingredient being reviewed to assess any risks to the environment and human health of the products being evaluated. Interim decisions are being used by the EPA instead of a full reregistration of a product because the biological evaluations and pollinator protection assessments still need to be completed for most products.

The risk assessments were for amicarbazone, aminopyralid, dimethenamid/dimethenamid-p, endothall, fluoxastrobin, folpet, iprodione, metconazole and prothioconazole. All of the risk assessments once again had been conducted using the Tier 1 model in AgDRIFT. This model uses many inaccurate assumptions overestimating the risks of drift associated with modern aerial applications. These include variables such as use of a smaller than commonly used droplet size, a swath displacement shorter than industry standards, a slight inversion during the application, wind speed measured at a height appropriate for ground applications instead of aerial applications, an application to bare ground instead of a standing crop, and the assumption that a second application would occur with a wind speed and direction identical to the first application.

NAAA suggested the EPA use the more detailed Tier 3 model in AgDRIFT because it allows for many of the variables from the Tier 1 model to be changed to improve the model’s accuracy at estimating drift from aerial applications. NAAA recommended specific assumptions and settings to be used in the Tier 3 model. To start, NAAA suggested a turbine-powered aircraft be used instead of one with a radial engine. NAAA suggested the wind speed be increased from 10 to 15 mph to reflect real-world spraying conditions and the fact that many labels currently allow spraying in wind speeds up to 15 mph.

NAAA suggested boom length be set at 75% of the wingspan and boom drop set at 1.3 feet lower than the current Tier 1 level to reflect the boom positioning commonly seen on agricultural aircraft today. Instead of a fine droplet size, NAAA suggested using a medium droplet size, which is easily created by many of the commonly used nozzles on agricultural aircraft today. A swath displacement of half a swath displacement was suggested instead of only one-third of a swath displacement on the downwind field edge. Settings for the atmospheric stability component of the model were recommended to accurately model applications not occurring during an inversion, as all labels already prohibit applications when an inversion is present.

NAAA recommended a more appropriate height for measuring wind speed and direction such as at the location of where a smoker or Aircraft Integrated Meteorological Measurement System (AIMMS) would measure the conditions and to run the Tier 3 model assuming the presence of a crop instead of bare ground. Bare ground aerial applications are not nearly as common as aerial applications to a standing crop and the bare ground setting in AgDRIFT results in a much higher drift estimate. Finally, NAAA urged EPA to use a component of the AgDRIFT model to reflect the unlikelihood that if more than one application of a single pesticide is made, both applications will take place under identical weather conditions with wind blowing in the exact same direction at the same speed.

In a few of the risk assessments, the EPA did model drift from aerial applications using larger droplet sizes. However, the agency still used the Tier 1 AgDRIFT model and the other faulty assumptions within it. NAAA pointed out that simply using a larger droplet size does not fully correct the issues with Tier 1, and that the EPA needs to fully utilize the Tier 3 model when conducing risk assessments. The risk assessment for folpet found potential inhalation risk estimates of concern for mixers/loaders for aerial applications using wettable powder formulations of folpet, even when using a PF10 respirator. NAAA pointed out if these risks of concern are partly driven by the larger number of acres treated daily by aerial application, it is erroneous to assume that simply applying to a larger number of acres somehow results in a higher level of concern compared to treating fewer acres. NAAA also pointed out the exposure data used in the risk assessments is not as reliable as more recently accumulated data.

The proposed interim decisions for fenamidone, flumioxazin, MCPB, metolachlor/S-metolachlor, terbacil and triclopyr had drift mitigation label language for aerial applications that was largely acceptable. Like many recently proposed interim decisions, the labels for these active ingredients would set the wind speed limit to 15 mph. There would be a requirement that when applying in wind speeds of 11 to 15 mph, the boom length be reduced to a maximum of 65% of wingspan for fixed-wing aircraft and a maximum of 75% of rotor diameter for helicopters. For applications at wind speeds of 10 mph or less, maximum boom length would be 75% of wingspan for fixed-wing aircraft or 90% of rotor diameter for helicopters. Swath displacement would be half swath on the downwind edge of the field when winds are 10 mph or less, and three-fourths swath on the downwind edge of the field when wind speeds are 11 to 15 mph.

