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Ag Aviation Industry Mourns Loss of Kyle Scott in Ag Aviation Accident

Kyle Scott tragically lost his life on September 5, 2024, in the 13th fatal ag aviation accident of 2024. He was born on April 21, 1972, and was 52 years old at the time of his passing. The members and staff of NAAA offer their condolences to those he leaves behind.

Kyle was involved in both ag aviation and aerial firefighting in SEAT aircraft. He founded his ag operation, Scott Aviation, in Fort Morgan, Colorado in 2001. This was followed by co-founding CO Fire Aviation in 2019.  Kyle was strong advocate for the ag aviation industry and was long time member of both NAAA and Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association. He had served as an officer in both associations. He was also a member and president of the SEAT Operators Association.

Beyond his passion for flying, Kyle enjoyed numerous outdoor activities and spending time with his family in their cabin. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, father, brother, and sister. Kyle’s memorial service will be September 14th at 1:00 PM at the Fort Morgan Municipal Airport, 23101 State Hwy 52, Fort Morgan, CO. Memorial donations may be made to the Kyle Scott Memorial Fund at FMS Bank, 520 Sherman Street, Fort Morgan, CO 80701. The funds will be used to support scholarships in the aviation industry. Click here to read his full obituary. Please keep Kyle’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve for his loss.
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Third FAASTeam Part 137 Drone Safety Webinar Featured NAAA CEO Andrew Moore Talking About the Importance of Professional Aerial
Application Associations

The third FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) Pro Tips for Part 137 UAS Pilots and Operators webinar was held on the evening of September 10, 2024. This was a follow up to earlier Part 137 drone safety webinars held in June and August. A recording of this week’s webinar can be viewed here. There were 159 attendees.

The webinar began with a reminder about the importance of part 137 drone operations developing a safety culture. Industry moderators Jeramy Williams and Joel Jones stressed to the audience that safety can’t take a back seat at part 137 drone operations.

The featured speaker of the webinar was NAAA CEO Andrew Moore. He gave a thorough overview of all the work NAAA does to promote and protect the entire aerial application industry, including public relations, ensuring pesticides are available for aerial applicators, supporting aerial application technology research, organizing education programs, and the Ag Aviation Expo, etc. Moore also talked about the formation of NAAA’s new Uncrewed Aerial Application Systems (UAAS) Committee.

There are more webinars planned for this series throughout next year, covering numerous topics including registering drones with the FAA, getting insured, and acquiring a 44807 exemption. Recordings of all of the webinars can also be found at www.theagdronepodcast.com.
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NAAA Helps Ensure Aerial Applications of Methomyl Can Continue

Last week NAAA submitted comments to the EPA on the biological opinion (BiOp) for methomyl. A BiOp is part of the pesticide registration review process and evaluates the potential threats a pesticide represents to endangered species and their critical habitat. Decisions from the BiOp are incorporated into the final registration review decision and label language.

Once again NAAA commented that all risk assessments for drift from aerial applications were based on the inaccurate Tier 1 model in AgDRIFT and that EPA should move to the Tier 3 model. While EPA has publicly stated both in person and in writing that they intend to move forward with NAAA’s recommendations, NAAA wants to be on record for every document for which the Tier 1 model is used.

NAAA also stressed to EPA that all buffer zones need to be wind directional. Having an upwind buffer zone effectively removes agricultural land from being productive and does nothing to protect an endangered species because drift doesn’t move upwind. NAAA opposed the proposal in the BiOp to potentially reduce the application rate for methomyl, stating resistance as a major concern when pesticide rates are reduced.

Finally, NAAA cautioned EPA against banning aerial applications of methomyl or any other pesticide in Hawaii simply because aerial application is rare in the state. The spread of exotic pests, which can represent both a threat to agriculture and the very species the BiOp is trying to protect, can quickly change the need to employ aerial applications. To read NAAA’s full comments, click here.
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Air Tractor Aircraft Exhibits at Farm Progress Show

Air Tractor exhibited its AT-802 at the Farm Progress Show August 27-29 in Boone, Iowa.  The Farm Progress Show is a well-rounded show for farmers to connect and do business with a wide variety of exhibitors. The show regularly has 150,000 – 200,000 domestic and international attendees.

Chris Lockhart, sales coordinator at Air Tractor said, “We had a great location directly as people entered the northeast gate and across from the Case IH booth.”

Lockhart explained that the excitement from visitors, many of whom were thrilled to see an ag plane up close when they usually only see the aircraft flying overhead, was palpable. Many expressed surprise at the plane’s size. While attendees waited to tour the inside of the plane, Air Tractor staff had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about the high standards of safety and professionalism upheld by aerial applicators. Several members of the Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association board volunteered their time at the booth, sharing their expertise with farmers and the public.

