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Flying Magazine Spotlights Aerial Application Industry in October 24 Feature

Flying magazine published a riveting article on the importance and complexity of today’s aerial application industry. The article is titled “Cream of the Crop Dusting.”  Read it by clicking here.  Flying magazine is the largest aviation magazine in existence with a print readership of 160,000 per issue, 410,000 monthly visitors to its website and a social media presence with nearly 450,000 followers.

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Juror Volunteers Needed for Aerial Drift Mock Trial at NAAA Ag Aviation Expo General Session

The NAAA Ag Aviation Expo General Session will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19 in Fort Worth, TX, and will feature a mock trial presented by the law firm of Anderson & Riddle, LLP. The attorneys at Anderson & Riddle have been representing aerial applicators in all types of matters for over 31 years. Founding partner Geff Anderson handled his first drift claim in 1993. Partner Jim Kiser has represented aerial applicators for several years. The mock trial will present a direct and cross-examination of a pilot and an expert witness in an aerial drift case.

We are looking for 8-10 attendees to act as juror volunteers who will debate and determine the outcome of the mock trial. Please email Lindsay Barber if you’d like to participate. Volunteers must attend the Tuesday, Nov. 19 mock trial in person.

View the full schedule of events and register online.

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Texas A&M Undergraduate Student Wins Award for Research on Value of Ag Aviation Industry

Last week NAAA learned that a member of the Texas A&M University team researching the economic value of the agricultural aviation industry won an award for her work on the project. Kaitlynn Hughes won the Food Distribution Research Society (FDRS) 2024 Best Undergraduate Research in Food Distribution and Marketing award at the FDRS annual conference in Puerto Rico.

Kaitlyn is an undergraduate student in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. She is advised by Dr. Senarath Dharmasena, also with Texas A&M, and Dr. Daniel Martin, who is part of the USDA-ARS Aerial Application Technology Research Unit. The work by this team focuses on documenting the economic value the agricultural aviation industry has on the economy. Their work has been presented during the Aerial Application Technology Session at several Ag Aviation Expos: 2020, 2021, and 2023, which was presented by Kaitlyn.

NAAA uses the valuable information from these studies to provide evidence of the importance of the agricultural aviation industry to government agencies, politicians, pesticide registrants, and the public. Some key statistics gleaned from the research include:

  • The annual value of the agricultural aviation industry to the U.S. economy for just corn, soybean, wheat, cotton, and rice is $37 billion.
  • Without ag aviation, the U.S would see a loss of 1.7 billion bushels of corn every year.
  • 27.4 million acres of additional cropland would be needed every year to support the current yields for corn, soybean, wheat, cotton, and rice if aerial application was not available to protect these crops, this is land equivalent of the state of Tennessee.

NAAA congratulates Kaitlyn on her well-deserved award!

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Saddle Up for Fun: Join NAAREF’s Bucking for PAASS Fundraiser to Raise Money for NAAREF & PAASS!

Saddle up for an unforgettable experience as NAAREF hosts another entertaining fundraising event for NAAREF and PAASS at the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. Join us for Bucking for PAASS, a rip-roaring good time where participants can ride a mechanical bull to raise money for PAASS. You don’t need to ride the bull to participate!

Test your cowboy or cowgirl skills as you mount the mechanical bull and hold on for dear life! Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a first-timer, this exhilarating activity promises laughter, cheers, and maybe a few falls (but always in good fun!). Winners will be those that stay on the bull the longest and will receive a special prize plus a gift certificate at the Support Booth on the convention floor to purchase NAAA swag.  This is a terrific social event with the added benefit of raising money for NAAREF and PAASS and the lifesaving and environmental stewardship benefits those entities achieve.

Registration: This event is a donation to NAAREF. Register here (once logged in, click 2024 Ag Aviation Expo to register as part of the expo registration). The cost to attend is $110 per person. We recommend enjoying dinner at one of the many excellent local restaurants before the event begins, if you prefer a heartier dinner. Registrants will receive two drink tickets  and pizza will be available.