The proposed interim decision for propanil suggested a 10 mph wind speed limit for aerial applications instead of 15 mph, so NAAA recommended that the EPA use the same drift mitigation language in the other proposed interim decisions for propanil. The proposed interim decisions for acequinocyl and fenbutatin oxide proposed prohibiting aerial applications. NAAA objected, citing the advantages aerial application has over other application methods, including speed, timelines and better efficacy.

NAAA will continue to monitor the pesticide registration review process throughout the remainder of 2020 and into 2021 for both risk assessments and interim decisions and comment accordingly to the EPA.

EPA Application Exclusion Zone Worker Protection Rule Amended Providing Flexibility to Applicators, Farmers

NAAA along with other agricultural groups have been successful in getting the EPA to amend requirements for the Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ). The AEZ, promulgated under the Obama administration’s rewrite of the EPA’s Worker Protection Standards in 2015, is an area around an application device—25 feet for ground rigs or 100 feet for aircraft—that follows the equipment as the application is made. Workers and others without proper personal protective equipment and training cannot enter the AEZ.

The AEZ was problematic from the start since it was not wind directional and did not stop at property boundaries. This allowed bystanders to either intentionally or accidently stop applications. NAAA along with the Small Business Administration first commented to the EPA about these concerns as reported in the September 5, 2014 NAAA eNewsletter.

The new change the EPA issued last week for aerial applicators is the AEZ does not extend across the property boundaries of the grower’s (target) field. If conditions favor an applicator to treat a crop due to wind direction and other factors moving away from persons outside of a grower’s property but within 25 feet for ground or 100 feet for aerial, a safe application may still be made. It is important to note that an applicator is still responsible to not allow contact to people of the applied product per the pesticide label and Worker Protection requirements. The full changes are available here. NAAA commented in favor of the now enacted revisions as reported in the January 30 NAAA eNewsletter.

Ag Aviation Expo Pre-Registration Deadline Nov. 7; Save $75 per Registration

We look forward to seeing you at the 2020 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah Dec. 7-10. We urge you to pre-register for this year’s Ag Aviation Expo online by Nov. 7 to save $75 per person and avoid registration lines on-site. You can also print and mail a registration form, but your envelope must be postmarked by Nov. 7. If you pre-register by or on Nov. 7 for the Ag Aviation Expo as an attendee and need to cancel, you will receive a refund.

Pre-registration also helps us to have accurate food, beverages, and seating counts at our events. Make sure you are counted!
 
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.

Must-Attend Events!

We are continually updating the schedule of events for this year’s convention. Below are some must-attend events at the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo:

• Kickoff Breakfast Speaker changes: Kickoff Breakfast Speaker Damian Mason, Author of new book Food Fear: How Fear Is Ruining Your Dinner and Why You Should Celebrate Eating, Host of “The Business of Agriculture” and “Do Business Better” podcasts and Agricultural Comedian.
• General Session: Medical, Legal and Food Trends Affecting Ag Aviation – This session will feature substantive presentations about legal, medical and food trends occurring in the ag aviation nationally and how that might affect you and your business. Starting the session off will be aviation attorney John Wright, discussing a legal case he tried in Colorado between an aggressive state government agency and reputable, professional aerial applicators. Following rudimentary procedures resulted in a victory for our industry. Wright also provides complimentary legal services for NAAA. Next on the dais will be Dr. Stan Musick, aviator and AME, who will address numerous medical topics, including OTC drugs’ potency, fatigue and how to be granted a medical special issuance. Last but not least to take the podium will be Agri Marketing magazine publisher Lynn Henderson to discuss fairly radical changes in consumer food trends and how that may affect the aerial application industry. This General Session will be chock-full of information whether you are an operator or an ag pilot or a supplier to the industry.
• NAAA Trade Show – featuring seven aircraft and more than 100 exhibitors. View the Trade Show Floor Plan to review the companies that will be visiting with attendees on the NAAA Trade Show floor.
  
