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NAAA Earns Strong Media Attention for Cover Crops Press Release

On Thursday, August 22, NAAA sent a press release about ag pilots working to seed cover crops to national agriculture and aviation media contacts. The press release has been picked up by RFD-TV, CropLife Magazine’s eNewsletter and Farm Journal’s AgWeb and The Daily Scoop.

CropLife Magazine’s eNewsletter is read by 23,000+ subscribers. Farm Journal’s AgWeb is read by 150,000 grower subscribers and The Daily Scoop eNewsletter is read by 20,000+ farmers, ag retailers and crop consultants nationwide.

RFD-TV’s Suzanne Alexander interviewed NAAA CEO Andrew Moore on Monday, August 26 in a segment for Market Day Report. View the broadcast here. Moore discussed the benefits of applying cover crop seeds to soil health and environmental protection and listed the benefits of aerially seeding them to augment those benefits. Market Day Report impressions average 500,000 people per week and is one of RFD-TV’s top-watched shows. RFD-TV is the #1 cable network for farmers & ranchers.

As reported in the August 15 eNewsletter, NAAA has prepared a cover crops 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.

Growing cover crops also increases soil carbon sequestration, which involves removing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 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.
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NAAA Submits Comments to EPA to Ensure Aerial Application Allowed for Two Pesticides

The PID for dicrotophos recommended the maximum application rate be reduced for aerial applications due to a risk of concern to mixers and loaders. NAAA recommended instead of reducing the rate, EPA instead require full PPE and a respirator when mixing and loading dicrotophos. Read NAAA comments on the PIDs for dicrotophos and dimethoate for additional details.

NAAA submitted comments last week to the EPA in response to the proposed interim decisions (PID) for two pesticides, dicrotophos and dimethoate. Both PIDs were based on risk assessments conducted using aerial drift estimates from the outdated and inaccurate Tier 1 model in AgDRIFT. Even though EPA has acknowledged they intend to move forward with NAAA’s recommendations to use the more accurate Tier 3 AgDRIFT model, older risk assessments are not being updated given EPA’s timeline to complete the current round of pesticide registration reviews.

The PIDs for both pesticides also require the use of wind-directional buffer zones to protect aquatic habitats and conservation areas. NAAA supported the use of wind-directional buffers instead of buffers zone that can never be sprayed but reminded EPA that the proposed buffer distances are based on the Tier 1 model and thus are unnecessarily long. Also, similar between the PIDs, was a 10-mph maximum wind speed limit. NAAA objected, pointing out numerous other pesticides that are allowed to be applied in a 15-mph wind. NAAA recommended EPA allow dicrotophos and dimethoate to be applied in winds up to 15 mph with the same mitigations used on many recent PIDs, such as a shorter boom length and greater upwind swath displacement when winds exceed 10 mph.
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NAAA Mourns the Loss of Jason Wimberly From Fatal Ag Aircraft Accident

The members and staff of NAAA offer their condolences to the family and friends of Jason Wimberly who was fatally injured in an ag aviation accident on August 23, 2024. Jason was born on March 7, 1973; he was 51 years old when he passed away. He was a native of Jackson, Mississippi.

Jason went to college at Mississippi State University. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served a tour in Iraq flying Blackhawk helicopters. After leaving the Army he continued his career in aviation, most recently as an ag aviator in Texas flying helicopters.

Jason is survived by his father, brother, sister, and numerous nieces and nephews. His visitation will be held on August 31, 2024, at 9:30 AM at the First Baptist Church Ridgeland, Mississippi. The funeral will be held at 11:00 AM following the visitation, followed by a private family burial. The family asks that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Jackson, First Baptist Church Ridgeland, or the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Click here to read Jason’s full obituary.
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Operation S.A.F.E. Analyst Training in Mississippi Canceled

The Operation S.A.F.E. analyst training that was scheduled for October 1-4, 2024 in Cleveland, Mississippi has been canceled due to low registration numbers. It is unknown at this time if and when the training might be rescheduled. NAAA will publicize future analyst training opportunities when they become available. To learn more about Operation S.A.F.E. click here.
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NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Attendee Registration Open

We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 18-21, a new convention destination for the Ag Aviation Expo. Attendee registration is now open for the annual convention. Exhibitors can purchase booth space here.

NAAA’s new registration system will allow you to register and pay for all events at one time. This includes:

  • Ag Aviation Expo registration for yourself, your spouse, children and other employees in your company.
  • Nov. 16 – Flying in the Wire & Obstruction Environment Course
  • Nov. 17 – NAAREF Fundraiser: Bucking for PAASS
  • Nov. 18 – Support Event at Billy Bob’s Texas

Besides great Ag Aviation Expo programming and speakers, you’ll enjoy a gold mine of offerings to eat, drink, and play in a great city. The cowboy way of life meets modern culture in Fort Worth, TX. This urban oasis is home to several entertainment districts (including a walkable downtown), an aviation museum, and the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive in the historic Stockyards. Be sure to visit Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk, featuring live music, line dancing, food, fun, and history.

