NAAA Targets Ag Retailers, Farmers with Spring Ad Buys
NAAA’s ad campaign promoting the benefits of aerial application to farmers and ag retailers is back and in full swing for the 2021 season. A March 8 ad in AgWeb AM, one of Farm Journal Media’s largest newsletters, kicked off a six-week email advertising run. On the print side, the first of two ads in The Scoop (formerly known as AgPro) will appear in the magazine’s March 2021 issue.
NAAA’s digital ads will continue to run in AgWeb AM’s Monday editions for five more weeks, concluding with AgWeb AM’s April 12 issue. AgWeb AM provides ag news, market and weather information each morning to an audience of 150,000 mostly grower subscribers.
AgWeb AM reaches 150,000 mostly grower subscribers.
The half-page ad in The Scoop’s March issue will be followed by a full-page ad in its April/May 2021 issue. The Scoop delivers business solutions to 20,000 farmer advisers, including agricultural retailers/dealers, independent crop consultants, custom applicators, professional farm managers, extension services and fertilizer, pesticide, seed and equipment manufacturers.
As always, NAAA’s print and email ads feature the tagline “Aerial Application: Above All Other Forms of Crop Care” and promote how aerial application is by far the fastest, most versatile and economical way to aid farmers in producing greater crop yields. Additionally, this year’s campaign includes messaging that alludes to the industry’s 100th anniversary. A secondary tagline in the new digital ads that alternates with the primary tagline declares: “Aerial Application: Heightened Crop Care Since 1921.” Centennial-oriented messaging was also worked into the new print ads.
The calls to action direct readers to find an aerial applicator near them using NAAA’s “Find an Aerial Applicator” database of NAAA member operators.
NAAA has been promoting aerial application services through national ads in agricultural trade media for four years, dating back to 2017. NAAA selects a different trade magazine in which to advertise each year. In previous years the “Above All Other Forms of Crop Care” ad campaign has appeared in AgPro (2020), CropLife magazine (2017 and ’19) and Farm Journal magazine (2018). NAAA has been advertising in AgWeb AM’s weekday morning e-newsletter since 2018.
Update Your ‘Find an Aerial Applicator’ Listing
This ad campaign, along with the “Find an Aerial Applicator” database, is a service NAAA provides to operator members to help promote their businesses.
NAAA’s search tool can be found at AgAviation.org/findapplicator or on any page of NAAA’s website by clicking on the “Find Aerial Applicator” link in the upper right-hand corner.
The “Find an Aerial Applicator” lookup tool gives NAAA Operator, Affiliated Operator and Lifetime Operator members the option of promoting their services to farmers and other potential customers by listing their company in NAAA’s narrowly tailored public database. The database only provides enough information to give farmers, municipalities and others who may need the services of an aerial applicator a mechanism to locate and contact the NAAA operators nearest to them. Search results return the name of the company, the business number on file, the operator’s city and state, and the aerial application operation’s website, if there is one.
To ensure your information is up to date, you can log in to AgAviation.org and, once logged in, you can update your listing with a logo, edit your listing or opt-out of the database. Operator, Affiliated Operator and Lifetime Operator members are free to opt-out or opt back in at any time. If you need assistance with updating your information, please contact the NAAA office at (202) 546-5722 or information@agaviation.org.
NAAA Defends the Aerial Applications of Chlorpyrifos
Last week NAAA submitted comments to the EPA to argue against prohibiting aerial applications of chlorpyrifos. The comments were in response to the EPA’s proposed interim decision for chlorpyrifos. 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. 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 proposed interim decision indicated the proposed ban on the aerial applications of chlorpyrifos was based on risks to mixers and loaders, which was in turn affected by the use of a 10X safety factor. Elsewhere, however, the proposed interim decision stated the use of the 10X safety factor was for human health risks of concern related to the potential for neurodevelopmental effects on the young. The exposure path for these risks of concern was given as drinking water. NAAA commented that it is not appropriate to estimate risks to mixers and loaders based on a drinking water exposure concern. Additionally, NAAA pointed out that the worker protection standard (WPS) already prohibits anyone under 18 from mixing and loading pesticides, so human health concerns for the young should not impact risk assessments for mixing and loading chlorpyrifos.
