Issue Archive

Editors Note: In tribute to our cover story this month, which takes Rowland Dusters into their 4th Generation, and in memory of Ben Rowland, our 20 years ago column is one of the first articles in the very early days of AAU, April 1991, when my father, Bill Lavender, visited...

A highly accomplished leader with a proven track record of driving superior performance. Slaton, Texas, March 23, 2022 – Neal Aircraft today announced that Rick Turner has joined Neal Aircraft, effective March 14, 2022.  Most recently Mr. Turner had retired from Air Tractor as Vice-President of Operations. Mr. Turner has...

AD 97-13-11 was issued to address an unsafe condition and accident caused by fatigue cracks occurring in the lower spar caps. AD 97-13-11 was superseded by AD 97-17-03, AD 2000-11-16, AD 2003-07-01, AD 2006-07-15, and AD 2009-26-11. AD 2009-26-11 requires repetitive inspection of the 1/4-inch and 5/16- inch bolt hole...

Agriculture aviation began in the 1920s and remains a vital part of high-yield agriculture today. At the industry’s start, aerial application was commonly referred to as “crop dusting” because insecticides and other products were delivered as dry chemicals. Today, aerial applicators use products in liquid, granular, or seed form to...

We didn't get a chance to make it to all the conventions we would have liked to. However, it's been a whirlwind going to the ones we attended. I love seeing all our friends and customers. After two years of hibernation, it feels good to talk to people in person.

Each year TAAA recognizes an outstanding Operator of the year and an outstanding Pilot of the year at its Annual Award Banquet. Earlier this year, these presentations were made by awards chair Brad Lauderdale to two very deserving recipients. Please see the full story below. Operator of the Year Blayne...

Ag workers are in high demand in the sky as well as on the ground. After a record-breaking year for the amount of acres sprayed with fungicides by air in 2021, farmers, co-ops and aerial applicator companies are all making plans to prepare for the 2022 season. This year, Kiman...

This year marks a special milestone for the crop-dusting industry. 2021 is the 100th anniversary of the first crop dusting application. The first aerial application of a pesticide ever was made on Aug 3 in 1921 as a part of an experiment in Ohio. Sphinx Moth Larvae were destroying catalpa...

David Michael Lewis, affectionately known as DaDa, was born on October 19th, 1957 to Mr. and Mrs. Arvel Otto “AO” Lewis, Jr of Rosedale, MS. He was a member of class of 1975 at Rosedale High school. After playing football at Moorehead and attending Ole Miss, he decided to pursue...

On July 22, 2021 Missouri State Senator Jason Bean presented a resolution passed by the Missouri Senate honoring 100 years of aerial application in Missouri, as well as acknowledging Mid-Continent Aircraft as a leader in the industry ahead of the 100th Anniversary of Ag Aviation on August 3, 2021.  ...