International

Farmers have taken to social media to express outrage at the Government over a new levy. Last week, Rural News reported that the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) was unhappy with a proposed new aerial safety levy. NZAAA claims the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) levy unfairly targets the ag sector and will...

In the modern ag aviation world of turbines, GPS navigation, 500-gallon plus hoppers, flow control and digital readouts, we tend to forget that it has not always been that way.  In 1966, a newly minted pilot by the name of Ralph Tiede bought a Piper Pawnee and started Target Airspray,...

NASUULU CONSERVANCY, Kenya (AP) — As locusts by the billions — yes, billions — descend on parts of Kenya in the worst outbreak in 70 years, small planes are flying low over affected areas to spray pesticides in what experts call the only effective control. It is challenging work, especially in remote...

The Aviation Charitable Trust Fund was set up over 60 years ago to help the families of agricultural aviation pilots and their crew at times of great need, writes Aviation NZ chief executive, John Nicolson. The agricultural aviation industry has been "looking after its own" for over 60 years, something...

The New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) is up in arms about a proposed new safety levy. They say it unfairly targets the ag sector and will lead to increased costs of spreading fertiliser and spraying crops. NZAAA chairman Tony Michelle says his organisation is happy to pay levies set...

Every year AgAir Update dedicates an edition to recap the past 12 editions of the previous year. This year is no different. Here’s a quick summarization of the major stories that appeared on the cover pages of AgAir Update over the past 12 months.  Beginning with the January 2019 AgAir...

The province of B.C. is planning to use aerial spray treatments to prevent gypsy moths from establishing themselves in three regions of the province in 2020. Gypsy moths are unintentionally brought to B.C. on vehicles and equipment from eastern North America, according to the provincial government. The caterpillars feed on...

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC, October 16, 2019 – Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has appointed Mapiex Aviation S.A. in Panama City as a designated maintenance facility (DMF) to maintain a number of PT6A, PT6C and PT6T engine models flown in Central America. Mapiex will provide both line...

NAHIKU — A roughly 150-acre section of Nahiku jungle seems even more enormous when compared to its miniature foe. Little fire ants, called one of the worst invasive species in the world and smaller than the average friendly ant, have millions of queens and billions of workers living in this...

McCOOK, Neb. — If you were in the vicinity of the Republican River in Red Willow County on Sept. 21 or 22, you may have noticed a blue helicopter flying low over the river. “We have been working on obtaining funding to control salt cedar and phragmites for about two...