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NTSB Reports | Accident Synopses
Motion 2: The Budget & Finance Committee is asking the Board to approve the current Treasurer, CEO and President to have signing authority for financial matters for NAAA.
Communications & Public Relations Committee
Matt Regier, Committee Vice Chair, presented the committee report.
The committee discussed the events NAAA will be exhibiting at in 2022, including Ag Day on the Mall on March 21-22, where the association will have a helicopter and the 100th anniversary timeline; AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., July 2531, and the Aviation Education & Career Expo in Leesburg, Va., Nov. 4.
The 100th anniversary book has been a success with more than 650 copies sold. Several members have purchased copies and donated them to schools, libraries, and their state Departments of Agriculture. The committee recommends that members purchase copies of Agriculture’s Air Force and share them locally.
The committee discussed Agricultural Aviation magazine and other NAAA communication mediums and how different generations obtain their information and news. The committee had a long discussion regarding the potential for an NAAA podcast; questions will be asked about this in the upcoming communications services survey.
The committee discussed the communications services survey, which will be sent in mid-March. NAAA is conducting this survey to determine who members think the association’s main audience should be (public or the industry), what communications mediums are preferred (print, digital, video, podcast, etc.) and how to best deliver and reach them with the association’s messaging.
Convention Committee
Lynn Justesen, Committee Co-Chair presented the committee report.
Regarding the 2021 Ag Aviation Expo, both attendees and exhibitors were happy with Savannah and continue to enjoy traveling to the city. Financially, the expo was positive for NAAA due to the three large auction donations from Pratt & Whitney Canada, Darrel & Deb Mertens and Boyd Morgan. There were 1,540 attendees and exhibitors and 142 paying exhibitors.
The 2022 Ag Aviation Expo will take place in Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 5-8. We will have five different hotels in different price points around different areas of downtown Knoxville, all within four blocks of the convention center. The room block links will be released to members in the next couple of weeks.
The Kickoff Breakfast speaker will be Captain Scott Kelly, the astronaut who spent one year in space and was also a fighter pilot. For the General Session, we will hire Dr. Stan Musick to speak about medicals in the industry and Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe, who will speak about effective advocating for agriculture and the industry.
No motions for the board.
Governing Documents Committee
Ray Newcomb, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
The committee reviewed board member term limits and it was decided to keep the current Bylaws for term limits as is. The Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were reviewed by the committee.
No motions for the board.
Government Relations Committee
Damon Reabe, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
The committee discussed FIFRA re-registration. He stated that it was encouraging to hear from EPA during the morning General Session and their review of tier three inputs that NAAA has been requesting of EPA during risk assessments. He said NAAA staff have worked tirelessly on this subject matter and they have gotten to where there is standardized language they’re using for re-registration of pesticides and it is very workable language. Occasionally we deal with challenges, such as paraquat last year, with reregistrations, and the association still worked out a better result on that active ingredient’s reregistration.
The committee discussed registrants and facilitating labeling. Sarah Hovinga with Bayer CropScience attended the meeting, and she was very helpful with her comments. Jim Perrin, Damon Reabe and staff will have meetings with registrants about more communications with the industry and EPA because oftentimes the registrants don’t know what to ask for with labeling, which is an area where NAAA can continue to assist. Since the EPA risk assessments will happen, the registrant community is interested in putting time and effort in with NAAA on this subject matter. ➤
The committee was reminded and urged the board to provide MSU’s RASPET Center with GPS flight data in their efforts working with MIT to determine safe distances and procedures between drones and low-altitude manned aircraft, such as drones.
The committee received a briefing on the FMSCA to transport 1,000 gallons of Jet A without a hazmat endorsement and we’re waiting for a response on this topic. HAI membership has the ability for members to carry certain hazmat materials if you’re an association member and have received training on the transport. Should FMSCA fail, we may look at an NAAA program like what HAI does for their membership.
The committee discussed the new aviation G-100 fuel and the current STC. Does it apply to our current fuel tax exemption and will the STC need to be specific to airframe and engine are two requirements that will need to be answered.
No motions for the board.
Insurance Committee
Craig Craft, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
The committee was very happy with “Ask the Expert” Speed Mentoring in Savannah because 77 new pilots attended the session, which was a success. Thank you to NAAREF and Brian Rau (Appointed) for the great work on this session.