Thank you to sponsors of the Bucking for PAASS Event: Aero Guard Aviation Insurance, AgAir Update, Air Tractor, AssuredPartners Aerospace, Lane Aviation, Starr Insurance, Thrush Aircraft, Transland, Turbine Conversions

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NAAA Now Offering Healthcare Options to NAAA Members

Rising health insurance premiums have become a significant concern for both individuals and employers across the country. NAAA works continuously to identify opportunities that enhance the benefits available to our members. Over the past few years, we’ve received requests for access to more affordable, quality health and life insurance plans than what the aerial application operators and ag pilots in our industry may currently have access to.

We are excited to announce that NAAA has worked with a large insurance broker to offer insurance options to NAAA members. Whether you’re looking for health insurance for yourself and/or your employees, we’ve got you covered. The NAAA Benefits Center program provides comprehensive plans for both individuals and employers, regardless of group size, with guaranteed coverage for all participants. 

This program guarantees coverage for all participants, with no health questions asked, resulting in no exclusion for pre-existing conditions. The NAAA Benefits Center offers financial and medical stability, ensuring peace of mind for those seeking reliable and affordable health insurance. 

Do you have pre-existing conditions? NAAA Benefits Center has you covered with CoreChoice health plans featuring the Anthem Blue Card PPO network. These guaranteed issue plans require no health questions, providing access to one of the largest nationwide networks of doctors and specialists. With seven plans to choose from and rates that have only increased once in six years, there’s a solution for everyone—from individuals to businesses with W2 employees.

Now is the time to consider your health benefits renewal! Take control of your healthcare expenses today and learn more at NAAA Benefits Center. You may also access the NAAA Health Care plan from the membership tab at AgAviation.org and then clicking Health Insurance Benefits.

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2025 NAAA Membership Renewal Now Open

Thank you for your support as a 2024 member of NAAA. We request your continued support by renewing your NAAA membership for 2025 today. While you have been busy aiding farmers to produce a safe, affordable, and abundant supply of food, fiber, and bioenergy, NAAA has been busy making sure low-altitude airspace is safe for your aerial application business to operate, as well as ensuring that you have the pesticide products you need to do your job. Several of NAAA’s accomplishments this year, on your behalf and to ensure your success, include:

  • NAAA will soon be offering health and life insurance options for members. More details will be available this fall.
  • NAAA worked to secure permission from the FAA to use frequency 122.925 for radio communications between agricultural aircraft to operate safely.
  • NAAA lobbied for the FAA Reauthorization Bill to include NAAA language ensuring the safety of manned aircraft from drone activity in BVLOS airspace and language establishing a deadline to the FAA to promulgate tower marking and logging.
  • Since 2017, NAAA has submitted over 300 comments to the EPA to keep aerial applications on pesticide labels with great success enabling you to keep a deep inventory of pesticide tools without unnecessary and burdensome restrictions.
  • NAAA’s 2024 articles appearing in Farm Journal publications, along with the “Aerial Application: Above All Forms of Crop Care” ad campaign and accompanying web search tool identifying member businesses, have been widely circulated to hundreds of thousands of potential aerial application users.
  • NAAA and NAAREF have grown the C-PAASS certification learning center to include online learning for aerial applicators who want to augment their professionalism and be recognized and rewarded by their insurance providers, pesticide manufacturers, regulators, and customers. Learn more at https://education.agaviation.org/.
  • New membership database, allowing for automatic renewal and single invoicing of all memberships at your operation or company. Contact information@agaviation.org for further details.

In 2025, you will continue to receive ongoing benefits such as discounts for attending or exhibiting at the Ag Aviation Expo, connect with members through the print and online NAAA Membership Directory and receive Association publications, eNewsletters, social media briefings and substantive web content at AgAviation.org. Log into your account on our website to pay your 2025 NAAA membership invoice. Details at AgAviation.org/membership.

Please make it a priority to renew your NAAA membership—the payoff far exceeds what you will spend in dues in the form of effective advocacy that reduces regulation and taxes affecting your aerial application business and trade association membership dues are tax deductible.

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In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the October 24, 2024 eNewsletter to read:

  • NAAA Joins Broad Coalition of National Agricultural Groups Supporting Modern Agricultural Technologies to Federal Lawmakers in Wake of Recent Activist and Senator Claims
  • Many Auction Items Up for Bid at NAAA Live Auction; Letter of Credit Required for PT6A-34AG Engine
  • NAAA Now Offering Healthcare Options to NAAA Members
  • 2025 NAAA Membership Renewal Now Open

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