By Scott Bretthauer, Director of Policy, Education & Safety
The 2024-2025 PAASS program will soon be coming to a state/regional convention near you. The primary missions of PAASS are to protect the lives and enhance the professionalism of agricultural aviators who have such a huge impact on the agricultural output of our country. Since its inception in 1998, PAASS has contributed to a reduction in both agricultural aviation accident rates and drift incidents. The total agricultural aviation accident rate has declined by over 26% and the fatal agricultural aviation accident rate has declined by 6% since PAASS began. Aerial drift complaints have been reduced 26% during the history of PAASS. Nearly 86% of ag aviation accidents are caused by those that do not attend PAASS annually.
This season’s PAASS program will open with a review of the 2024 agricultural aviation accidents. The review will include a breakdown of the types of accidents and pilot demographics. Based on a record-setting number of mid-air collisions in 2024, the review will include how to avoid mid-air collisions based on what happened in recent mid-air accidents. Use of radios, ADS-B, ferrying at the correct altitude, and a plan when working near other ag aviators are all critical to avoiding mid-air collisions.
The accident review will lead directly into the human factors segment, which will be on avoiding controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. CFIT continues to be a major accident cause in the aerial application industry, particularly for fatal accidents. CFIT accidents include collisions with wires, towers and guy wires, trees, other objects, and the ground itself. PAASS will cover updated statistics on CFIT accidents over the last several years to reveal the objects being struck and whether or not the pilot was aware of the obstacle before they collided with it. Striking wires that the pilot was already aware of is a common occurrence. Pilots’ overall flying experience level and time in type of aircraft they had the CFIT accident in will also be discussed.
Participants will hear from several pilots who have experienced CFIT accidents firsthand. The interviews will focus on the factors that led to the accident so that attendees can avoid similar situations. They will talk about how they failed to notice or forgot about the wire or other obstacle they struck. How they responded after the accident will allow the audience a chance to think about how they might react in the event of an accident. Participants will also learn about the true cost of wire strike accidents, which includes not only the repair costs but also the loss of work income while the aircraft is being repaired.
The results of an FAA focus group study of agricultural aviators who had had wire strike accidents will also be covered. This study reveals risk factors that contribute to wire strike accidents, including both situational and personal risks. Study participants provide information on actions they could have taken to avoid the collision. Participants will hear from a helicopter pilot who discusses how he scouts for wires and other threats and plans his application accordingly.
The environmental professionalism segment of the 2024-2025 PAASS program will cover two subjects. The first will be an overview of the USDA-ARS Aerial Application Technology Research Unit’s (AATRU) aerial droplet size models to maximize efficacy and mitigate drift. The four versions of the model and how to use them to calibrate an agricultural aircraft for both GPA and droplet size will be covered. Aerial applicators can use the models to ensure they are both compliant with the label and to maximize drift mitigation.
The second part of this segment will be a detailed example of how to use EPA’s Bulletins Live Two! (BLT) to determine where, when, and what mitigations are needed to protect endangered species when applying pesticides. A real-life scenario from an ag aviator will show applicators how to locate their application target area on the BLT website, determine if the application will occur within a pesticide use limitation area (PULA), download the bulletin with required mitigations, and comply with the additional restrictions. The example will include both determining where buffer zones are required based on adjacent vegetation and wind direction as well as setting up the aircraft for the correct droplet size.
The 2024-2025 PAASS program will also include a security segment that describes a vandalism incident that occurred to an agricultural aircraft. While no serious damage was done, the situation could have been much worse, highlighting the need to remain constantly vigilant to secure your aircraft, chemicals, and other assets. An aviation medical examiner will cover how to avoid medications that can impact flying and how to stay properly rested to avoid fatigue.
Use of an Operation S.A.F.E. pattern testing kit that can be used by a pilot or operator to conduct their own spray pattern testing will help demonstrate how easy it can be to test your aircraft’s application performance. The system uses water sensitive papers and a smartphone with an app. No computer, flat-bed scanner, or fluorometer is required. The role distractions, particularly those related to technology in the cockpit, potentially play in accidents will also be covered. The 2024-2025 PAASS program will conclude with a series of multiple-choice questions asked using polling software to ensure knowledge retention of the material presented by the participants.
The 2024 application season has seen far too many fatal accidents. This winter, make sure you take time to attend PAASS at your local state or reginal ag aviation association meeting. Commit yourself to listen, learn, and offer your own thoughts during PAASS. Also, become a certified professional aerial application safety steward by becoming C-PAASS certified. Our statistics show that those participating in our education and safety programs are much less likely to have an ag aviation accident. As an industry, we must strive to be safer – for ourselves, our families, and the future of the ag aviation industry.
PAASS is your opportunity to improve your agricultural aviation knowledge. Register to attend one this fall or winter. Visit AgAviation.org and check the calendar of events to find dates and locations of state and regional meetings offering the 2024-2025 PAASS Program.
Please make it a priority to join NAAA or renew your NAAA membership because the payoff far exceeds what you will spend in dues in the form of effective advocacy that reduces regulation and taxes affecting your aerial application business and trade association membership dues are tax deductible. Membership is easy! Call (202) 546-5722 or pay membership dues online at AgAviation.org.