The committee discussed the certification program and how it may be tailored to current pilots’ level of experience, but also training for new pilots.
The Insurance Committee will host a session at the expo in Knoxville this December and asks that their session be placed after “Ask the Expert” Speed Mentoring so that new pilots can attend Insurance after that session. It’s important to mentor new pilots and ensure they’re able to be insured when they begin spraying.
No motions for the board.
Long Range Planning Committee
Matt Hovdenes, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
The committee discussed the upcoming communications survey and what it means to Long Range Planning for NAAA, such as encourage the current and future board members to have appropriate funds allocated towards communications. A subcommittee was formed to help review the questions for a communication survey from a Long Range Planning perspective. The committee discussed the Syngenta Leadership Training Program and changes over the year. Some members have an interest in NAAA developing their own program. A subcommittee has been developed to further research a professional development program.
No motions for the board.
Membership Committee
Dwayne O’Brien, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
The committee discussed membership numbers, which are slightly up from this same time last year, the membership marketing campaign, outreach and ideas to market to non-members. Auto-renewal within our membership database, Naylor, should be available later this year. We currently have less than 50 members using this service.
Lindsay Barber (NAAA staff) asked that members send her quotes of why they joined NAAA and/or what NAAA does for them to use in marketing materials. It is beneficial for peers to read why others joined.
Lindsay provided an overview of Scott Yackel and asked that the committee recommend an honorary membership. Scott has been instrumental in getting our aircraft into Savannah each year, he helps onsite, he has provided helicopters for our trades show floor, etc. He has not asked NAAA for any assistance and has done thousands of dollars of work for NAAA.
The committee had two motions for the board.
Motion 1: The NAAA Membership Committee recommends that the Board of Directors approve the list of new members as presented.
Motion 2: The NAAA Membership Committee recommends that the Board of Directors approve Scott Yackel as an Honorary Member of NAAA.
Museum Committee
Matt Woolard, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
The committee discussed the Greg Koontz Aerobatics Course scholarship that is provided to the winner of the drawing at the Ag Aviation Expo. Last year’s winner will be taking the course this year. ➤
The committee received an update on the S-2A project. The plane was expected to fly to Savannah in December but encountered an engine problem shortly after departing from Air Tractor’s factory and ended up being trucked to the Ag Aviation Expo instead. Air Repair in Mississippi is rebuilding the motor and will fly it back to Air Tractor once it is fixed. Jim Hirsch would like to take the S-2A to AirVenture and Sun ’n Fun before delivering the aircraft to its permanent home at the National Agricultural Aviation Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, in the fall.
The committee had one motion for the board.
Motion 1: The NAAA Museum Committee requests that NAAA donate $5,000 annually to the National Agricultural Aviation Museum in Jackson, MS.
Nominating Committee
Mark Kimmel, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
No motions for the board.
Precision Agriculture Committee
Glenn Holloway, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
AGDISP- looking to improve accuracy of model and move it to a more modern programming language. This will foster improvement to model. There will be two APIs – one for manufactures to use in equipment and one for a desktop model that could be used by researchers, regulators, etc. AG-NAV has a system for mosquito control that uses AIMMS and AGDISP to provide guidance for where the aircraft should spray in order to make an accurate application to the treatment block.
Manufacturers provided an update Insero/AgPilotX, SATLOC, AG-NAV are all working at integrating with Capstan’s pulse width modulation system. Tommy Ellett spoke about his experiences with Capstan’s system. Capstan is working through some parts wear problem. The system saves him time and fuel.
Insero is working on ground based airblast autonomous sprayer technology. They have partnered with a manufacturer of an autonomous tractor. Insero’s product handles the flow control. The committee discussed an Israel company that is developing ground based see and spray technology. They will be placing 4 units in the field in Nebraska for testing. It’s called Greeneye technology. The system can spray weeds on bare ground – this is called green on brown. They are also working on green on green – identifying and spraying weeds amongst a crop. A think tank called Grand Farm is working on see and spray technology that are smaller units – like worker bees. The units would stay in field and just keep working.
