The National Agricultural Aviation Research & Education Foundation (NAAREF) was formed in 1982 as a non-profit organization to promote and foster research, technology transfer and advanced education among aerial applicators, allied industries, government agencies and academic institutions.

NAAREF is totally supported by charitable donations from individuals and companies wishing to invest in the future of agricultural aviation. In addition, NAAREF seeks grants from government agencies and private foundations on behalf of the aerial application industry’s educational efforts.

In 1996, NAAREF instituted the Professional Aerial Applicators’ Support System (PAASS). PAASS is a program that educates pilots on key safety and drift minimization issues important to flying, modern agriculture and crop protection.

In 2002, NAAREF introduced the Compaass Rose series of round table discussions designed to provide professional support and direction to new-to-the-industry agricultural aviation pilots. The goal is for the participants to enhance their own knowledge, continue to gain agricultural aviation experience, and improve their individual professionalism.

Make a Donation to NAAREF

NAAREF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation accepting tax-deductible contributions, donations, and government grants. All information and services are open to the general public.

The NAAREF Board of Directors is composed of six NAAA Operator members; three individuals in any NAAA membership category (Except Operator); and the current President of the NAAA. The NAAA Board of Directors appoints NAAREF Board members.The NAAREF Board of Directors determines PAASS Program policy, establishes direction, coordinates activities among committees, appoints all committee members and chairs, develops budgets and recommends fund-raising goals. NAAREF retains primary fiduciary responsibility and is updated on PAASS program progress at each of its board meetings and by periodic correspondence from Committee Chairs and NAAA Staff.

Rod ThomasPresidentHigh Desert Aviation LLCGooding, ID
Ray NewcombVice-PresidentJBI Helicopter ServicesPembroke, NH
Matt HovdenesSecretaryRight Way AgHarwood, ND
Eric RojekTreasurerCovington EnginesLeesburg, GA
Mike RivenbarkNAAA PresidentMoore’s Aerial ApplicatorsPembroke, NH
Perry Hofer–Doland Aerial SprayingDoland, SD
Mark Kimmel–Dixie DustersItta Bena, MS
Darrin Pluhar–Plu’s Flying ServiceEkalaka, MT
John Wright–AssuredPartners AerospaceWichita, KS
Anthonie York–Air TractorOlney, TX
Andrew MooreNAAREF Executive DirectorAlexandria, VA
Scott BretthauerNAAREF Staff LiaisonAlexandria, VA
Updated 18-Jan-2025

Bylaws of the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation
Revised 7 December 2016

PAASS Program Development Committee
In accordance with NAAREF policy and direction, sets program priorities, develops and recommends program topics to NAAREF and develops program content. Members serve as subject matter experts during contracted program development. The Committee is composed of approximately equal numbers of operators/pilots and government/industry representatives. A Technical Advisory Panel augments the Committee.

PAASS Capital Campaign Committee
Composed of NAAA members appointed by the NAAREF President, the Capital Campaign Committee’s purpose is to ensure the financial viability of the PAASS Program. It does this by developing and pursuing various funding campaigns throughout the life of the program.

Operation SAFE Committee
Composed of NAAA members appointed by the NAAREF President, the Operation SAFE Committee provides information to the Agricultural Aviation Industry to promote and maintain the most effective application of materials with aircraft by researching, investigating and sharing information about analysis equipment and procedures, application equipment, application methods, equipment modifications, equipment setup and product enhancements.

2024-2025 PAASS Sponsors

Continuous Sponsors, who have sponsored this year’s PAASS Program in addition to the previous 2 years, are listed in bold.

Air Tractor ($15,000)
BASF Corporation ($15,000)
Syngenta Crop Protection ($15,000)
Pratt & Whitney Canada ($10,000)
Thrush Aircraft LLC ($10,000)
Acrisure Aerospace ($5,000)
Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association ($5,000)
Covington Aircraft Engines Inc. ($5,000)
FMC Corporation ($5,000)
Illinois Agricultural Aviation Association ($5,000)
Nebraska Aviation Trades Association ($5,000)
New Mexico Agricultural Aviation Association ($5,000)
Turbine Conversions, Ltd. ($5,000)

NAAREF Donors

01-Jan-2024 to 01-Jan-2025
Continuous Donors, who have donated in each of the past 3 years, are listed in bold.