While NAAA disagreed with how the risks to mixers and loaders were calculated, a mitigation plan was proposed to help ensure aerial applications remain labeled for chlorpyrifos. NAAA proposed requiring both a closed loading system and an elastomeric half facepiece cartridge respirator when mixing and loading chlorpyrifos for aerial applications. The EPA recommended this same combination on the recent proposed interim decision for triphenyltin hydroxide (TPTH), which NAAA referenced. NAAA also proposed banning the use of flaggers for aerial applications of chlorpyrifos, which, according to its industry surveys, is no longer used by the industry. To further work to ensure aerial application of chlorpyrifos continues, NAAA proposed banning the aerial application of all dry formulations of chlorpyrifos, including granule, water-soluble packets (WSP), and wettable powders. EPA models estimate a higher risk of inhalation for these formulations, which are rarely if ever used by aerial applicators.
NAAA’s comments highlighted the importance aerial application of chlorpyrifos plays for timely pest control, particularly when the ground is wet and when a pest outbreak requires a high number of acres to be treated in a short time. Many of the pests treated with chlorpyrifos, such as soybean aphids, are aggressive and can cause a great deal of crop damage in a short amount of time. NAAA pointed out to the EPA that it is these situations in particular where growers rely on aerial applications. NAAA referenced comments from the American Crystal Sugar Company that specifically stated the importance of aerial applications of chlorpyrifos for sugarbeet growers.
NAAA’s comments addressed and questioned, once again, EPA’s use of the Tier 1 model in AgDRIFT to estimate drift from aerial applications. This model uses many inaccurate assumptions and substantially overestimates the risk of drift associated with modern aerial applications. These faulty assumptions include a smaller than commonly used droplet size, a swath displacement shorter than industry standards, a slight inversion present during the application despite being prohibited on the label, wind speed measured at a height appropriate for ground applications instead of aerial applications and modeling the application to bare ground instead of a standing crop. NAAA referred the EPA to a letter submitted to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs last June for a detailed analysis of all the inaccuracies of the Tier 1 model and how to use the Tier 3 AgDRIFT model to improve the accuracy of aerial drift estimates. NAAA argued in favor of a 15-mph wind speed limit, but indicated our acceptance of 10 mph if necessary to ensure aerial applications of chlorpyrifos. In terms of buffer zones, NAAA reminded the EPA again that all buffer zones need to be based on the wind direction, as spray drift only moves downwind, not upwind.
In addition to the threat to aerial applications, chlorpyrifos faces a complete ban in the U.S. Therefore, in addition to our own comments, NAAA helped author and signed onto a coalition letter to the EPA to support the reregistration of chlorpyrifos for all its currently registered uses. The coalition of 37 stakeholders included growers, retailers, applicators, distributors, manufacturers and crop consultants, including the Agricultural Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Onion Association, National Potato Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, and USA Rice.
The full comments submitted by NAAA to the EPA on the concerns with the proposed interim decision for chlorpyrifos can be read here. NAAA will be commenting on numerous registration review documents in 2021, including endangered species assessments for glyphosate and several important fungicides. NAAA remains committed to ensuring your operation has access to the products your customers demand to be applied aerially.
Innovative Wire Marker Tool Now Available Stateside
The Rotamarka wire marker blends elements of movement, contrasting colors and three-dimensional form to make powers lines, cables, wires and conductors more conspicuous to pilots.
Wire collisions make up a significant number of accidents annually in the aerial application industry due to the difficulty in seeing such wires used for either telecommunications or power transmission. Over the 10-year period from 2011 to 2020, there was an average of nine ag aviation wire strike accidents per year. Over that same 10-year period, wire strikes accounted for 16% of all fatal ag aviation accidents.
