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CHECKLIST FOR PILOTS SUBJECT TO THE DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM TARGETING AN AG AIRCRAFT: Read More
NAAA NOW OFFERING HEALTHCARE OPTIONS TO NAAA MEMBERS: Read More
NAAA SUCCESSFUL IN ADVOCATING DOT PROPOSED RULE ALLOWING AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS TO TRANSPORT CERTAIN QUANTITIES OF JET A WITHOUT HAZMAT ENDORSEMENT (12/5/2024): Aerial application operators could see both cost savings benefits and a greater supply of drivers due to a new NAAA advocated CDL exemption proposed by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Read More
EPA ACCEPTS NAAA’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO UPDATE AND IMPROVE ACCURACY OF AERIAL DRIFT MODEL IN ITS ESA INSECTICIDE STRATEGY POLICY (9/30/2024 ): The EPA accepted NAAA’s recommendations to improve the accuracy of the models used to estimate the amount of drift from aerial applications as part of the agency’s endangered species insecticide strategy. NAAA has advocated to the EPA for many years to utilize the Tier III model in AgDRIFT and use more realistic assumptions for aerial applications. Read More
WATCH FAA SAFETY TEAM WEBINARS ON PRO TIPS FOR PART 137 UAS PILOTS & OPERATORS (9/12/2024 ): On June 25, August 6 and Sept. 10, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) presented a webinar titled Pro Tips for Part 137 UAS Pilots and Operators. The June 25 webinar featured two industry drone pilots and two FAA representatives familiar with Part 137 drone operations that focused on the importance of professionalism and safety for drone pilots making aerial applications. The August 6 webinar focused on the 14 CFR Part 137 UAS certificate holder’s obligations to conduct operations in accordance with their ATO-issued Certificate of Authority (COA), reporting expectations, as well as swarming drones and new and amended 44807 exemptions. The Sept. 10 webinar highlighted the importance of fostering a safety culture in Part 137 drone operations. NAAA CEO Andrew Moore, provided an in-depth look at the NAAA’s efforts in supporting the aerial application industry, including public relations, pesticide availability, technology research, education programs, etc.
COVER CROPS PRESS RELEASE AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS TO SEND TO LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS (8/22/2024): While the season for aerial applicators is slowing down in several parts of the country, many applicators are seeding cover crop seeds into late summer and early fall. NAAA has prepared a sample press release that you can personalize to your own aerial application business and send to your local media outlets. Read More
FAA APPROVES FREQUENCY 122.925 FOR AIR-TO-AIR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AG AIRCRAFT (8/1/2024): NAAA has worked to secure permission from the FAA to use frequency 122.925 for radio communications between agricultural aircraft. FAA indicated the use of 122.925 “may be encouraged to enhance the situational awareness and safety of the participating [ag aviation] operators and others who choose to monitor/use the frequency.” Read More
NAAA & NAAREF RELEASE AGRICULTURAL AIRMAN GUIDELINES (AAG) (5/22/2024): AAG is a comprehensive resource to assist in preparing for or administering a 14 CFR §137.19(e) Knowledge and Skills Test. NAAA encourages operators and pilots to explore the AAG and discover how it can enhance ongoing knowledge, risk management and skills training within their operations. Read More
NAAA BOARD ESTABLISHES UNCREWED AERIAL APPLICATION SYSTEM COMMITTEE TO REACH ALL MEDIUMS OF AERIAL APPLICATION FOR SAFETY, EFFICACY AND COMPLIANCE PURPOSES (5/20/2024): The NAAA Board of Directors recently voted to establish an Uncrewed Aerial Application System (UAAS) Committee to advise the Association on uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) – or drone – issues. The decision to establish the committee is to ensure the low-altitude airspace is safe for crewed and uncrewed aircraft as the number of UAS in low-altitude airspace grows. The Committee will also advise the NAAA on ways to ensure aerial application regulatory compliance, efficacy and environmental professionalism is achieved throughout crewed and uncrewed aerial application mediums. These goals are shared by both manned/uncrewed aerial application operations and established, licensed drone operations. Read More
NAAA CAUTIONS HOBBYIST AND PROFESSIONAL DRONE OPERATORS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH LOW-ALTITUDE MANNED AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT THIS GROWING SEASON (4/23/2024): With another growing season getting underway at a time when aerial application services are expected to be in high demand, on Tuesday, NAAA sent a news release to aviation and agricultural media outlets advising uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operators to be mindful of low-flying manned agricultural aircraft operations. NAAA has several prospective interviews with major media establishments over the next week to discuss this topic on their widely circulated mediums. Read More
NAAA ENDORSES AND ENCOURAGES AG AIRCRAFT GPS DATA COLLECTION EFFORT PROTECTING MANNED AG AIRCRAFT FROM DRONES (2/21/2024): NAAA has a longstanding partnership with Mississippi State University (MSU) to collect GPS data logs donated by its members. Since the project’s inception in 2017, the data collected and analysis performed by MSU has fueled NAAA’s efforts in representing the safety interests of aerial applicators to regulators. Read More
REPORT ILLEGAL DRONE APPLICATIONS (6/1/2023): NAAA receives constant reports from commercial manned and unmanned aerial application businesses about drone application work that is being conducted outside of the law. NAAA has been told that unregistered drone activities, in addition to allegations that label directions, including required gallons of carrier per acre, active ingredient measurements per acre and boom length limits, are being violated. Professional commercial applicators that apply by air—either as part of a farming business or a separate aerial application business—must be licensed. Read More
NAAA PROVIDES PROOF OF DISTANCE NEEDED TO SAFELY TURN AN AG AIRCRAFT TO REFUTE CLAIMS MADE BY WIND FARMS, TOWERS, OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS (7/23/2020): NAAA has developed useful information to refute proposed setback distances from wind turbines and other tower-like obstructions. The information may be used by operators and state associations when dealing wind farm and tower companies claiming that their obstructions do not hamper aerial application activities to crops. Read More
IN THE EVENT OF A UAV ENCOUNTER, FOLLOW NAAA’S PILOT-UAV ENCOUNTER CHECKLIST: If you or a pilot of yours has a near-miss encounter with a UAV or, worse, is hit by one, undoubtedly one of the main things going through your mind after the initial shock subsides is what to do and who to call to report the encounter. NAAA has prepared a handy checklist of steps to take after a UAV encounter. Read More
MARK AND LOG TOWERS TODAY TO AVOID LIABILITY AND COMPLY WITH UPCOMING FAA REGULATIONS: Many landowners and farmers might not be aware that due to provisions in both the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016 and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, towers between 50 and 200 feet tall with an above-ground base of less than 10 feet in diameter in rural areas are legally required to be marked and/or logged in a database the FAA is currently developing. Read More
NAAA AD ENCOURAGES GROWERS TO LEARN BEFORE THEY LEASE TO WIND ENERGY COMPANIES: NAAA created an ad that encourages landowners and growers to consider all the facts and potential ramifications before they lease their property to a wind energy entity. The ad is available to members in a variety of sizes and colors to place in their local newspapers and ag publications. Read More
VIDEO AND NARRATIVE UNDERSCORING TOWER MARKING’S EFFECTIVENESS AVAILABLE: NAAA is making available video showing the challenge low-level agricultural pilots have in seeing unmarked towers and the difference in visibility if those towers are marked and lighted. The video was provided to NAAA with permission by Roger Dreyer and Karen Allen. Read More