Click on the article title below to be taken directly to the article. After you’re done reading the article, click “Back to Top” at the bottom to be brought back to the Table of Contents.

Table of Contents

Happy Independence Day from NAAA!

NAAA Visits with Global Agri-Chemical Manufacturer Valent Promoting Ag Aviation

As part of its mission working to ensure a wide inventory of agri-chemical products remain available for the aerial application industry, NAAA visited with North American corporate leaders for Valent, a global crop protection product manufacturer. Valent’s parent company is Sumitomo Chemical. Valent presented to NAAA CEO Andrew Moore and NAAA Consultant Jay Vroom with DCLRS (former president and CEO of CropLife America) about its impressive environmental stewardship mindset and its portfolio of herbicides (Maverick, Regiment, Zeltera, Rapidicil), fungicides (Indiflin) and numerous other products supporting multiple crops. NAAA informed Valent corporate leaders about the many technical advancements in the aerial application industry to ensure targeted applications and use of atmospheric drift models that helps to facilitate the EPA registration of pesticides for aerial use. NAAA also presented Valent with a number of its marketing programs—from convention to PAASS sponsorship to magazine advertising—to reach aerial applicators.

L to R: Steve Tatum, Valent senior corporate communications manager; Eric Tamichi, Valent vice president, regulatory strategy and formulations; Jay Vroom, DCLRS and Andrew Moore, NAAA CEO.
L to R: Tatum, Tamichi, Moore and Vroom.


Back to top

Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Doctrine Likely Leading to More Challenges to Federal Agency Regulations

Last week the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine, established in 1984, which had directed courts to defer to federal agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous laws. This Supreme Court decision states that the Administrative Procedures Act does not require executive agencies to be given deference in their rule making when a term in a statute is ambiguous. The 6-3 decision opens a new chapter in the balance of power between the federal government and the courts. The decision could lead to more conflicting decisions on regulatory challenges and require Congress to write statutes with specificity to avoid legal ambiguities. It is a significant decision and will open up federal agency rulemaking to increased litigation in the future. Many policy analysts are stating that the Supreme Court decision could chip away at numerous federal agency regulations, including some recent Biden administration policies, by leading to more challenges of agency regulations in court and could potentially slow down or complicate the regulatory process across various sectors of government.
Back to top

Aerial Application Industry Mourns Loss of Scott Wayne Rainey

Scott Wayne Rainey of Obion, Tennessee lost is his life on June 25, 2024, in the seventh fatal ag aviation accident of 2024. Scott was born on March 7, 1963, in Union City, Tennessee and was 61 years old when he passed away. The members and staff of NAAA offer their condolences to Scott’s family and friends.

Scott was the Owner/Operator for Rainey Aerial AG Service, Inc. He was involved with numerous boards and associations, including being a lifelong member of NAAA. Scott is survived by his father, his wife, two sons, a brother and sister and their spouses, two nieces, and several great nieces and nephews.

Scott’s visitation was held on Friday, June 28, 2024, with funeral services taking place the following day at the Community Bible Church in Union City, TN. Click here to read Scott’s full obituary. Memorials can be sent to the Community Bible Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please keep those Scott left behind in your prayers as they mourn his loss.
Back to top

July is Ag Aviation’s Busiest Month for Hours and Accidents, Brush Up on Your Fly Safe Messages

July is the month with the greatest pest pressure and hence the busiest time of the year for Agriculture’s Air Force to protect U.S. cropland. Unfortunately, it is also the month that accumulates the highest number of ag aviation accidents, including fatal ones. Before July 1, 2024, there were already seven fatal ag accidents.

This July doesn’t have to be like all the others. NAAA has a plethora of information to keep safety at the forefront, and it is proven that our continuing education resources reduce ag aviation accidents, in addition to enhancing our environmental professionalism. So tap into our huge inventory of Fly Safe messages that address accident prevention and digest them daily to keep safety at the forefront of your mind and make July an accident-free month.
Back to top

Booth Sales Begin Next Thursday for the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo Begin July 11

Join us for the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 18-21. Booth Sales for 10×10 and 10×20 space begin on Thursday, July 11. Exhibiting is a great way to boost your brand visibility and get your company name in front of an expected 1,500+ attendees. Please review pricing and the booth purchase directions here. Contact Lindsay Barber if you plan to purchase an island space or 10×30 or larger.

In addition to attending the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo, Fort Worth is full of great restaurants, bars, fun activities, and Texas hospitality! You can visit the Historic Stockyards for the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive, stop by Billy Bob’s, the world’s largest honkey tonk, or shop and dine in the 35-block Sundance Square entertainment district. The Fort Worth Aviation Museum is also a must-see.

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 July 11 for 10×10 and 10×20 space here
  • 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.

Back to top

In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the June 27, 2024 eNewsletter to read:

  • FAA Safety Team Reminds Part 137 Drone Pilots to Know and Follow the Rules
  • NAAA CEO Quoted for Ambrook Research Article on Drones
  • Sixth Fatal Ag Accident of 2024 Claims the Life of Sage Teichert

Back to top