Now a U.S. dealer for the Australian company Balmoral Engineering— Sicame USA—is established stateside to market the much-easier-to-see “Rotamarka” wire marker, which attaches to transmission wires. NAAA first reported on the Rotamarka in the Summer 2019 issue of Agricultural Aviation. The marker is unique in that it combines movement with multi-color vanes and reflectors to alert the pilot to the wire. A video of the marker can be found here. More information about the marker is available on the Balmoral Engineering website.
The marker was designed for horizontal wires and may be used on diagonal guy wires as well. NAAA is working with Sicame USA to identify and contact power distribution companies to urge them to install markers such as the Balmoral Rotamarka wire marker. The markers are also available for sale to individual ag operators to provide to power distribution companies and rural electric cooperatives. Ag operators are encouraged to inform their local power companies about the wire markers’ availability for purchase and placement on difficult-to-see wires.
In Australia, there is also a Look up and Live app that uses geospatial information to digitally mark the location of overhead power lines. Wires that cross corners or have their supporting poles hidden by background obstructions such as trees are the most difficult to identify. Guy wires on poles and towers also contribute to accidents each year. A quality wire marker would reduce the frequency of these accidents.
Contact Sicame USA at (630) 238-6680 or sales@sicameusa.com for more information on the Rotamarka wire marker.
Little Rock FSDO FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) Presents Webinar on Aerial Applicators Working in Areas with UAS
On March 4, NAAA staff along with Damon Reabe, Wisconsin ag aviation operator and chairman of NAAA’s Government Relations Committee, participated in a Little Rock, Arkansas, FSDO FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) webinar titled “Aerial Applicators Working in Areas with UAS.” The webinar presenters were all from Arkansas, including speakers from the University of Arkansas, WRK of Arkansas and the Little Rock FSDO. The target audience was UAS operators working in the agricultural environment, and the presentations focused on how to work safely together to prevent an accident between manned and unmanned aircraft.
Dr. Terry Spurlock, plant pathologist with the University of Arkansas, started off the webinar with a discussion on how UAS are used in agriculture, primarily to collect remotely sensed data for surveying crop damage and to conduct research. Dr. Spurlock’s laboratory uses UAS for research, and he stressed his main goal is to have a safe interaction with ag aircraft. His lab’s preflight checklist includes notifying all aerial applicators, by phone, within a 15-mile radius of where they will be operating. The University’s lab personnel describe to the aerial applicators they contact the exact location and time frame during which they will be operating the UAS. They also seek to understand when and where aerial applicators might be working in the nearby area. Dr. Spurlock stressed how it is absolutely critical that UAS always give the right of way to manned aircraft.
Next up was another professor from the University of Arkansas, Dr. Richard Ham, who raised concerns about safety in the ag aviation airspace as the use of UAS increases. According to Dr. Ham, UAS operators need to focus on risk management and mitigation and need to be ever vigilant for ag aircraft. Ham provided an update on current UAS rules including Remote Identification (RID), night operations, recurrent training, registration and other 107 rules. He stated, due to aerial imaging and applications conducted for crops, the agricultural airspace is an area where UAS and manned aircraft incidents are most likely to occur.
Little Rock FSDO FAASTeam members Jamie Black and Heather Metzler provided an overview of the requirements for UAS making applications under 14 CFR Part 137 operations. The workshop finished up with NAAA member Dr. Dennis Gardisser of WRK of Arkansas, and a former professor at the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, speaking about ag aircraft operations in an effort to better educate UAS operators on manned aerial applications and associated rules. He provided information on common altitudes used in ag aviation, where ag aircraft operate from, documents required for ag aircraft, the Part 137 knowledge and skills test, and the five most common factors in agricultural aircraft accidents. Most importantly for the UAS operators attending the webinar, Dr. Gardisser gave advice on how UAS pilots can avoid aerial applicators.