• Aerial Application Technology Research Session and more than a dozen educational sessions where you can earn potential CEUs.
  
• Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet honoring individuals and companies in the aerial application industry.
  

Education Sessions Offered at the Ag Aviation Expo Help to Keep Your Safe & Move Your Business Forward; Register Today

The 2020 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo has several hours of educational sessions and programming to help with your career as an operator and/or ag pilot! Attend the Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah, Dec. 7-10 to learn, be inspired and potentially earn CEUs for your state. The following are just a few of the informative education sessions to consider attending while you are in Savannah. Pre-register by Nov. 7 to take advantage of the pre-registration pricing (save $75/person), avoid long lines on-site and receive a refund if you need to cancel.

Low-Altitude Airspace and Aerial Crop Scouting/Imaging Session: A panel of professionals will discuss a variety of issues related to low altitude aviation ranging from FAA tower and drone policies designed to make the national airspace system safer for low-flying manned aircraft to field scouting using the AgroScout AI drone platform to find bugs and disease faster and potentially further diversity your aviation business. You will hear also hear from researchers at Mississippi State University on the culmination of a three-year research effort made possible by the support of NAAA members through GPS flight log data donations. The focus of this research is to model agricultural aircraft performance, and to use the resulting model(s) to inform and educate Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operators on how to operate in agricultural environments safely and responsibly.

Chemical Session: The Chemical Session will feature a panel of chemical company representatives discussing their products that can be applied aerially. Topics will include a review of those products, labeled crops, targeted pests, timing and crop state for applications, safety considerations and label guidelines relevant to aerial application. New products as well as existing products will be covered. Attend the session to learn about the latest and greatest products that can be applied using agricultural aircraft.

Engine Sessions: Join panel discussions to hear about radial, TPE 331 and PT6 engines.

Helicopter Session: Rotorcraft use is growing as part of the aerial application fleet in the U.S., according to NAAA’s 2019 Industry Survey. The subjects for the helicopter session roundtable will be brought up by attendees. Attend to ask your questions and learn from others!

Relationship Drift Session: Attend this session with your spouse and/or office crew! The Relationship Drift Session will look at how personal relationships affect pilot decision making and safety and will be a similar in format to the popular Compaass Rose program, but instead of better facilitating relations between inexperienced pilots and more experienced operators, the new session is designed to facilitate relations between operators/pilots and their spouses or significant others.

NAAREF Safety Session: The 2020 NAAREF Safety Session features Fran de Kock of Battlefords Airspray in Canada. He graciously allowed NAAREF to film him instructing his students on two important safety topics: emergency dumping procedures and how to land with a fully loaded aircraft. In agricultural aviation the goal of course is to apply the load in the hopper to the intended target area. Situations can change, and it is important the pilots know how to conduct both procedures, and just as importantly how to safely practice doing them. Fran was filmed both in his classroom and in a dual-seat AT-504. He covers both topics in depth, including the difference between how dumping is typically practiced versus how it will occur during an actual emergency. Don’t miss this chance to improve your knowledge about how to practice dumping a load and landing with a load. The session will be valuable to both experienced and inexperienced pilots.

Register for the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo to Network, Learn, Have Fun & See Your Friends!  

Beware of Fraudulent Company Trying to Sell Attendee Lists for the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo

NAAA received notification that a scammer company is contacting our NAAA members to purchase an attendee list for the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo. This company is NOT associated with NAAA or any vendor that NAAA works with and they do not have a list of attendees for the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo. Please do not fall for this scam.

Any message from the NAAA will come directly from NAAA with the “@agaviation.org” lettering, such as information@agaviation.org, naaaexpo@agaviation.org or a staff member's email address. For questions related to the Ag Aviation Expo, please contact Lindsay Barber.

Register for the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo to Network, Learn, Have Fun & See Your Friends!  