Brad Fritz (Appointed) reported that Dan Martin will be continuing a project with Bradley Reed and LSU to compare the efficacy of different GPAs. Also going to continue remote sensing work. Wind tunnel work will include new nozzle designs from Sam Marx and Mark Ledebuhr. TeeJet straight stream nozzles, and improving accuracy of modeling for PWM. Sam Mark will continue research with CFD modeling that he presented at 2021 Expo. Mark Ledebuhr is also continuing to develop new products. There is the possibility to improve the use of AGDISP modeling to help with initial aircraft setups – make it more user friendly for operators after it’s been updated to new programming language. Also working on some UAV stuff; Brad Fritz is trying to get the UAV industry to understand and utilize Operation S.A.F.E.
No motions for the board.
Safety & Federal Aviation Regulations Committee
Ray Newcomb, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
The committee reviewed the 2021 accidents, which totaled 55 accidents, with 12 being fatal last year. There has been one fatal in 2022. There were two questionable accidents that were discussed and will be voted on when final reports are received.
The federal tower law is exceptionally slow in being promulgated. The FAA has yet to comply with the law. Towers are not being marked or added to database. NAAA is working on political pressure from congressional aviation leaders to move the FAA on this most important safety issue.
NAAA partnering with Balmoral Engineering to promote wire marking with power companies. Developing a presentation to rural electric cooperatives. Brian Rau is looking for a volunteer to help with the presentation.
The committee discussed the HAI wire course and bringing it to the 2022 Ag Aviation Expo since wires are a top reason for accidents in our industry. Scott Bretthauer (NAAA staff) and Matt Hovdenes (NAAREF President) will be attending this in March to see if it’s a good fit for our expo. The course would be $7,000 + expenses with unlimited attendees; the course is taught by Utilities Aviation Specialists. Andy Gjerswold (Appointed) stated that he would promote this on his podcast. ➤
The committee discussed business decisions and their impact on safety and whether we should we be teaching the industry to avoid decisions that increase risky behavior. The committee discussed creation of a spreadsheet that shows the overall expenses of operating an ag aircraft so that business decisions do not compromise safety. This could be developed for the Ag Aviation Expo and/or PAASS.
Brian Rau reported on an FAA aviation rulemaking committee (ARC) regarding BVLOS for UAVs. The ARC proposal does not have requirements for UAV certification for ag work for UAV below 1,320 pounds. It also does not require UAV to give way to manned aircraft that are not equipped with ADS-B, nor give way to manned aircraft when shadowing structures such as wires and towers.
George Parker indicated many pilots in industry do not have log book entries showing they’ve passed knowledge and skills. He suggested a magazine article and PAASS segment to address this is.
No motions for the board.
Support Committee
Jane Barber Pitlick, Committee Chair, presented the committee report.
Athena: The topic for the Athena Program for 22-23 are the challenges of balancing work and home. This will be presented to state/regional association, as well as the Ag Aviation Expo in Knoxville. Chuck Holzwarth will once again sponsor this session. North Carolina and Colorado have worked to get a CEU credit offered to pilots who attend Athena at their states.
Convention: The committee will be looking at hosting a lunch and tour of the Sunsphere, which was built for the 1982 World’s Fair. The committee may also look at hiring a speaker. John Garr will once again sponsor this event. Jane and the committee thank John for his years of continuous support and sponsorship for their event.
Fundraising: The Fundraising booth in Knoxville will have similar clothing to years past, but final orders will depend on what is available since we may still be dealing with supply chain issues this summer and fall. The committee also discussed going back to paper bidding for the Silent Auction since several people have stated that they want to see who they bid against, and some people cannot access the online bidding system.
Scholarship Program: The topic for 2022 is “What role does ag aviation play in producing a local commodity?” and that information is on the NAAA website.
No motions for the board.
NAAREF Report
NAAREF President Matt Hovdenes provided the report.
Program Development Committee: The committee is ahead of schedule in already planning for next year’s program. CFIT will be the main focus for the 2022-2023 program. The committee discussed taking past PAASS modules and updating them for use on the LMS as part the certification program. Subcommittees will review old PAASS modules and rank for priority for updating and adding to LMS. Discussed PAASS content for 2023-2024 and beyond.