Canadian Ag Aviation Industry Told by Their Regulatory Agency to Follow Labeled GPA Rate—Same Message Applies to U.S. Ag Aviators
The Canadian Aerial Applicators Association (CAAA) received a letter in February from its government’s Pesticide Compliance Program (PCP)—a part of the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. EPA. PMRA is responsible for verifying and enforcing compliance with Canada’s pesticide laws and regulations. Like the U.S., Canada’s pesticide regulations require all pesticide applicators to read and follow label requirements. Using of a pesticide inconsistent with its labeling is a violation of the law.
Recently the PCP has been conducting inspections of Canadian aerial application operations. During these inspections, they noted situations where ag aviators were using lower spray application rates (gallons of spray per acre or GPA) than the minimum GPA allowed by the label. Just like in the U.S., this is a violation of the pesticide label and the law.
In addition, based on advertisements for aerial application services using electrostatic spray systems, PCP reminded CAAA that electrostatic spray systems have not been evaluated by PMRA and are therefore not listed on pesticide labels as approved aerial application equipment. Because of this, the use of electrostatic spray systems for aerial applications is off-label and illegal.
PCP requested that CAAA communicate with members about these label violations and urge aerial applicators to always follow pesticide label directions. They reminded CAAA that non-compliance with following the label could result in enforcement actions taken against operations found to be in violation. Electrostatic application systems are allowed to be used in the United States, but the labeled GPA must be used to ensure legal use.
This letter also serves as a reminder to U.S. aerial applicators about the importance of always reading and following the instructions on pesticide labels. While there are many times that labels can be confusing and even contradictory, it is critical that aerial applicators do their best to comply with all application requirements found on the label. Remember, just because there is research that suggests a lower spray application rate may provide equal or better efficacy, this does not mean that it is legal to apply at that rate. No matter what the research says, it is off-label and illegal to apply at a GPA lower than the minimum specified on the label.
NAAA has developed a good working relationship with the EPA. We have been successful at reregistering products with aerial applications on the label while minimizing burdensome and unnecessary restrictions and made substantial progress towards changing the models EPA uses to estimate the risk of drift from aerial applications. The efforts have resulted in the maximum allowed wind speed during which aerial applications can be made increasing from 10 to 15 mph for many pesticides. The backbone of these successes is the demonstrated professionalism of ag aviators in the U.S. Widespread label violations of any type could damage the relationship between NAAA and EPA and set back the gains that have been made. Please remember to always read and follow pesticide label directions.
Whether You’re a Pilot, Operator or Allied Business, Support the Centennial Celebration of Aerial Application — Many More Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Thank you to the companies that have committed to supporting the 100th anniversary of the aerial application industry. This year, the agricultural aviation industry is celebrating its first 100 years of service of providing food, fiber and bioenergy, in addition to protecting forestry and controlling health-threatening pests, to our great nation. As NAAA prepares for this centennial celebration, we invite you to take part as a donor and participant in this once-in-a-lifetime anniversary. You are part of this industry and should be celebrated! You can learn more about sponsorship opportunities and the 100th anniversary on the new website AgAviation100.com.
We have four sponsorship levels available and your logo, advertisement and/or story can be seen for years in a book, documentary, in eBlasts and on our 100th anniversary website. Individual donations are also welcome at any dollar amount (see pages 4 and 5 of our sponsorship brochure).
Aug. 3, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of an experiment in Ohio when lead arsenate dust was spread over catalpa trees to kill sphinx moth larvae. In honor of this accomplishment, we are planning a major campaign to include a short documentary, a complete history book of the industry and a significant outreach campaign to the public and the media through media briefings, press releases, website and social media that showcase the proud history and promising future of aerial application.
Sponsoring the 100th anniversary is a great way to show your support of the industry's longevity and potentially showcase your contributions to the industry. Your level of support provides you the opportunity to be seen for years to come in the book, on the website and social media, at events and in the documentary.