Spirit of St. Louis – $10,000

Doland Aerial Spraying ($13,000)

Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly – $5,000

JBI Helicopter Services ($7,225)
Transland ($5,125)
Air Tractor
Kansas Agricultural Aviation Association

Curtis Jenny – $1,000

Rick & Becky Reed ($2,700)
Arizona Agricultural Aviation Association ($2,500)
Indiana Agricultural Aviation Association ($2,500)
Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association ($2,500)
North Dakota Agricultural Aviation Association ($2,000)
Rick Turner ($2,000)
Texas Agricultural Aviation Association ($2,000)
O’Brien Flying Service Inc. ($1,025)
Agricair Flying Service Inc.
Andrew & Ben Moore
Jay’s Flying Service LLC
Joel & Terri Meyer
John Pew
Mid-State Aviation II Inc.

Piper J-3 – $500

Plu’s Flying Service Inc. ($750)
Tyree Ag Inc. ($750)
Wil-Co Flying Service ($750)
Aerial Solutions of TN
Dennie Stokes
Fitch’s Flying Service
Helicopter Applicators Inc.
Lee & Nancy Turnquist
Mike Jurak
Newberg Sky Spray
On Target Applicators
Richter Aviation Inc.
Valley Air Crafts
Williams Ag Service, Inc

Graf Zeppelin – $250

Sarita Custom Farm Service, LLC ($450)
Bradley Reed ($400)
North Star Aviation, Inc. ($350)
Rotorcraft Repair & Manufacturing LLC ($350)
Bear Creek Flying Service ($300)
Farmer’s Aviation LLC ($300)
Stabilem, LLC ($300)
Brekke Aviation Inc.
Chris Flesch
Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association
Craig Oleen
Crop Air, LLC
Darla Meise
Donner Aerial Spraying II
Nor-Wes, Inc.
Steven Spearman
Thomas Harkin
Tonia Johnson
Woolard Flying Service, Inc.

Daedalus – $100

Evanson Aero ($205)
Dungan Aerial Service, Inc. ($200)
Jack Kibodeaux ($200)
Jensen Aviation LLC. ($200)
Riley Farder ($200)
Shelby Air Service, Inc. ($200)
Tailwheel Training Center ($200)
Forest Flying Service ($150)
1Lowflyer Inc.
ASI Aerial Applicators
Airworks, LLC
Bryan Hauschild
Central Planes Aviation Inc.
Cottonwing Air LLC.
Elizabeth Lind
Flagler Aerial Spraying Inc.
George Moore
Greg Aldridge
Guy Warren
Haley Flying Service
Isolair Helicopter Systems
Jim’s Agri-Air
Kaleb Rich
Kendall Copters Inc.
Kenneth Degg
Lakeland Aviation, Inc.
Mary Beth Schwaegel
Morten Aero Service
Parrish Aerial Services LLC
Planters Air Service Inc.
Pro Ag Services, Inc.
Probasco Flying Service
Randy Prellwitz
Root Spraying Service, Inc.
Russ Stocker
Solace Aerial, LLC
Sound Trax Studio
Spray Plains Inc.
Thisius Flying Service
Wade Aviation Inc.

Other Donations under $100

Andrew Mushrush
August Blomquist
Bradley Fritz
Crop Jet Aviation, LLC
Dan Gudgel
Deana Kissinger
Holloway Air Service, Inc.
James Arnt
Jesse Lipson
John Kirsch
Jon Hengeveld
Joshua Clements
Kelly Bowers
Kyle Horsfall
Lutes Flying Service Inc.
McGuires Flying Service
Nathan Davis
SEAF – Southeast Aero Cultural Fair
Scott Baker
Tactical Agriculture LLC
Tennessee Aerial Applicators Association
Trennis Luke Vaughn
William Duniven
William Wilson
Wyatt Trost

Memorial Donations

01-Jan-2024 to 01-Jan-2025

In Memory of Adam Parnow

Agricair Flying Service Inc.

In Memory of Casey Novak

Nor-Wes, Inc.

In Memory of Charles Stokes

Dennie Stokes
Wil-Co Flying Service

In Memory of Cody Thompson

Tailwheel Training Center

In Memory of Dave Harris

Plu’s Flying Service Inc.

In Memory of Don Pruett

Isolair Helicopter Systems

In Memory of Jason Watson

Steven Spearman

In Memory of Kyle Scott

Plu’s Flying Service Inc.
Tyree Ag Inc.

In Memory of Lawrence Polries

North Dakota Agricultural Aviation Association

In Memory of Margaret Dea

Kenneth Degg

In Memory of Richard M “Skyraider” Hall

Plu’s Flying Service Inc.
William Duniven

In Memory of Richard Halstenson

Riley Farder

In Memory of Richard L. Packer

Mary Beth Schwaegel

In Memory of Robert Dopp

Agricair Flying Service Inc.

In Memory of Robert W. Gudgel

Dan Gudgel

In Memory of Scott Rainey

Rick Turner

In Memory of Tylor Johnson

Brekke Aviation Inc.
North Dakota Agricultural Aviation Association