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FAA Safety Team Reminds Part 137 Drone Pilots to Know and Follow the Rules
On the evening of June 25, 2024, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) presented a webinar titled Pro Tips for Part 137 UAS Pilots and Operators. The speakers included two industry drone pilots and two FAA representatives familiar with Part 137 drone operations. The focus of the webinar was on the importance of professionalism and safety for drone pilots making aerial applications. A recording of the webinar can be viewed here.
The webinar began with a review of current stats for drones conducting aerial applications:
- 1,938 drones registered for aerial applications
- Over 900 drone Part 137 operations
- 12 collisions between UAS and crewed aircraft since September 2017
- No collisions involving ag drones
A 2023 collision between an R44 and a small drone in Florida was discussed. The drone pilot exceeded the altitude limitation on the certificate of authorization and failed to notify the tower about the flight. The accident was used to stress the importance that drone pilots fully understand all of the rules regarding their flights and that they must always see and avoid crewed aircraft.
The speakers provided a detailed description of how quickly a crewed ag aircraft can appear at a field. They talked about the ferry, reconnaissance, and field entry phases of the flight and how these were times for the drone pilot to notice the crewed aircraft. The speed of crewed ag aircraft and how quickly the aircraft can close the distance to a drone were emphasized, again stressing that drones alone have the responsibility to see and avoid crewed aircraft.
The FAA personnel covered the legal requirements for Part 137 drone operations. The FAA has found that many drone operators are not familiar, nor are they following, the conditions and limitations placed on their operations. Many new Part 137 drone operators are farmers with no background in aviation who don’t fully understand the importance of the rules they are operating under and the need for safety in the national airspace. The FAA stressed that receiving the required documents for operating a drone for aerial applications is only the beginning. Drone pilots must understand all the rules, how to comply with them, and continuously monitor for updates.
Over 400 people attended the Part 137 drone professionalism and safety webinar, around 45% of the over 900 Part 137 drone operations in the U.S. The NAAREF In-Season Safety Session for crewed agricultural aviators held on June 3 garnered 81 attendees, around 5% of the estimated 1,560 crewed Part 137 operations in the U.S. In both cases it must be assumed that not all attendees were pilots or operators, and that individual operations may have had more than one person in attendance.
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NAAA CEO Quoted for Ambrook Research Article on Drones
NAAA CEO Andrew Moore was interviewed by Ambrook Research for an article titled, “Hive Mentality: Drone swarms are on the horizon.” The article discusses the approval and increase of drones for agricultural spraying purposes but points out that there are still a lot of unknowns with using drone technology.
Moore emphasized the challenges faced by manned aircraft in detecting and tracking drones during operations, noting, “it’s difficult for manned aircraft to spot drones, then track them after they’ve spotted them, since they’re focusing on making the application themselves.” The NAAA is also pushing for drones to be built with “detect and avoid technology” that would automatically get them out of the way if another aircraft is detected. Read the article here.
Ambrook Research publishes original research and stories on issues facing modern agriculture. Their articles focus is on farming issues and other agriculture industry practitioners.
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Sixth Fatal Ag Accident of 2024 Claims the Life of Sage Teichert
The members and staff of NAAA wish to offer their condolences to the family and friends of Sage Teichert, who perished on June 20, 2024, in the sixth fatal ag accident of the year. The accident, a mid-air collision survived by the other pilot, occurred in Butte County, Idaho.
Sage was born on August 20, 1980, in Utah and lived in several western states growing up. He fell in love with flying while watching planes overhead when he was working on a ranch. Following high school graduation, Sage served as a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Independence, Missouri.
This is where Sage met his wife, whom he married in 2005. Afterwards, he received associate’s degrees in aviation science and sales science from Utah Valley University. He loved being an ag pilot as well as teaching student pilots and inspiring in them a love of flying.
Sage leaves behind a wife and four children ages 4 to 16 years old. He was the sole provider for the family, and a memorial fund has been established to help the loved ones he leaves behind. To donate, click here. Other survivors include his parents and several siblings.
Sage’s visitation will be held Sunday, June 30 at the Terreton Stake Center from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. His funeral will take place on Monday, July 1, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Terreton, ID, with an additional visitation taking place at the church before the services from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Click here to read Sage’s full obituary. Please keep his family, especially his wife and four young children, in your prayers as they mourn his passing.
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Booth Sales 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: Opens in July
- Exhibitor Booth Sales Details 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.
In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter
Click here for the June 20, 2024 eNewsletter to read:
- Senate Republicans Release Farm Bill Framework Including State/Federal Pesticide Preemption, But NPDES-PGP Exemption Language is Absent
- Uncrewed Aircraft Operators, Register for the “Professionalism and Safety in UAS Part 137 Operations” Webinar, June 25th at 8:00 PM EST
- Mississippi Governor Signed The Mississippi Aviation Safety Act
- S-2A Aircraft Arrives to be Displayed at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum
- Fourth Fatal Ag Accident of 2024 Claims the Life of Ryan McCallister
- Philip Kitten Fatally Injured in Fifth Ag Accident of 2024