FAA’s 2019 General Aviation Survey Results Reveal Important Ag Aviation Statistics
The results from the 2019 FAA General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) have been released. Ag aviators flew a total of 873,552 hours in 2019, down slightly from 2018 during which ag aviation registered 902,885 flight hours. A total of 3,120 ag aircraft were used in 2019, which was again a slight decline from the 3,335 ag aircraft used in 2018. The average hours flown per aircraft, however, increased from 271 hours per aircraft in 2018 to 280 hours per aircraft in 2019.
There were 60 ag aviation accidents, including six fatal accidents, in 2019. The overall ag aviation accident rate in 2019 was 6.87 accidents per 100,000 ag hours flown. The 2019 fatal ag aviation accident rate was 0.69 fatal ag aviation accidents per 100,000 flown. The 2019 accident rate for the remainder of general aviation (excluding part 135) was lower than ag aviation’s rate at 5.43 accidents per 100,000 hours flown. General aviation’s 2019 fatal accident rate was 1.02 fatal accidents per 100,000 hours flown, which is higher than ag aviation’s fatal accident rate.
The PAASS Program continues to play a significant role in reducing ag aviation accidents. The average ag aviation accident rate in the six-year period before PAASS began was 9.64 accidents per 100,000 hours flown. That rate has dropped to an average of 7.2 accidents per 100,000 hours flown, a 25.3% reduction, during the first 20 years of the PAASS Program, 1999 to 2019. The average accident rate from 1999 to 2010 was 7.56 accidents per 100,000 hours flown, a 21.6% reduction from pre-PAASS rates. For the period of 2012 to 2019 (there was no GA survey data for 2011), the average accident rate was 6.67 accidents per 100,000 hours flown. This is a 30.8% reduction in ag aviation accidents compared to pre-PAASS accident rates. This proves that not only is PAASS working to reduce ag aviation accidents, but that it continues to improve on accident reduction as it progresses. As an additional note, not all ag pilots attend the PAASS Program annually. Of the approximately 3,400 ag pilots in the U.S. only 1,593 attended the 2019-2020 PAASS Program.
In 2019 fixed-wing aircraft represented 78.3% of the ag aircraft used and the other 21.7% were rotor-wing aircraft. The total hours flown by aircraft type showed a different percentage breakdown, with fixed-wing aircraft accounting for 82.5% of the ag aviation hours flown and rotor-wing aircraft accounting for 17.5% of ag aviation hours. For engine type, including both fixed and rotor-wing aircraft, piston engines were used in 28.3% of ag aircraft in 2019 and represented 17.5% of the total ag aviation hours flown. Turbine engines were used in 71.7% of ag aircraft and accounted for 82.5% of the 2019 ag aviation flight hours.
The invitation to participate in the 2020 GA survey will be coming out soon. The GA Survey is the only source of information on the general aviation fleet, the number of hours flown and the ways people use general aviation aircraft. Please help our industry and aviation in general by providing accurate information to the FAA when it comes time to participate in the 2020 GA Survey.
FAA Decides not to Extend COVID-related SFAR 118 Airman Certificate Extensions Again
NAAA has been notified that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has chosen not to further extend SFAR 118. The FAA first issued this special regulation in April of 2020 to provide relief to airmen and other certificate holders who were having trouble completing recurrency training and recertification requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic made it difficult to meet required biennial flight reviews, medical exams, instrument currency and other regulation-required deadlines.
The original SFAR 118 and the two extensions added additional months to an airman’s expiring certifications. The final extension expired in January. Starting in February, any certifications or recurrency requirements coming due will need to be completed in the normal pre-pandemic timeframe.
NAAA was one of the organizations instrumental in getting the first relief for airman approved and the two extensions after that. Last month NAAA signed on to a letter with six other associations urging the FAA to grant the third extension. The FAA has left open the possibility of regulatory relief in the future but did not determine it was needed at this time.
Membership Grace Period Ends Soon! Renew by Feb. 15 to Continue Receiving Benefits
Thank you for your support as a 2020 member! If you have not yet renewed, your membership grace period ends on Feb. 15. Do we have your support for 2021?
You can renew online today or call the office at (202) 546-5722. 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.
Your membership will help us continue to fight and win important issues such as:
- NAAA petitioned to extend expiration dates for flight medical, commercial pesticide applicator, and numerous other needed licenses to conduct aerial application services during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also ensured your aerial application business and job is ESSENTIAL during COVID-19 and was not affected by the quarantine shutdowns. Check out our COVID-19 Resources webpage.
- NAAA protects the industry from unfair user fees and taxes.
- NAAA has successfully pushed for tower marking requirements.
- NAAA has protected manned pilots’ safety as drones are integrated into the national airspace.
- NAAA ensures crop protection products remain available for aerial use without unnecessary and burdensome restrictions. NAAA has commented on over 200 active ingredient registrations with the EPA since 2017.
