, 202
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
- NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Soars to New Heights in the Lone Star State of Texas
- NAAA Joins Large Coalition of Agricultural Groups Advocating to Trump Administration for Appointees with Science and Risk-based Decision-Making Experience
- NAAA Comments on Two Endangered Species Evaluations from EPA to Protect Aerial Applications
- After Two Decades of NAAA Advocacy, FAA Proposes Requirements for Marking and Logging Locations of Meteorological Towers
- AD Issued for MD Helicopters 369 and 500 Torque Tube and Roller Bearings
NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Soars to New Heights in the Lone Star State of Texas
Last week’s NAAA Ag Aviation Expo set a new benchmark for success, with record-breaking attendance and all the action unfolding in the vibrant Lone Star State. With its rich history, enjoyable town and ease of travel for so many members, Fort Worth proved to be the perfect location for this year’s annual convention, which brought together ag pilots, allied companies, support crew, researchers and other industry professionals from across the country and beyond.
Held at the Fort Worth Convention Center and Omni Fort Worth, the event drew 1,812 attendees, and 165 exhibitors, marking the highest attendance in the past two decades. This year’s exhibit hall was a sight to behold, with two Air Tractors, one Thrush, a Robinson Helicopter, a Schweizer helicopter exhibited with Isloair and Rotor Technologies unmanned helicopter. The exhibit hall aisles included high-tech displays, product demonstrations and a sense of enthusiasm from exhibitors eager to connect with prospective customers.
Because of the great location and ease of travel for many members to drive to Fort Worth or fly into the Dallas/Fort Worth area, in addition to the growing excitement of the new location, the Ag Aviation Expo was the cornerstone for ag aviation professionals to meet and share ideas, showcase cutting-edge innovations and build new and lasting relationships.
Beyond the exhibit hall, the convention featured a packed schedule of sessions and networking events to foster learning and knowledge exchange. Attendees were treated to a stellar lineup of keynote speakers, such as Kickoff Breakfast speaker Kevin Humphreys, an insurance mock trial coordinated by Anderson & Riddle, and concurrent sessions, which covered a wide range of topics, including airframe, helicopters, engine and pesticide updates, as well as news and training from Allied members. New and low-time pilot sessions were packed full of aerial application newbies who made connections and learned from veteran operators, pilots and industry insurance representatives.
The 2024 Live and Silent Auctions raised important and necessary funds to support NAAA programs and services. The association is thankful for all the companies and individuals that support NAAA programs by donating an auction item. A special thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for donating a brand-new PT6A-34AG engine and to Air Tractor for their custom golf cart, in addition to many other great donations. Congratulations to Logan Lane of Lane Aviation in Rosenberg, Texas, for being the highest bidder on the Pratt & Whitney Canada engine.
NAAA was honored to have 41 companies sponsor different events and we are very appreciative of their support. Thank you to all sponsors, including the Diamond sponsors: BASF, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Syngenta, the Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation and UPL.
Many great sessions took place during the week, including the Kickoff Breakfast and General Session, many of which will be detailed in the Winter 2025 Agricultural Aviation magazine. Save the date for November 17-19, 2025, and join us in Reno, Nevada, for the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo.
After Two Decades of NAAA Advocacy, FAA Proposes Requirements for Marking and Logging Locations of Meteorological Towers
Following nearly two decades of lobbying by NAAA, the FAA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to codify requirements for owners (termed “sponsors” by FAA) of meteorological towers (METs) to identify them in the interest of low-altitude aviation safety. Specifically, this NPRM applies to all existing METs, as well as proposals to construct or alter a MET, with the highest point of the structure at least 50 feet AGL up to and including 200 feet AGL, hereafter referred to as an “applicable MET.”
Sponsors of proposed applicable METs will now be required to file a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration (notice) with FAA, who will conduct an aeronautical study and issue a determination stating whether the proposed construction or alteration would be a hazard to air navigation. If a Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation is issued, it will include marking and lighting requirements determined using Advisory Circular 70/7460-1. This NPRM explicitly codifies the requirement to mark newly constructed or altered applicable METs.