EPA Extends Approval of 3 Dicamba Products Until 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved new five-year registrations for two dicamba products and extended the registration of an additional dicamba product. All three registrations include new control measures to ensure these products can be used effectively while protecting the environment, including non-target plants, animals and other crops not tolerant to dicamba, the agency announced Oct. 27.

While these dicamba products cannot be applied by aerial application, this decision is important for agriculture overall, and a major win for science over unsubstantiated claims made by environmental groups. The tactics used by environmental groups to fight against dicamba are similar to the tactics they use to fight against many products that are applied by air, such as chlorpyrifos and paraquat.

“With today’s decision, farmers now have the certainty they need to make plans for their 2021 growing season,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement. “After reviewing substantial amounts of new information, conducting scientific assessments based on the best available science, and carefully considering input from stakeholders we have reached a resolution that is good for our farmers and our environment.”

The EPA approved new registrations for two “over-the-top” (OTT) dicamba products—Bayer CropScience’s XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology and BASF’s Engenia Herbicide—and extended the registration for an additional OTT dicamba product, Syngenta’s Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology. These registrations are only for use on dicamba-tolerant (DT) cotton and soybeans and will expire in 2025.

To manage off-site movement of dicamba, EPA’s 2020 registration features important control measures, including:

• Requiring an approved pH-buffering agent (also called a Volatility Reduction Agent or VRA) be tank mixed with OTT dicamba products prior to all applications to control volatility.
• Requiring a downwind buffer of 240 feet and 310 feet in areas where listed species are located.
• Prohibiting OTT application of dicamba on soybeans after June 30 and cotton after July 30.
• Simplifying the label and use directions so that growers can more easily determine when and how to properly apply dicamba.
  

The 2020 registration labels also provide new flexibilities for growers and states. For example, there are opportunities for growers to reduce the downwind spray buffer for soybeans through use of certain approved hooded sprayers as an alternative control method. The EPA also declared that it recognizes and supports the important authority FIFRA section 24 gives the states for issuing locally appropriate regulations for pesticide use. If a state wishes to expand the federal OTT uses of dicamba to better meet special local needs, the agency will work with them to support their goals.

In reviewing the dicamba registrations from Bayer, BASF and Syngenta, the agency stated that it reviewed substantial amounts of new information and conducted assessments based on the best available science, including making Effect Determinations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With this information and input, the EPA concluded that its registration actions meet Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) registration standards. The EPA believes that these new analyses address the concerns expressed about the EPA’s 2018 dicamba registrations in the June 2020 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Further, EPA concluded that with the control measures now required on labels, these actions either do not affect or are not likely to adversely affect endangered or threatened species.

In 2018, approximately 41% of U.S. soybean acreage was planted with dicamba-tolerant (DT) seed and almost 70% of U.S. cotton acreage was planted with DT seed in 2019.

Following reports of damage resulting from the off-site movement of dicamba, the EPA amended its dicamba registration labels in 2017 and in 2018. In June 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated the registrations for three dicamba products: XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology, Engenia Herbicide and DuPont FeXapan Herbicide. As a result of the court’s decision, the EPA issued cancellation orders outlining limited circumstances under which existing stocks of the three affected products could be distributed and used until July 31, 2020.

Commodity groups, such as National Cotton Council, praised the announcement, while environmental activist groups criticized the EPA’s decision. The Center for Biological Diversity’s Nathan Donley declared to Politico Pro’s agriculture policy newsletter, Morning Agriculture, that “the EPA has shown such callous indifference to the damage dicamba has caused to farmers and wildlife alike, and has been so desperate to appease the pesticide industry, it has zero credibility when it comes to pesticide safety.”

NAAA Comments on UAS Exemption Amendment Request Urging Additional Manned Aircraft Safety Measures

NAAA recently submitted comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding Avitas Inc.’s request to amend its exemption for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. Avitas, a GE venture, was granted an exemption Oct. 16, 2018, for UAS BVLOS operations using ground-based radar as the enabling technology. Avitas’s current request for an amendment to the exemption includes operation over public roads and expanding its operation south of Midland, Texas.