One of our largest projects this year is protecting and advancing the needs of the industry by improving the public’s perception of the aerial application industry and capitalizing on the 100th Anniversary of agricultural aviation this year. We are already working on many projects related to the 100th celebration, including a website, history book, documentary, and public promotional events.
We’d like to remind you of just a few new offerings NAAA has recently released such as:
- NAAA is offering complimentary time for legal services on Federal Transportation Laws to Operator and Pilot Members.
- 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.
- Discounts on 2021 Ag Aviation Expo attendance, Dec. 6-9, and recruitment rewards.
We appreciate your membership as it will help us continue to fight and win on important issues like unfair user fees and taxes; tower marking requirements; integration of drones into the national airspace; and ensuring the EPA keeps a healthy inventory of crop protection products for aerial use without undue restrictions. Your membership helps us better represent your interests; renew your membership today!
NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Take Place Next Week
The NAAA and NAAREF Board Meetings Feb. 11-13 are limited in attendance due to the state of Virginia’s social distancing regulations at the hotel. As such, the NAAA and NAAREF Board, as well as Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs are invited to attend the board meeting in person; appointees will participate virtually.
Meetings are open to all NAAA members virtually (limited availability). If you would like to attend virtually, please email Lindsay Barber for further details.
The Hilton Old Town Alexandria will host our February board meetings for NAAA and NAAREF Board, as well as Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs. Click here for a schedule of events (all meetings will take place in ET).
Hilton Old Town Alexandria
- Address: 1767 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
- Reservations: If you need a room reservation, please email your arrival and departure date to Lindsay Barber.
The Hilton Old Town Alexandria is located directly next to the King Street Metro stop (take either Blue or Yellow Line), which is the second stop south of Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). You can view a map of the metro system here.
Biden Promptly Signs Executive Orders Addressing the Environment, Wages and Health
On Jan. 20, President Biden signed an executive order rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement. He also signed an order requiring the review of Trump administration rules titled “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.” The order was accompanied by a fact sheet that lists specific regulations that will be subject to the review, including:
- “Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Revision of the Application Exclusion Zone Requirements,” 85 Fed. Reg. 68760 (Oct. 30, 2020).
- “The Navigable Waters Protection Rule: Definition of ‘Waters of the United States,’” 85 Fed. Reg. 22250 (April 21, 2020).
- “Chlorpyrifos; Final Order Denying Objections to March 2017 Petition Denial Order,” 84 Fed. Reg. 35555 (July 24, 2019).
- “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for the Monarch Butterfly,” 85 Fed. Reg. 81813 (Dec. 17, 2020).
NAAA, along with the Small Business Administration, first commented to the EPA about these concerns as reported in the September 5, 2014 NAAA eNewsletter. Last November, the EPA updated the policy stating 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 Navigable Waters Protection Rule: Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” has been an ongoing back and forth between administrations. The Obama administration rewrote the Clean Water Act’s definition of a Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) in 2015. On April 21, 2020, the Trump administration’s EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers published their final rule rescinding the 2015 Obama-era rule and then issued a replacement rule that became effective on June 22, 2020. The definition still needs to survive judicial review that is likely to make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. NAAA supported the Trump administration, which clarified the definition and removed areas defined as WOTUS even though they may have been longtime dry river beds.
There are also a host of rules relating to endangered species or their habitat designations subject to the review, but nothing specific to the pesticide consultation process.
President Biden’s chief of staff, Ron Klain, also issued a memo freezing all pending rule changes proposed by the Trump administration.
In addition, the new president signed an order raising the minimum wage to $15 for the federal workforce. Under the order and an accompanying Department of Labor notice, federal contractors are also required to pay a $15 per hour minimum wage and provide emergency paid leave.
Finally, the president signed a slew of executive orders aimed at addressing the coronavirus pandemic, including an order on “Protecting Worker Health and Safety,” which directs the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to update COVID-19 safety recommendations for businesses within the next two weeks and review its enforcement efforts. The order also requires OSHA to consider whether any temporary emergency standards on COVID-19, including with respect to masks in the workplace, are necessary, and if so, to issue the new standards by March 15.
Louisiana Ag Aviator Killed in First Fatal Accident of 2021
Carl Hill was fatally injured in an agricultural aviation accident on Jan. 19. The accident occurred in northern Tensas Parish in Louisiana.
Carl was born on May 2, 1952, in Port Gibson, Mississippi. He was an agricultural aviator for 48 years and founded his operation, Tensas Flying Service, in 2004. He was a dedicated family man and aviator. He is survived by his wife, Vicki Arnold, two children and their spouses, three grandchildren, a brother and sister, and numerous nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate his life was held Jan. 23 at the Legion Memorial Cemetery in Newellton, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, donations to Tensas Academy or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are appreciated. To read Carl’s full obituary and to leave memories on his Tribute Wall, visit here.
