NAAA Exhibits at Record Breaking EAA AirVenture 2018The Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) annual AirVenture held in Oshkosh, Wis., July 22–39, had a record-breaking attendance of 601,000 people throughout the week, up 2 percent from the 590,000 attendees in 2017. More than 10,000 airplanes were at this year’s event, as well as 867 exhibitors. Among them was NAAA, sharing booth space with Air Tractor, Thrush Aircraft and GPS manufacturer AG-NAV.

NAAA staff and volunteers spoke with hundreds of attendees throughout the week, and over the past three years of NAAA exhibiting at Oshkosh we’ve signed up 289 prospective pilots interested in a career in ag aviation. NAAA follows up with those genuinely interested in an ag aviation career to nurture their interest by informing them of upcoming NAAA events and providing them with a yearlong subscription to Agricultural Aviation magazine.

During the week, there were also over 1,000 educational forums on aviation topics attended by 75,000 visitors. NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore gave an educational presentation to AirVenture attendees on how to pursue a career in ag aviation, along with Lee Turnquist, 2018 NAAA Secretary, Eric Rojek of Thrush Aircraft and Nancy Andersen of Air Tractor. In addition to recruiting, NAAA also promoted the importance of agricultural aviation to food, fiber and biofuel production, as well as to forestry and public health protection, by distributing its “Flying for Your Food” brochure. Many NAAA members contributed important manpower to equip and staff the NAAA booth at EAA AirVenture, particularly staff from Air Tractor, Thrush and AG-NAV as well as AgAir Update’s Graham Lavender, Transland’s Anthonie York, Eagle Vistas’ Randy and Beverly Berry, and several

past and present members of NAAA’s Board of Directors including 2018 Vice President Darrel Mertens and 2018 Secretary Lee Turnquist. More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 19,588 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 20-30, which is an average of approximately 134 takeoffs/landings per hour. This made the

control tower at Wittman the busiest control tower in the world for that period.

Looking forward to next year, EAA Chairman Jack Pelton said, “We are celebrating our 50th consecutive year in Oshkosh during 2019, so we’ll be looking back on a half-century of unforgettable highlights at Wittman Regional Airport, and planning activities that involve EAA’s hometown and its unique place in aviation history. While 2018 is barely in the record books, we’re talking to many groups and individuals with intriguing new ideas for aircraft, innovations, exhibits, and events. We’re already planning for 2019 and are looking forward to announcing features and attractions very soon.”

THEVwww.gonata.net SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME No. 18 ISSUE No. 5oice

IN THIS ISSUE:

PAGE 6:MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

FORM

PAGE 3:PATTERN UNIFORMITY

PAGE 4:ASU MODIFIES CO FIRE AT-802

FOR FIRST FIXED-WING NVG FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS

The NATA Voice

Published by the Nebraska Aviation Trades Association521 First Street, Milford, NE 68405 —Phone: 402-761-2216, Email: taylor@youraam.com

facebook.com/Nebraska Aviation Trades Association (NATA)

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2018 OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NAAA SUPPORT COMMITTEELea Van BoeningSusan ThomasJanet CavanaughMary BoardmanJenny GoertzenRochelle SihmSue RothEllen ThomasSara Vogt

PRESIDENTCasey Williams (20)Broken Bow, NE308-440-2709

VICE PRESIDENTBrent Vogt (20)Elmwood, NE402-540-4610

SECRETARYTony Schmid (20)Alliance, NE308-760-1608

TREASURERChad Hendricks (20)Imperial, NE308-386-6815

REGISTERED AGENTMike CavanaughMinden, NE308-832-1966

NAAA REPRESENTATIVETom May (19)Holdrege, NE308-991-6983

EDUCATION DIRECTOR &OPERATION SAFE ANALYSTAlan CorrMinden, NE 308-830-3086

ALLIED REPRESENTATIVEJared Gillmore (19)FMCLincoln, NE620-921-0429

ALTERNATE ALLIED REP.Dan Stork (19)SyngentaYork, NE402-366-0309

Rick Boardman (20)Henderson, NE402-694-9730

Chad Walvoord (20)Hickman, NE402-580-5600

Clint Ostrander (20)Goehner, NE402-643-0759

Jared Storm (19)Wahoo, NE402-443-1218

Dave Roth (19)Milford, NE402-641-0291

Kelly Bowers (19)McCook, NE308-345-2886

OFFICERS:

DIRECTORS:

EXECUTIVE SECRETARYTaylor MooreAdvanced Association ManagementMilford, NE402-761-2216

NAAA SUPPORT COMMITTEEMary Lambrecht, Amy May

NATA ADVERTISING Contact Taylor Moore with questions or to purchase an ad.

521 First Street, Milford, NE 68405 Phone: 402-761-2216 | Email: taylor@youraam.com

Pattern UniformityBy: Dennis R Gardisser, WRK of Arkansas LLC

It is essential that pesticide applications be made uniformly across the treated area. There has been a lot of discussion recently about the need, or lack of need, for nozzles to be placed in the center section on aircraft. This issue will not be resolved here, but hopefully it will increase awareness of the potential need. The need seems to be more prevalent with the application volumes or 5 GPA or greater. The “rule of thumb” that seems to work well is to have one half as much flow in the center section as the outboard sections – biased toward the torque side of the section. Sampling results at Operation SAFE clinics doesn’t always show a need for center nozzles. Flights directly into the wind may allow the center section to fill in. A recent analysis of an AT-802 at a fly in at Park Rapids, Minnesota emphasizes the need for center nozzles. This aircraft had no center nozzles. Three pattern collections are shown on the top of the output page and the average in the center. The center of the pattern exhibits a reduction of deposit in that area. The existence of this void was obvious on each of the three passes. The identification of the specific aircraft has been changed. Recent tort litigations have centered on alleged pattern non-uniformity. Field streaking is never a good thing. Operators should carefully place nozzles to achieve optimum distribution all across the boom. Operation SAFE pattern documentation is an excellent place to start – to be followed by careful follow up of actual applications.

