International

By Ernesto Franzen "Propeller: Fan that cools the pilot. Turn it off and see how he sweats", is the caption on an oft-repeated cartoon, usually depicting a single-engine airplane with a stopped prop in a descending flight with its pilot covered in sweat beads. Of course, the reason for the stopped...

I recall a sales pitch for car polish that said, “Use this product and the only surprises you’ll get are pleasant ones.”  That sounds good, but I prefer to have no surprises at all when flying.   This is particularly so during aerial application. A telephone wire suddenly appearing ‘out...

As readers learned in AgAir Update’s April cover story, the Certified-Professional Aerial Applicator Safety Steward (C-PAASS) program from NAAA and the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation (NAAREF) is up and running. This voluntary program enables aerial applicators who strive to constantly educate themselves on ways to improve their safety and...

The National Directorate General for Disaster Management (OKF), responsible for the implementation of the mosquito control program, will eradicate mosquitoes in 11 counties and 215 municipalities, covering an area of almost 70,000 hectares this week, the OKF informed MTI on Monday. Due to the rainy weather of the past weeks and...

For the first time since 2011 a farm in south west New South Wales is baiting for mice. A plane from Ballarat has been called in to get the job done. Check out the video at ABC Australia

A typical response I get from onlookers who have watched an ag aircraft at work is: "It looks really exciting!" to which I reply that you don't ever want it to get exciting because that usually means you've not heeded the oft-quoted adage about a superior pilot using superior judgment to stay...

by Ernesto Franzen Santa Vitória Aviação Agrícola started like most operations do: with two friends who partnered up, bought an ag plane, and started working hard. In this case, Enio Strapação De Cezere, an ag pilot graduated in the Escola de Aviação Civil do Aeroclube do Rio Grande do Sul...

In my novice years as an ag pilot, while discussing the issue of flight safety with someone much more experienced, I asked him what makes a safe ag pilot. He was straight and to the point. It’s a judgment call. Pilots with good judgment tend to make good decisions. Pilots...

AgAir Update Brazil, AgAir Update's sister publication published exclusively in Brazil and in Portuguese, welcomes Ernesto Franzen (known in aviation circles as Franzen) to the team as our South American Editor. Ernesto started flying ag in 1991, and in 1995 met Bill Lavender during a vacation trip to the US....

NAAA launches the first certification program for aerial applicators to increase safety and application efficacy.  Aerial applicators, now more than ever, operate in an environment of competing interests. An ever-increasing demand for timely and effective applications is challenged by factors such as added regulatory burden, rising insurance costs, and stiffer...