Operation S.A.F.E.: There is new updated version of the software used for pattern and droplet size analysis at clinics and it will be available for download to everyone. Matt Gill (Appointed) is going to make a test kit that could be purchased by operators who want to host their own clinics to rate the success of whether that would work for individual operators. S.A.F.E. participation will be part of the requirements for the certification program which will increase participation and demand for new analysts.
NAAREF Board: The NAAREF Board approved their budget, and the board received an update on the current PAASS program. A make-up PAASS program will be available online and more information will be forthcoming, but the Board strongly suggest that pilots attend the program in person, if they’re able to do so.
The board discussed the certification program and Deana Burke (NAAA Staff) gave an update on the learning management system (LMS) that would be used for the certification. Staff would be responsible for managing and updating the LMS. Options for certification were heavily discussed. No decision was made except that NAAREF board members are to send their ideas for how the certification levels should work to Matt Hovdenes who will compile them and then discuss with NAAA staff. These ideas will then be brought to the next meeting for the certification program.
The board discussed a wire aviation safety course that is offered at HAI that the chairman and staff will be attending and which may be offered at the Ag Aviation Expo on Sunday for $100 per person. The session is a full day and the reason we would bring it to our expo is because wires are the main reason for accidents.
Flight Discipline
by Heather Metzler
My grandpa always said, “You’ll get there quicker if you don’t stop by the hospital on the way.” When he told me that, I was a new driver. I was also a new pilot. I was fortunate to solo a car and an airplane on my 16th birthday. But for me, the 14 mile drive from my home to the airport and back was the most terrifying part of that day. Flying the airplane was easy! So why after 32 years of experience as an ATP, flight instructor, FAA Operations Inspector, and FAA Safety Team Program Manager, do I still think that flying the airplane was the easy part? For starters, when I was flying the airplane that day on my solo, I didn’t have to “get there” or anywhere for that matter. Driving to the airport though, I had to get there. Of course, as a young inexperienced driver, I did the speed limit, made sure I made a complete stop at stop signs, and did all the stuff you do (or should do) when you are a new driver. All of the decisions I made while driving were mine, like how fast to go, can I pass that car, should I pass that car, which way do I need to go next, etc. That is a lot to think about when you are a new driver. The good news is that I left early so I wasn’t in a hurry, keeping in line with grandpa’s advice.
After safely arriving at the airport, it was time to go fly! My instructor and I went around the patch a few times and then made a full stop. He hopped out, signed my logbook, and told me to make three takeoff and landings to a full stop. Sure, I was nervous, but I had so much more training for this than I did for driving the car. And besides, there was no traffic. Plus, I had my instructor saying to go fly, so it must have been safe. I successfully soloed that day and cheerfully rejoiced after I taxied in.
Years later, when visiting with that same instructor, now as fellow instructor pilots, I realized the incredible pressure that he must have felt that day, as well as all the decisions made leading up to that point. First, he had to get me ready to solo on my 16th birthday, no pressure there! Next, my birthday is in December, and in Arkansas, the weather this time of year can be anything from sunny to foggy. I was lucky that it was overcast, but not so low that I couldn’t make my flight. Finally, he flew with me that day to make sure I was ready and let me go solo. I never thought of all the decisions he had to make that day. I was just happy I survived the drive to the airport.
When we start out as pilots, we depend on our instructors to help us make go/no-go decisions. Eventually, they help us with making those decisions on our own. But do we really ever get to the point where we are the only one making a go/no-go decision? I hope not. Just like grandpa’s sage advice, we need to make sure how we don’t stop by the hospital, or worse the funeral home, on the way to where we’re going.
One way to “get there” both quickly and safely, is to have a safety system for making decisions. You probably already have a safety system that you use without even knowing it. Think back to the last pilot-related decision that you made and how you came to that decision. You can take this look back to another level by evaluating the decision that you made to determine if it was good, bad, or a learning opportunity. If you have a process that allows you to look back at a decision, determine how you made that decision, and evaluate the outcome of your decision, congratulations - you have a safety system! Your safety system is the tool that gets you there without stopping at the hospital. But how do you keep a safety system ready to use and in good condition? Try taking it to a flight instructor. Let them look at your safety system tool and evaluate if it is in good shape or in need of a few adjustments. The flight instructor can also evaluate your pilot skills at the same time. Not a bad deal!
