United States

Drones have a growing range of useful applications, but there has been a lot of attention given to their increasing role in modern warfare. We can hope that individual military conflicts will come to an end, but there is one form of warfare that will probably never cease - the...

Billy Wayne Weatherley, 75, passed away Friday, December 22, 2023 in Ellsworth. He was born May 19, 1948 in Des Arc, AR to Jesse and Ozena (Wright) Weatherley. Wayne served in the United States Army and was later the owner and operator of Wayne's Ag Aviation in Ellsworth for many...

The Delta State University agricultural aviation pilot training program will help feed the world. In November 2019, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith told Ike Brunetti and retired Col. Brad MacNealy (former state aviation officer of the Mississippi National Guard), “I want you to start an ag pi/lot program at Delta State.” Brunetti is...

Aerial drones have become a more common sight on farms over the past few years for surveillance activities such as mapping and scouting to applying inputs such as fertilizer and seed. One area of great interest in agriculture has been the use of these vehicles to apply crop protection products....

MICHIGAN — In October 2023, a training held in Lansing, Michigan, taught forest health protection managers about the most effective tools to fight the spongy moth, an invasive insect that continues to cause major defoliation across the eastern United States and beyond. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development staff demonstrate...

Thank you to everyone that participated and help make the 2023 Ag Aviation Golf Tournament a huge success! It was a perfect fall weekend in Arkansas and everyone had a wonderful time! There was a great turnout and we were able to make a $8,000 donation to the Charles Stokes Memorial...

The DSU/Blues Air Flight Program is offering a Wire Strike Course on January 9, 2024 in Cleveland, MS (RNV—exact location to be determined later).  This is the same course offered at the NAAA.  The program is $7,500 (covered by DSU/Blues Air) for the first 50 people and $2,000 for each additional 50...

With 64 thousand engines delivered over six decades, the PT6 continues to be the engine of choice for the general aviation and helicopter segments, helping make a positive social impact every day. LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC (December 12, 2023) – Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, today celebrated the 60th anniversary of...

Rotor Technologies, Inc., a developer of autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, unveils the R550X, the largest uncrewed civilian helicopter on the market, and begins production. The R550X is an uncrewed helicopter based on the Robinson R44 Raven II. It is designed to lift heavy loads up to 1,200 lbs, or...

Sharon Kay Watkins was born on December 10, 1954 at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti, MO to P.A. Watkins, Jr. and Joy Womble Watkins.  She passed away from this life peacefully at her home in Hayti on November 20, 2023. Sharon and her two younger brothers, Michael and Roger, grew...