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ASU modifies CO Fire AT-802 for first fixed-wing NVG firefighting operationsBy: AgAir Update

BOISE, Idaho — Fighting fires at night is an effective tool for combatting threatening wild fires. Temperatures drop, humidity typically increases, and it is easier to spot hot spots at night making nighttime firefighting ideal. Now, CO Fire Aviation has a new tool to combat fires at night. Aviation

Specialties Unlimited, Inc., (ASU) recently modified an Air Tractor AT-802F for night vision goggle (NVG) operations giving pilots an increased advantage in the safety and effectiveness at night.

“We have experienced our share of fires in Idaho that consumed and destroyed vital natural resources, forests, homes and beautiful parts of the mountainous and high desert landscape,” said ASU Vice President of Engineering Kip McDermott. “By modifying the Air Tractor for CO Fire, we have provided them with a key safety tool that will allow them to safely battle fires into the night.”

Since 1995 ASU has modified more than 1,300 aircraft for NVG operations including the Thrush S-2R, PZL-Mielec M18, and rotorcraft including the Bell 206 and OH-58A for aerial application operations but the AT-802 is the first fixed-wing dedicated to firefighting. Because of its 800-gallon capacity, maneuverability, and speed with a 1,600 horse-power engine the AT-802 is ideal for fighting fires in a variety of terrains and conditions.

CO Fire Aviation, starting with just one aircraft in 2015, has grown dramatically to eight aircraft and fourteen

pilots to meet the growing demand for agile aerial firefighting capabilities. They are currently performing daytime contracts with a number of state and federal agencies and now their experienced team can offer the capability of night time aerial firefighting to customers domestically and abroad.

“Having operated NVGs in a variety of operations, our pilots knew that implementing a comprehensive NVG program would be the most significant way we could improve the safety and effectiveness of our aerial firefighting operations,” said CO Fire Chief Pilot Chris Doyle. “ASU’s experienced team has a strong track record with aerial applicators and we trusted them to equip our aircraft and help us launch our NVG program.”Half of the CO Fire pilots are currently NVG certified including two FAA-approve NVG Instructor Pilots that will be establishing an in-house NVG training program.

“Our pilot cadre has a wealth of extensive NVG experience,” said Doyle. He explained that several of the pilots have military experience providing close air support during combat and employing weapons delivery with the A-10 Thunderbolt “Warthog” aircraft and were U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School Instructors. Doyle has more than 26 years of flight experience and more than 10,000 accident-free hours of flight. He is a factory certified Air Tractor 802 instructor, he was also a Maintenance test pilot for the military/weaponized version of the AT-802 in the Middle East along with a number of his current Pilot cadre whom were the weapons and tactics instructors. “There is currently no other company in the world with more AT-802 NVG experience than CO Fire Aviation,” said Doyle.“Later this year CO Fire will be conducting studies to refine and develop NVG firefighting tactics,” said Doyle. The study will involve developing safe and effective drop heights across a variety of illumination levels and in different terrain for example dealing with well moonlit and starlit nights through to low-light scenarios and setting requisite minimums to lux (illumination) levels vs. terrain vs. drop height. “We are always looking for innovations to help us lead the way in safety.”

ABOUT ASU:Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU), established in 1995 is a leading innovator in night vision imaging system design, manufacturing, installation, certification, sales, training, and service. ASU serves customers around the world with onsite training, cockpit modification, service and support. For additional information call +1 208-426-8117 or visit http://www.asu-nvg.com. Our aviation community can look forward to a safer tomorrow as more advocates for flight safety like the FAA receive NVG training and gain valuable insight into safe NVG flight operations.

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February 18-20, 2019Cornhusker Hotel

February 23-26, 2020Younes Center, Kearney

February 14-17, 2021Embassy Suites, LaVista

FUTURE NATA CONVENTIONS

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Do you have an Aviation event to promote? Let us know! Article and pictures are always welcomed. Contact us via

the information below.521 First Street, Milford, NE 68405

Phone: 402-761-2216 | Email: taylor@youraam.com

Save the DateAg Aviation Expo

Join us for the NAAA Ag Aviation ExpoDecember 3–6, 2018 ♦ Reno, NV

Join us for the 2018 Ag Aviation Expo in Reno, Nev. from Dec. 3-6, 2018, featuring the premiere trade show for agricultural aviation, great networking opportunities and a great lineup of speakers and events! It doesn't matter if you're a veteran operator, a fledging ag pilot, or an allied supplier to the ag aviation industry, you won't find a better venue than NAAA's Ag Aviation Expo to help you achieve your pro-fessional goals and business objectives. Reno is a city that has changed a lot in the last few years and the city features great restaurants, fun bars and attractions - don't miss a fun time!

Highlights include:

• Kickoff Breakfast Monday morning and NAAA General Session on Tuesday morning

• Educational & Training Sessions, including the NAAREF Safety Session on Thursday afternoon

• The popular NAAA Trade Show featuring 150+ companies

• Live & Silent Auction• Networking - plenty of receptions, time between

sessions and evenings to network• Support Committee Programming for spouses

and support staff• Sessions for new or low time ag pilots: Compaass

Rose & "Ask The Expert" Speed Mentoring Sessions throughout the Ag Aviation Expo

2019 Membership Application

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40% of your dues is not tax deductible due to lobbyist expenses

Make Check Payable to:NATA - 521 First Street, Milford, NE 68405Phone: 402-761-2216 Fax: 402.761.2224

Deadline to be included in the 2019 Membership Directory is March 15, 2019!

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