Click here to view our 100th anniversary sponsorship brochure. This is an industry-wide celebration; we welcome your sponsorship ideas if there is a different way that you would like to support the anniversary and industry.
Our industry has a remarkable story to tell. It plays a crucial role in helping farmers feed, clothe and provide biofuel to the world. And we hope you will join us in supporting the 100th anniversary celebration of the aerial application industry.
NAAA Joins Hands to Attain FBO Fee Transparency and Standardization of FAA Airport Diagrams
Under the “Know Before You Go initiative,” FBOs may voluntarily list their fees and prices for turbine and piston aircraft in AOPA’s Airport Directory.
NAAA recently joined the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and many other state/regional agricultural aviation associations and national general aviation associations in calling for fixed-base operator (FBO) fee transparency at the nation’s public-use airports.
One program in particular, known as “Know Before You Go,” encourages FBOs to voluntarily place their prices and ramp fees online so all pilots can make informed decisions in their preflight planning. Ramp fees include infrastructure fees, security fees, tie-down fees, handling fees, parking fees, overnight fees, etc. that are charged to both piston and turbine aircraft operators.
Letting pilots of piston and turbine aircraft know what the fees are at a particular airport before they arrive enables pilots to make an informed decision on the best place to land and creates more competition among FBOs. At this point, about 25% of the 3,000 FBO locations are participating in this transparency initiative, mostly small and independent FBOs. This coalition effort, which includes the support of multiple aviation groups, seeks to increase the compliance rate, especially with the large chain FBOs.
With respect to airport ramp transparency, the “Know Before You Go” campaign encourages the use of standardized General Aviation parking labels, where applicable, on FAA-required airport diagrams. This, too, will help pilots in their preflight planning and effectively address the use of multiple terms currently being used to describe the same parking area.
Today, about 700 airports are required to have an airport diagram, and the FAA is moving to increase that number to over 3,000. A recent AOPA survey found nearly 30 different labels for the same type of GA parking ramp—in Southern California alone. On a national scale that number multiplies, hence this effort to standardize. Standardized General Aviation parking labels for airport diagrams, where applicable, include GA Transient Ramp, GA Tenant Ramp, FBO Ramp and CBP Ramp.
Under the “Know Before You Go initiative,” FBOs can voluntarily use their own website, an airport website or the AOPA Airport Directory to list fees and prices for turbine and piston aircraft. AOPA’s airport database is a great tool for ag pilots migrating to help operators in need of ag pilots in other parts of the country as they relocate their aircraft.
Pilots Approved for Johnson and Johnson Vaccine, with 48-Hour Flight Restriction
The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson, which requires one dose, is available to the American public under provisions of an emergency use authorization issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FAA recently released this statement:
Holders of FAA-issued Airman Medical Certificates or Medical Clearances may receive the single dose Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine; however, a 48-hour “No Fly/No Safety-Related Duty” interval must be observed after the injection.The 48-hour no-fly restriction is the same as was issued for the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines, both of which have been approved for use by pilots. Individuals holding an Airman Medical Certificate are reminded that they are prohibited from performing flight crewmember duties if they do not meet medical certification requirements, including those related to adverse events from medications that render them unable to perform such duties.
Anecdotal reports from those who have taken the two previously approved vaccines indicate side effects in the first 48 hours that may make it difficult to perform their duties. As more vaccines become available, it is expected that more pilots will move into the eligible category. Essential workers are receiving the vaccines; however, it varies from state to state as to who is eligible at any given point. Check with your state or local Department of Health for more information. For more information from NAAA on the pandemic and how to prevent it from negatively affecting your business, consult the COVID-19 Resources page on the NAAA website.