Lockhart estimated that during the three-day show, three to four thousand people visited the Air Tractor booth. Although they couldn’t interact with everyone, the industry exposure was substantial. Partnering with Capstan Ag and showcasing its Swathpro pulse-width modulation boom system allowed Air Tractor to emphasize aerial application as a key component of precision agriculture. Air Tractor plans to participate in the Farm Progress Show again next year in Decatur, Illinois.
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Jerry Webb, Longtime Ag Pilot From Mississippi and Former NAAA Board Member, Passes

Jerry Webb, a longtime Mississippi agricultural aviator passed on September 7, 2024.  He was a proud member of the Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association and the Mississippi Board Member for NAAA from 2010 to 2014, Jerry’s contributions to the aviation community were significant.

Starting his career with the Mississippi Department of Transportation in 1974, Jerry began agricultural flying on weekends. In 1976, he took a bold step and founded Webb’s Agricultural Flying Service, which he ran with pride until his retirement in 2014. He cherished the fact that many of his clients became lifelong friends, often sharing his favorite advice with his grandchildren: “Find something that you love to do, and you won’t work a day in your life.” His passion for aviation was evident in his words, “I won’t work, but I will fly an airplane.” His bright yellow plane was a familiar sight across northeast Mississippi, and he was especially adored by children who enjoyed watching him at work. In addition to his own service, he co-owned Tupelo Flying Service in Mississippi for several years and even served as interim manager of the Tupelo Airport in Mississippi. For more details on Jerry’s life and legacy, please visit here.
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NAAA Hits New Facebook Milestone: 13,000 Followers!

Thanks to those who helped NAAA attain 13,000 Facebook followers! Help continue promoting agricultural aviation by sharing our posts on your newsfeed which will allow your friends to see them. Please also invite your friends to “Like” National Agricultural Aviation Association Facebook page. They’ll get updates throughout the year on what ag pilots do to aid farmers in producing a safe, affordable and abundant supply of food, fiber and bioenergy, in addition to protecting forestry and controlling health-threatening pests.

NAAA’s social media reach has steadily increased each year. The association reached 12,000 followers last August and has grown by about a thousand followers annually for the past six years. You can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment Course, Saturday, Nov. 16

After two years of popularity, NAAA and NAAREF are bringing back the Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment Course on Saturday, November 16 beginning at 7:30 a.m. in Fort Worth, Texas. This course will be taught on the Saturday before the start of the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo, Nov. 18-21. The Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation and Johnson Family are graciously sponsoring the registration fees of each operator and pilot attending this year’s course. NAAA and NAAREF thank the Johnson Family and the Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation for providing funding for ag pilots to attend this essential training complimentary.

Tylor Johnson was a third-generation aerial applicator whose life was cut short after his airplane struck a guy wire. It was a harsh reminder of the dangers aerial applicators face daily. In the wake of this tragedy, the Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation was established to honor Tylor’s memory, advocate for increased safety measures that protect other pilots, and continue his legacy of care and commitment to the community. Tylor was known for his infectious energy, unwavering optimism, and remarkable ability to inspire everyone around him. He believed in the power of community and was a driving force in bringing people together. 

While registration fees are complimentary, registration is still required here.

Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment Course, acclaimed by professional airplane and helicopter operators worldwide. This year’s course will be a full-day course again. The instructors give low-altitude aviators the essential skills needed to safely operate an aircraft in wire and obstruction environments. This course is for both aircraft and helicopter pilots. Learn how to identify signs of wires and why ag aviators hit wires they already knew were there. This course may very well save your life – wire strike accidents continue to harm the ag aviation industry. The most common cause of accidents in 2023 were wire strikes. They accounted for 28% of the total accidents and 67% of the fatal accidents.

The course will be taught by Utilities / Aviation Specialists Inc. (UAS), a unique group of aviation safety practitioners who provide safety auditing, specialized training, installation of safety management systems, and technical aviation consulting. They provide mission-specific expertise in specialized applications that require skill sets above those found in most routine transport operations. Sponsored by Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation, Old Republic Aerospace and AssuredPartners Aerospace.
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In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the September 5, 2024 eNewsletter to read:

  • FAA Safety Team Hosting Another Part 137 Drone Pilot Webinar, September 10th on Professional Aerial Application Organizations; NAAA Speaking on Aviation Safety and Environmental Professionalism Programs
  • Air Tractor Hosts Factory Tours for 2024 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Attendees
  • Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship Deadline Extended to Sept. 16

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