Whether you’re an industry veteran or a low-time or no-time pilot, the Ag Aviation Expo promises to deliver invaluable insights, the latest technological advancements, and a chance to connect with peers from across the nation and the world. Join us in the heart of Texas for an unforgettable experience that will help you soar to new heights in your ag aviation journey.

Details for the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo

  • Dates: Nov. 18-21, 2024
  • Location: Fort Worth Convention Center and Omni (across the street from Convention Center)
  • Kickoff Breakfast Speaker: Kevin Humphreys, War Veteran, PTSD Counselor, Mental Health Ambassador
  • Schedule of Events: See the current, tentative schedule here
  • NAAA Hotel Room Block: Details here
  • Attendee Registration: Details here
  • Exhibitor Booth Sales Open
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: View the sponsorships opportunities here. We have sponsorships available for all budget sizes. Please email Lindsay Barber if you would like to secure a sponsorship or learn more!

Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a PT6-34AG to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. While we are still several months away from the Ag Aviation Expo, we are already accepting donations for the Live and Silent Auction. The earlier you inform us of your auction donation, the more advertising you will receive on the NAAA website and in NAAA publications. Support the aerial application industry by donating an item today. Contact Amy May for questions or your donation details.
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AD Proposed for MD Helicopters 369 and 500 Tail Rotor Pedal Support Brackets 

The FAA has proposed adopting a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain MD Helicopters Model 369 and 500 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracked magnesium cast tail rotor (T/R) pedal support brackets.  

The proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting magnesium cast T/R pedal support brackets having P/N 369A7505-7, 369A7505-8, 369A7505-14, or 369A7505-15, and aluminum cast T/R pedal support brackets having P/N 369N2640-1 or 369N2640-2.  If cracks or corrosion are found, replacement with an applicable aluminum cast T/R pedal support bracket would be required. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing magnesium cast T/R pedal support brackets on any helicopter. 

Comments are due October 15th. You can find the proposed AD here. 
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AD Issued for Bell 205 Tailboom Attachment Cap Angles  

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-18-09, which required repetitive 100-hour time-in-service (TIS) inspections of the upper left-hand cap angle (cap angle) for cracks on certain Bell Textron Model 412 helicopters. 

Since the FAA issued the original AD, Bell Textron has received additional reports of fractured cap angles which were found during routine and 100-hour TIS inspections. Further investigation revealed the 100-hour TIS interval is not adequate to detect cracks before fracture of a cap angle could occur. 

The superseding AD, in-line with applicable Bell Textron Alert Service Bulletins (ASB), reduces the inspection interval to 25 hours TIS. It also expands applicability to Model 212, 205A, 205A-1 and 205B helicopters. 

You can view AD 2024-16-01 here. 

Bell Textron subsequently issued a similar ASB for Model UH-1H helicopters in June of this year which has not yet been incorporated into an AD by FAA. 
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AD Superseded for AT-802 Air Tankers 

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-15-07, which applied to all Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes with Wipaire, Inc. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA01795CH installed. AD 2023-15-07 required repetitive 200-hour time-in-service (TIS) inspections of the left and right forward horizontal stabilizer spars for cracks, replacing any forward horizontal stabilizer spar found cracked, and reporting inspection results to the FAA. 

As a result of the reports of the inspections required by AD 2023-15-07, additional cracks have been found in the forward horizontal stabilizer spar, including cracks found before the airplane accumulated 200 hours TIS after installation of the STC. Accordingly, the FAA determined that reducing the inspection interval is necessary. In addition, based on a new fatigue analysis, the FAA determined that there is the potential for cracks in the rear horizontal stabilizer spar.  

Wipaire, Inc. has developed a change to its STC, which incorporates an improved design that includes modification kits to install bathtub fittings on the horizontal stabilizer spars to mitigate this condition by improving the structural load path. This includes more accessible repetitive inspection intervals of 110 hours TIS. 

This superseding AD requires: 

  1. Repetitively inspecting the left and right, forward and rear, horizontal stabilizer spars for cracks at 110-hour TIS intervals, and replacing any horizontal stabilizer spar found cracked or damaged.  
  1. Within 300 hours TIS or within 12 months after the AD effective date, installing bathtub fittings per Wipaire Service Letter 253, Revision D, dated July 3, 2024. 
  1. After installing the bathtub fittings, repetitive 110-hour TIS interval inspections of the horizontal stabilizer spars for cracks, elongated holes and corrosion. 
  1. Within 5 days after each inspection outlined in (1) and (3) above, reporting information to FAA, regardless of whether cracks are found. 

AD 2024-16-06 is effective September 4, 2024.
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In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the August 22, 2024 eNewsletter to read:

  • FAA Safety Team Holds Second Part 137 Drone Safety Webinar
  • Richard Packer, Longtime Supporter of the Aerial Application Industry & NAAA, Passes
  • Participate in FarmTrak TODAY to Protect Your Chemical and Seed Choices
  • 2025 NAAA Membership Renewal Now Open
  • NAAA Offering Three Scholarship Programs in 2024; Deadline Approaching Quickly

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