Call for Savannah’s 2021 Ag Aviation Expo Aircraft Exhibitors
Join us at the 2021 Ag Aviation Expo in Savannah Dec. 6-9 for the premier trade show for agricultural aviation, great networking opportunities and a terrific lineup of speakers and events! In addition to new aircraft, we are also seeking vintage aircraft to help celebrate the industry’s 100th anniversary.
NAAA will begin placing aircraft on the NAAA Trade Show floor in March. Savannah is a popular aircraft destination! Floor space for aircraft is first come, first served for exhibitors. Any additional aircraft that do not fit in the hall can be placed outside in Bryan Square.
In Savannah, aircraft are flown onto the pit area behind the Westin. Aircraft are then pulled over to the convention center by truck. Aircraft can also be trucked into Savannah. Please contact Lindsay Barber if you plan to exhibit an aircraft at the Ag Aviation Expo or are an operator interested in exhibiting a vintage aircraft.
Aircraft Exhibitor Schedule
- Saturday, Dec. 4 – Meeting at 4 p.m. for pilots who are flying aircraft in on Sunday. Aircraft trucked in can arrive at the convention center in the afternoon.
- Sunday, Dec. 5 (early morning) – Aircraft land onto Westin property and move into the convention center.
- Monday, Dec. 6 – Exhibitor Setup 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 7 – Exhibitor Setup 8–11:30 a.m., NAAA Trade Show Hours 12–5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 8 – Trade Show Hours 10 a.m.–4 p.m., teardown 4–10 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 9 (early morning) – Aircraft out of Savannah Convention Center and fly out.
2021 Hotel Details
The NAAA hotel room block details will be available in March.2021 Ag Aviation Expo Sponsorships
Thank you for your consideration of a 2021 Ag Aviation Expo Sponsorship. We have several sponsorship opportunities at multiple price points. Get your name and message in front of the aerial application audience. For more details on sponsorship, please email Lindsay Barber. Last year’s sponsors have the first right of refusal on their previous sponsorships.
NAAA Unveils Aerial Application 100th Anniversary Website as Part of Big 2021 PR Push
NAAA’s push to parlay the industry’s centennial into positive coverage gained steam last week with the unveiling of AgAviation100.com, a website devoted to promoting the agricultural aviation industry’s 100th anniversary. The website houses an in-depth timeline of the past 100 years of the industry that details important events, technologies and industry inventions. It also includes videos and other information on the industry’s history, importance and evolution.
The new website will serve as the online hub for promoting the aerial application industry to aviation, agriculture and news media, as well as those in the industry. Aerial application b-roll video footage and photos will soon be added to the press section of AgAviation100.com. The media elements will be available to download and marketed to the media as storytelling aids to help them construct their stories and TV segments about agricultural aviation on the industry’s 100th anniversary. The centennial website will continue to expand as the year progresses with more details on NAAA’s historical book and upcoming 100th anniversary events.
NAAA has tapped former Leadership Training Program instructor and PR consultant Steve Powell to help coordinate NAAA’s media and public outreach efforts surrounding the 100th anniversary. NAAA sent a media advisory to the major ag publications last week encouraging them to explore the role that 100 years of ag aviation has played in meeting the demands placed on farmers for efficient, environmentally sound food production. The advisory directed ag journalists to the press room of AgAviation100.com to view NAAA’s video about the first 100 years of ag aviation and the illustrated timeline showing the evolution of the industry. Additional announcements to aviation trade and news magazines, newspapers, social media and television sources will be sent informing them of the anniversary and industry information.
NAAA is also recruiting approximately 30 regional representatives to serve as designated spokespersons for media interviews in their areas. Media training will be provided to ensure consistent messaging as NAAA’s ag aviation ambassadors educate the media and the public about the important role of agricultural aviation. Powell will lead a series of media training sessions via Zoom, beginning in March, to prepare NAAA’s designated spokespersons for possible media interviews during the industry’s centennial coverage.
Bookmark AgAviation100.com and visit it throughout the year for updates on NAAA’s industry centennial events and initiatives!