Leaded Aviation Fuel Emissions Report Released by National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences recently released the report “Options for Reducing Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft.” The report encourages multiple strategies to reduce lead emissions from small aircraft. While acknowledging the difficulties with finding a suitable fuel alternative, the report finds that a non-leaded aviation fuel is still the ideal solution. In the meantime, the report recommends mitigating strategies: 1) The highest lead contamination occurs at the airport, with people working at the airport at the greatest risk. Locate runup areas and test areas away from workers as much as possible. Educate airport workers on the danger of lead emissions. 2) The industry should switch the standard fuel to 100 VLL (very low lead), which has 20% less lead. According to the National Academy of Sciences, 100 VLL would satisfy every aircraft currently operating on 100LL—the minimum lead content is the same, the maximum lead content is lowered, and it would require tighter blending tolerances.
Still active is the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI), a joint government and industry initiative created to develop a path forward for identifying, evaluating and deploying the most promising unleaded replacements for 100 low lead aviation gasoline. Development and prescreening testing are taking place at both private and public testing facilities across the country. The FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center is providing engine-testing services through cooperative research and development agreements (CRADA) with the individual fuel companies. While COVID-19 has delayed the completion of the prescreening tests, the tentative schedule is to restart formal PAFI testing in 2021.
The FAA General Aviation (GA) and Part 135 Activity Survey for 2018 indicates 3.59% of the total GA hours flown were in the aerial application, agriculture category (4.03% average in the previous five annual surveys). Approximately 0.68% of the total GA hours flown were in piston-powered agricultural aircraft. Of the total aerial application hours flown, 19% were flown in piston-powered aircraft.
A relevant portion of the ag aviation industry still uses piston engines and, as such, is largely dependent on avgas. NAAA continues to promote funding of research and development of a non-leaded aviation gasoline. While NAAA supports efforts to reduce lead emissions, the association urges proceeding cautiously to ensure the eventual replacement protects the safety, efficiency and livelihood of agricultural aviation.
Winter 2021 Issue of Agricultural Aviation Now Online!
The Winter 2021 issue of Agricultural Aviation is now available online and in the Agricultural Aviation Magazine App. The cover story profiles 2021 NAAA President Mark Kimmel. Additional features include tributes to the 2020 NAAA Award recipients, highlights from the 2020 Ag Aviation Expo, a review of ag aviation accidents in 2020 and much more!
Highlights of the Winter 2021 issue include:
- Century Mark! Mark Kimmel of Mississippi is NAAA’s 2021 President
- 2021 NAAA Officer Spotlights
- NAAA’s 2020 Ag Aviation Expo Comes in for a Safe Landing
- Profiles in Excellence: 2020 NAAA Award Tributes
- 2020 Leaves Ag Aviation Industry with 10 Fewer Pilots
- The Anatomy of a Wire Strike Incident
- CEO’s Message: ‘What A Long, Strange Trip It’s Been’
- Drift, Drones and Aerial Pesticide Label Decisions
How to get the Most from your Digital Edition
All online editions of Agricultural Aviation, starting with the Fall 2016 issue, are available in two reading formats: Replica and Mobile-optimized for easy reading on your phone. Use the buttons on the navigation bar to get the most from your digital edition.
Contents button: The Contents button or hamburger icon hides or displays the table of contents. Scroll through it to jump to the articles that interest you the most.
Reading/Page View: Smartphone readers, this feature is for you! Click on the Page View and Reading View (or Text) buttons to toggle between replica and mobile-optimized versions of an article.
Share: Click the Share button to share articles with friends and associates on Facebook, Twitter and via email.
Improved Search: NAAA’s digital edition now features additional search functionality. In Page View and Reading View, search will display two options: an easy-to-use search within the issue, and an option for a more in-depth search of all issues. To access the search box, open the contents tab by clicking on the hamburger icon. The search box is up top, below the masthead.
You can also access Agricultural Aviation’s library of back issues by clicking the Issue Library button.
Get the Free Agricultural Aviation App
If you haven’t installed the free Agricultural Aviation Magazine App on your smartphone or tablet, you are missing out on a great way to tap into a library’s worth of Agricultural Aviation issues in the palm of your hand. Download the Agricultural Aviation Magazine App and see how easy it is to use. The app is compatible with all Apple, Google and Amazon mobile devices and can be downloaded from their respective app stores by searching “Agricultural Aviation Magazine.” Enable push notifications to be alerted when new digital editions are published and to receive occasional notifications about pertinent articles.
Update Your Information for 2021 Membership Directory
Have you moved or changed employers since you renewed your 2021 NAAA membership? Allied companies, have you reviewed your company description lately? Ensure your listing in the 2021 NAAA Membership Directory is correct today by logging into your account. If any information has changed, please let us know right away. You can provide your information by:
- Updating your information at AgAviation.org. Log in using your username and password and update your information under My Profile.
- Responding to the letter or email that you will receive in January.
- Emailing your changes to information@agaviation.org.
- Faxing your changes to (202) 546-5726.
- Calling the NAAA office at (202) 546-5722.