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Cover Crops Press Release Available for Members to Send to Local Media Outlets

While the season for aerial applicators is still going strong in parts of the country and beginning to slow down in others, many applicators are seeding cover crop seeds into late summer and early fall. NAAA has prepared a sample press release (this link will open a Word document) that you can personalize to your own aerial application business and send to your local media outlets. The press release serves the purpose of alerting the public that they may still see and hear your ag plane working. It also educates the public on the great conservation practice of seeding cover crops.

A direct link to the press release is here or you can access it through the Media Kit link on the NAAA website.

Aerial applicators seed 3.8 million acres of cover crops annually which means they are responsible for helping to sequester 1.9 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually. According to the EPA, this would be the equivalent of removing approximately 412,000 cars with carbon-combustion engines from the roads each year.

Aerial application offers the ability to spread cover crop seeds over the existing cash crop without any disruption to the standing crop. This means the cover crop can already be established when the cash crop is harvested. Using a drill to plant cover crops requires a terrestrial vehicle and for the grower to wait until their cash crop is out of the field, which might not be the best timing for establishing a healthy cover crop. This can be especially true in northern parts of the U.S. where the first frost can interfere with cover crop growth if they are seeded too late.

Farmers using climate-smart agricultural conservation practices, such as no-till and cover cropping, may be eligible for the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, and Conservation Technical Assistance producer-led grants and cost-share programs.    
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 NAAA Comments on UAS BVLOS Petition from Zipline

This week NAAA submitted comments to the FAA regarding a petition by Zipline to amend some of the conditions and limitations (C&Ls) specified in its current exemption to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) package delivery operations with its uncrewed aircraft system (UAS). There were three key points on which NAAA expressed opposition: 

  1. Allowing the PIC to hold a US Driver’s License in lieu of a third-class medical certificate 
  1. Relaxing, rephrasing and removal of some monthly collision avoidance reporting 
  1. Approval to conduct operations with a known inoperative anti-collision lighting system 

The petition also seeks to “provide the FAA with flexibility” to amend their authorized operations in the future without rulemaking by inserting “unless otherwise authorized” in certain key C&Ls. NAAA’s commented against this practice, as it serves to obfuscate and, in some cases, purposefully sidestep the C&Ls as stated. 

You can view NAAA’s comments here. 
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Heinen Brothers Agra Services in KS is First U.S. Customer of Pyka’s Pelican Spray UAS for Aerial Applications

According to a joint press release, Pyka has named NAAA member, Heinen Brothers Agra Services, as its first Pelican Spray customer in the United States.

Based in Seneca, Kansas, Heinen Brothers is one of North America’s largest privately owned aerial application service providers. Pyka, known for manufacturing and distributing the Pelican Spray—an advanced, autonomous electric crop protection aircraft—has now partnered with Heinen Brothers who will immediately integrate the Pelican Spray into its existing fleet.

This partnership follows Pyka’s recent FAA approval for commercial use of the Pelican Spray in the U.S., which is noted as the largest Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) authorized by the FAA for commercial operations . The Pelican Spray can carry up to 540 lbs (70 gallons) of liquid and spray up to 240 acres per hour. It has a 400 pound max payload in 70 cubic feet of cargo volume. Its range with max payload is 200 miles / 320 km (+20 min reserve). The Pelican Spray’s required runway is 820 ft x 27 ft / 250 m x 8 m with takeoff run with max payload of 500 ft / 150m.

Stay tuned to NAAA’s Fall 2024 Agricultural Aviation magazine for an article about crewed aircraft operators who have integrated uncrewed aircraft systems into their operation and an update on drone companies.
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AD Proposed for MD Helicopters 369 and 500 Torque Tube and Roller Bearings

The FAA has proposed adopting a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain MD Helicopters Model 369 and 500N helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a seized and damaged roller bearing in the pilot interconnecting cyclic torque tube assembly. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the torque tube assembly for freedom-of-movement, corrosion and cracks as well as the roller bearings for corrosion and degradation. Depending on the results, this proposed AD would require replacing parts or accomplishing additional inspections. 

Comments are due September 23rd. You can find the proposed AD here. 
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Operation S.A.F.E. Analyst Training – October 2024 – Cleveland, MS

Advanced Turbine Training, LLC and Delta State University will be hosting an Operation S.A.F.E. Analyst training course Oct. 1-4, 2024 in Cleveland, MS at the Cleveland Municipal Airport (KRNV). WRK of Arkansas and WRK of Oklahoma will co-conduct the course, which will include two packed days of classroom instruction followed by a student-led pattern testing clinic at KRNV.

This training is open to anyone seeking to become an Operation S.A.F.E. Analyst or Technician; no previous experience required. In addition, it will serve as a great refresher for current/past Analysts seeking renewal.

There is high demand for trained Analysts across the US and abroad. Whether you would like to start pattern testing your own operation’s aircraft or use your skills to consult with other operators, becoming a NAAREF-recognized Operation S.A.F.E. Analyst can be a valuable professional investment.

If you have a particularly astute individual in your ground crew, maybe an aspiring ag pilot, consider this as an avenue of opportunity. This training will provide them with knowledge and skills which they can bring back to your operation.

View the Course Brochure/Syllabus. The course cost is $3,000 if registered before August 23, 2024. To register, or direct questions about the course, contact either:

George Moore: +1 (281) 732-4254 or Dennis R. Gardisser: +1 (501) 676-1762
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NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Oct. 10-12 in Chattanooga, TN

The October 2024 NAAA & NAAREF Board and Committee meetings will take place in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Click here to view a schedule. Please note: All board books are provided electronically. Board and Committee members will receive a link and directions to download the electronic board book approximately one week before the meetings. The board book can be downloaded to your computer, tablet or you can print your committee items.

All meetings are open to NAAA members. If you are not a board or committee member but you’re interested in attending, please contact Lindsay Barber for more details.

Hotel Details

DoubleTree Hotel Chattanooga
407 Chestnut Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402 

Hotel Phone: (423) 756-5150

Rate: $129/night plus tax 

Reservations: Book online here or call (423) 756-5150 and mention National Agricultural Aviation Association Board Meeting. If you have issues booking a hotel room, please email Lindsay Barber with your arrival and departure dates.

Room Block Closes:  Sept. 16, 2024. We cannot guarantee rates and room availability after this date.   

Chattanooga, TN Information: Further information on Chattanooga can be found online at https://www.visitchattanooga.com/.
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In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the August 8, 2024 eNewsletter to read:

  • Lejeune Aerial Applications’ Crew, USA Rice and NAAA Team Up to Educate EPA and USDA on Aerial Applications Vital Role in Crop Production
  • Beware of Fraudulent Companies Trying to Book Hotel Rooms for NAAA Ag Aviation Expo
  • 2024 Ag Aviation Golf Tournament Oct. 19-20
  • Happy 103rd Birthday Aerial Application Industry
  • NAAA Releases New Guide to the Part 137 Certification Process 
  • NAAA’s ‘Ag Wings of Tomorrow’ Scholarship

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