Sponsors of existing applicable METs, whether active or inactive, will be required to file notice within 90 days of the Final Rule. Structures which have already received a Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation and applicable METs for which construction is completed prior to the Final Rule will not be subject to marking requirements.
The FAA plans to update the existing Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA) online airspace obstruction mapping tool to include filters for METs. With the NPRM’s proposed requirement of all existing and proposed MET Sponsors to file notice, this database will become a comprehensive source for MET information including structure type, location, height, elevation and marking. In addition, OE/AAA includes functionality to subscribe via email for updates on new obstructions in a pre-defined geographical area.
While NAAA is still processing this NPRM, there is no question that this is excellent news for the safety of aerial applicators and a victory for the association. A national database of METs will serve as a preflight planning tool and the requirement for sponsors to file notice will ensure applicators aren’t caught off guard by a tower erected overnight when the sponsor properly follows these proposed regulations. Further, the proper marking of all future METs and associated guy wires will aid in maintaining situational awareness in the field.
Comments on this NPRM are due January 17, 2025. NAAA will be submitting comments in support of it and will be organizing a grassroots campaign encouraging aerial applicators across the country to also submit supportive comments.
NAAA Joins Large Coalition of Agricultural Groups Advocating to Trump Administration for Appointees with Science and Risk-based Decision-Making Experience
NAAA joined 221 agricultural organizations throughout the nation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s transition team expressing enthusiasm for working with the upcoming administration leaders to ensure that America continues to have the safest, most affordable food, feed, and fiber supplies in the world. The letter also expressed agricultural coalition leaders’ eagerness to support administration nominees and appointees who commit to science- and risk-based decision making that will ensure that policy is factually based and efficient in ensuring consumer health and safety. To read a copy of the letter, please click here.
NAAA Comments on Two Endangered Species Evaluations from EPA to Protect Aerial Applications
NAAA recently submitted comments to EPA on the biological evaluations (BE) for two pesticides: benzovindiflupyr and bicyclopyrone. A biological evaluation is the first step in assessing the risk a pesticide may present to endangered species and critical habitat. EPA sends the biological evaluation on the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (the Services) so they can conduct their own analysis and issue a biological opinion. After that, EPA consults with the Services to determine appropriate mitigations to protect endangered species.
The BEs for both pesticides were conducted using the Tier 1 AgDRIFT model. EPA recently accepted NAAA’s recommendations to switch from the Tier 1 to the Tier 3 AgDRIFT model with most of NAAA’s suggested assumptions for the variables within the model. This more accurate model shows a reduced amount of drift from aerial applications, and NAAA asked EPA to consider this later in the consultation process when mitigations are proposed.
Another similarity between the two BEs was the mention of existing buffer zones on the labels for products containing the two pesticides. NAAA recommended that these buffer zones should be wind directional, similar to the buffer zones proposed in other recent endangered species strategies and registration review decisions from the EPA. The BE for bicyclopyrone recommended a wind speed limit of 10 mph; NAAA recommended increasing that to 15 mph citing the new Tier 3 model and numerous other recent EPA registration decisions that increased the wind speed limit from 10 to 15 mph based on NAAA’s input.
AD Issued for MD Helicopters 369 and 500 Torque Tube and Roller Bearings
The FAA has issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain MD Helicopters Model 369 and 500N helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a seized and damaged roller bearing in the pilot interconnecting cyclic torque tube assembly. This AD requires 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 AD requires replacing parts or accomplishing additional inspections.
AD 2024-23-06 is effective December 24, 2024.
In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter
Click here for the November 14, 2024 eNewsletter to read:
- Top 10 Tips for Success at the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo
- Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment Course, Saturday, Nov. 16
- Tenth Annual Red Apple Golf Tournament
- Stay Updated with the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo App: Your Essential Guide to the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo
- AD Proposed for AStar/TwinStar Helicopters