COVID Relief Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgivable Loans Still Available
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering first draw and second draw Personal Protection Program loans until March 31 as part of the continued federal relief provided due to COVID-19. A business qualifies for a PPP loan if it has no more than 300 employees and can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between any one of comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. Eligibility also depends on the business’s gross income. Originally the PPP eligibility depended on the business’s net income. This change may make more businesses eligible. The loan may be used for payroll costs, including benefits, and to pay interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. Loans will be fully forgiven when employees are kept on the payroll.
A business may apply for a second draw loan only if it has received and used a first draw loan initially offered last spring. However, if the business did not apply for a first draw loan or was not eligible at that time, it may apply for the initial first draw loan at this time until March 31.
Many financial institutions are SBA lenders, and the best source of information is the lender. If you are unsure of who your SBA lender is, check the SBA website. More information from the SBA may be found here.
Last week, the Biden administration announced that businesses with less than 20 employees will have preferential treatment between Feb. 24 and March 9 to submit their PPP loan applications. Contact your SBA lender for more information.
Save on Recommended Replacement Interval Parts with PWC Commercial Support Programs
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) has active commercial support programs (CSP) to help operators comply with certain Service Bulletins (SBs). A CSP campaign provides operators with replacement parts at a significant discount to encourage compliance before a possible event may occur. Participating in a CSP is an opportunity to comply with a recommended replacement interval to address safety-of-flight issues. A CSP also provides a substantial savings on the cost of the replacement part(s).
Commercial support programs originate in a Service Bulletin (SB) as a reference document with the cause, reason and instructions for compliance. CSPs have a termination date at which time the parts affected will no longer be offered at reduced pricing. It is best practice to comply with SBs and take advantage of CSP programs to offset the expense of SB compliance. Only PWC’s owned shops or designated overhaul facilities (DOFs) can assist with the handling and administration of CSP programs. There are no credits offered against unused commercial support programs, so it is imperative to use the CSP before the termination date.
During the fourth quarter of 2020, Pratt & Whitney Canada issued two CSP notifications on engine models used in agricultural and firefighting operations. The first was an extension of the CSP program for engine model PT6A-67AG on second-stage PT blades.
Second-stage PT blades on the PT6A-67AG engine have a recommended replacement interval of 5,000 hours as stated in SB 14503. As the fleet size of -67AG powered ag aircraft has grown, more PT6A-67AG engines are approaching or have exceeded 5,000 hours. As part of the CSP program, Pratt & Whitney Canada is offering replacement second-stage PT blades at 50% off the list price for the replacement part. Replacing the PT blades at 5,000 hours during overhaul or hot section inspection (HSI) is recommended to minimize aircraft downtime. If you are operating an engine that has exceeded the 5,000-hour limit, contact your Pratt field service representative to help determine how you can take advantage of the commercial support program.
The second CSP program issued is for engines models PT6A-67AG and PT6A-67F. Pratt & Whitney Canada dispersed Service Bulletin 14549 in July 2020. It states that some engine small exit ducts have a row of cooling holes missing. The missing cooling holes may impact the durability of the hot section components. SB 14549 provides a summary for how to do a visual inspection for the holes and the action needed if the engine is found to be missing cooling holes. As part of the replacement, if needed, PWC is offering 50% off list for the replacement small exit duct and first-stage power turbine blades. If your small exit duct is found to be without the cooling holes, it downgrades the life limit of the first-stage power turbine blades to one overhaul period, which is 3,000 hours. The Service Bulletin provides a list of engines that Pratt & Whitney Canada suspects are affected.
It is very important that one’s maintenance provider receives current publications from the engine OEMs. The service publications will provide communication of inspections and product enhancements via the latest Service Information Letter (SIL), Service Bulletin and if a CSP is offered with each Service Bulletin issued. If you have questions or concerns on current PT6A Service Bulletins or commercial support programs, contact your maintenance provider or Pratt-designated overhaul facility for more information.