NAAA does not believe ground-based radar alone provides adequate protection from UAVs for low-altitude manned aircraft. NAAA stressed the importance of aerial application and the need for safety in the National Airspace System. NAAA cited a project by the Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association that showed it was almost impossible for low-altitude pilots of manned aircraft to visually see UAVs. Studies by the University of Dayton Research Institute and the FAA through the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) showing the damage UAVs can do to manned aircraft were also cited.

The comment period for this amendment request ended Nov. 4. If you would like more information on the amendment request, go here.

NAAA has information on drone safety that can be found here and a video on drone safety can be found here.

NAAA is a member of the Unmanned Aviation Safety Team (UAST). We will have our drone safety materials available on the UAST website Nov. 16–22 for Drone Safety Awareness Week.

Update on USDA Aerial Spray Nozzle Model Mobile App

By Brad Fritz, USDA-ARS Aerial Application Technology Research Unit

Like most of you, I have come to rely on my mobile device for everything from keeping track of my daily, weekly and monthly activities to finding my way from point A to point B, snapping a picture of something of interest, and keeping in touch with friends and family. Also, like many of you, I have found apps that help me be more productive on the job. I am certain we have all had the experience of suddenly finding that your favorite, or much-depended-on app has suddenly stopped working or disappeared from your device entirely. This can be incredibly frustrating if you have come to rely on said app as part of your normal routine. Well, if you are a user of the “Aerial Sprays” app that was developed by the USDA-ARS Aerial Application Technology group, prepare to be frustrated for a bit.

Change is a constant with regard to technology. The constant drive for companies to create better, more powerful and feature-rich devices means that the release of new smart devices, including smartphones, tends to occur every year. Coinciding with that, but likely less obvious to the end user, are updates to the software that make the devices possible. These software updates tend to occur at a much higher frequency, and many times are substantial enough in nature that existing apps lose functionality. The companies behind these devices try to avoid these issues by requiring app developers to adhere to some minimum level of program structure and operating standards. When these are not met by a given app, the policy is typically to restrict the availability of that particular app from the end user. That, unfortunately, is where we find ourselves with the Aerial Sprays app.

Recent updates to Apple’s iOS software require the existing Aerial Spray app to be completely rewritten to be in compliance with current standards. As you can imagine, the time and cost associated with this is not insignificant. While we are committed to getting the spray nozzle model data back on your smartphone, it is going to take some time to get all the pieces into place. What this will mean for those of you who currently use the app is that it will either stop functioning entirely or maybe disappear from your device altogether on, or around, Nov. 10.

The good news is that these Nozzle Models are still readily available in Excel form from our website, tinyurl.com/AAT-Models. While not quite as convenient, these Excel versions offer additional functionality not included in the current mobile app, including nozzle flow rate data that allows you to determine the number needed to meet a required application rate for a given set of operational requirements. Those of you who have the mobile version of Excel on your phone or other tablet device will find these Excel versions work great. We are also planning to develop a “mobile” version of the Excel interface that will improve the user interface on smaller smartphone-sized screens.

Know that we are committed to getting the mobile version of the Aerial Spray app back into your hands as soon as possible. We will keep you updated on this as things continue to progress.

Damon Reabe Appointed to National Potato Council Grower Pesticide Advisory Panel

NAAA Wisconsin board member Damon Reabe has been appointed to the National Potato Council’s (NPC) Grower Pesticide Advisory Panel. The Grower Pesticide Advisory Panel consists of growers, agronomists and consultants who provide input on the suite of pesticides used in potato production. According to the 2019 NAAA Aerial Application Industry Survey, roots and tubers, which include potatoes, beets, onions and bulbs, are treated by 27% of the U.S. aerial application industry.

As a member of NPC’s Grower Pesticide Advisory Panel Reabe will participate in conference calls or virtual meetings to discuss registered products undergoing some aspect of review with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Program (EPA-OPP), provide input on the importance of active ingredients to managing specific pests, and participate in meetings with EPA-OPP arranged by NPC, when possible, among other opportunities.

The Grower Pesticide Advisory Panel is one of four panels NPC created to provide real-world information to the EPA-OPP to ensure potato growers concerns are understood. Information provided by these panels will be used to develop comments on behalf of the industry by NPC, state organizations and growers.

Reabe is the president of Dairyland Aviation in Waupun, Wisconsin, and Reabe Spraying Service in Plainfield and Plover, Wisconsin. He chairs NAAA’s Government Relations Committee and also represents aerial applicators on the EPA’s Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee.

Reabe Spraying Service generates the majority of its revenue spraying potatoes. The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), a group with whom Reabe has worked closely since 2009, nominated him for NPC’s Grower Pesticide Advisory Panel. In ’09, Reabe and the WPVGA worked together to develop wind energy siting standards in Wisconsin. Since then they have collaborated on spray drift, pollinator protection and applicator certification and licensing issues.

“I’m glad to be on this panel to aid in their efforts and possibly develop relationships to forward the work of properly accounting for the environmental benefits that result from aerial pesticide applications,” Reabe said.

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

Renewals are now open for the NAAA 2021 membership year! Renew online or by mail 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 would like to remind you of just a few new offerings NAAA has recently released such as:

• Ensuring your aerial application business and job is ESSENTIAL during COVID-19 and extending license expirations due to quarantine shutdowns. Check out our COVID-19 Resources webpage. 
• Offering legal services on Federal Transpiration Laws to Operator and Pilot Members.
• Receive the 2019 NAAA Operator and Pilot Survey Report which is chock-full of key statistics providing a healthy status of the U.S. aerial application industry. 
• We have an awesome 2020 Ag Aviation Expo planned for you this year! Hear from James Bradley, author of Flags of our Fathers and Flyboys. It is four days packed full of educational sessions where you can earn CEUs. Registration is now open!
• Don’t forget to take advantage of financial incentives such as NAAA’s Recruitment Rewards Program.
• Our 2020 NAAA Membership Directory has been mailed out. It is your one-stop shop where you can find professional members that might be looking for help or offering help and a plethora of qualified 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.

NAAA is dedicated to protecting and advancing the needs of the industry by improving the public's perception of the aerial application industry and spearheading the industry's environmental stewardship and safety initiatives. If you haven’t gotten a chance to review all our accomplishments this past year in the 2020 NAAA Membership Directory, you can download our Annual Report.

 

We appreciate your membership as it will help us continue to fight and win to keep aerial application as an essential service during the current global pandemic and on important issues like unfair user fees and taxes; requiring tower marking requirements; and ensure the safe integration of drones into the national airspace; and advocating that EPA keeps a healthy inventory of crop protection products for aerial use without unnecessary restrictions. Your membership helps us better represent your interests.

Many Auction Items up for Bid at Live Auction; Letter of Credit Required for PT6A-34AG Engine

Thank you to 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, Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the Savannah Convention Center. All are welcome to enjoy the auction and food and beverages sponsored by Syngenta. The Silent Auction eBidding will be open Sunday, Dec. 6, through Wednesday, Dec. 9. More details will follow in November.

Pratt & Whitney Canada Engine Details

Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for its generous donation of a brand-new PT6A-34AG turboprop engine. The engine is valued at $535,661. The engine build specification (BS) is 1334, used on the Air Tractor, Thrush and Turbine Conversions STC. The winning bidder is required to pay $20,000 down on-site and remainder of payment is due within 30 days. Please provide a letter of credit from a financial institution to Lindsay Barber.

 

Air Tractor is donating a custom stretched six-passenger cart with PolyBox pickup bed, which includes a 48-volt electric club car with charger, custom painted wide stance body and canopy. Additional details on the cart include: electrocoated frame from Air Tractor E-Coat Facility, custom X stitch seats with Air Tractor logo, Kicker Bluetooth sound system with USB chargers, custom powder coated brush guard, custom powder coated Nerf Bars, 6” custom powder coated Lift Kit, 14” custom wheels with painted inserts to match body, rear receiver hitch, RGB Underglow LED lighting, LED lights, custom floor mats with Air Tractor logo, custom “AT Rudder Pedal” gas and brake pedals. A photo will be available soon! Don’t miss this opportunity for a one-of-a-kind Air Tractor collectible.

 

Praxidyn is donating a Mixmate Fusion crop protection blending system, which consists of a Mixmate Fusion Inductor with connections for three bulk products. Mixmate is a fully automated crop protection blending and recordkeeping system with modular options for portable or stationary installations and measures by weight and flow. The patent-pending jug process drains, weighs, rinses, records and reconciles the data from a 2.5-gallon jug in about 12 seconds. The Fusion Inductor weighs the products as they are added to the mix. No premeasuring is required. Bulk products are mixed automatically through a factory-calibrated flowmeter that does not need additional calibrations for different products. Simultaneously measure multiple products for fast mixing speeds. The Android app controls the system and captures the records automatically. The app synchronizes with our Intersect cloud service to back up data and provides access from the office. Intersect and Mixmate can automate data processing to save time and reduce errors in the office and the field. Mixmate has been selected as a 2018 and 2019 AE50 Award Winner. The award-winning products are those ranked highest in innovation, significant engineering advancement and impact on the market served. Mixmate is flexible and the system can easily be expanded to match your needs. Load a plane every five minutes! Save time, stay safe and be more productive! This donation is to be used in the United States only.

 

Additional great items up for bid include:

• AG-NAV: $2,500 in Gift Certificates
  
• AIG & Mary Beth Schwaegel: A Vera Bradley Day at the Beach
  
• Air Tractor: 1) New Air Tractor Custom Stretched 6-Passenger Cart with PolyBox Pickup Bed (48 Volt Electric Club Car with Charger, Custom Painted Wide Stance Body and Canopy) and 2) uAvionix Tailbeacon TSO NAV Light ADS-B Out for certified aircraft.
  
• Covington Aircraft Engines: $15,000 off any PT6-A, R-985 or R-1340 engine overhaul, maintenance or repair performed by Covington Aircraft Engines.
  
• Gibson & Barnes: Thinsulate Flite Satin Clack Jacket, sized to fit for winner
  
• JBI Helicopter Service: Cigar box with NAAA Logo
  
• Lane Aviation: Lane Brake and Fan
  
• Old Republic Aerospace: Remove Before Flight Package: His and hers boxers, tank top, night shirt and Remove Before Flight Keytags
  
• Luanne Oleas: Autographed copy of Luanne's novel, “Flying Blind: A Cropduster’s Story.”
  
• Lilly Paxton: Coach travel size jewelry case
  
• Jane Pitlick: Girl and Boy (1 each) Aviator Warm Ear-flapped Children’s Cap
  
• Praxidyn: Mixmate Fusion crop protection blending system, which consists of a Mixmate Fusion Inductor with connections for three bulk products.
  
• Reabe Aircraft Improvement: Loader Power Kit: Operators working on government contracts need to energize the Reabe Hopper Gauge when the pilot is not present, yet do not want the ground crew to enter the cockpit. In response to those requests, Reabe developed the “Loader Power Button.” The “Loader Power Button” will energize and de-energize the Reabe Hopper Gauge from outside the aircraft. The “Loader Power Button” will also timeout if left unattended. This item is STC approved and is now also standard equipment on all 2020 Ag Air Tractors.
  
• Smoker Oil/Mosquito Products, LLC: 55-gallon drum of Smoker Oil delivered to any commercial location with a dock or forklift in the United States.
  
• START PAC: $750 START PAC credit toward the purchase of any START PAC products of $3,000 value or more.
  
• Storm Aeronautics: Storm Shield for Air Tractor or Thrush (winners’ choice).
  
• Support Committee: Rifle: Bergara B14 Terrain Wilderness .300WM 26" TB Gray/Camo.
  
• Turbine Conversions: Single Point Fueling System: Single point bottom loading fueling system complete with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for all models of Air Tractor, Thrush, Ag-Cat and M18 Dromader. Approved in US, Australia, Canada & Brazil.
  
• UPL North America: Custom-built 6 mm ARC, AR15 rifle.

Save the Date for the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo