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Aviation History
1983
1983 - 0018.PDF
American ag aviation meets ••<<.• ' NAAAaims at higher efficiency The new year will be one of challenge, US National Agri cultural Aviation Association president Roy Wood tells members: "Our customer—the farmer—has suffered from low prices; and [that] over production is a credit to our industry." American agriculture is in a state of re-evaluation, he says. With high interest rates as well as low prices, the farmer has reduced his use of tools and outside services. "But the people and the equipment needed to provide replace ments are ready to perform better than ever before." Number One priority in 1983 is NAAA's Operation SAFE. "We need to qualify for recognition, and to im prove our productivity," says Wood. Operation SAFE (Self- regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) is a plan to provide operators with an op portunity to improve work quality and quantity. The pro gramme aims to reduce costs by teaching good work prac tice, and proper handling and use of chemicals. Ultimately, everyone will benefit: oper- The US National Agricultural Aviation Association chose Las Vegas during the year's wettest week for its annual convention. Ian Goold and Stephen Piercey report from Nevada. ators, farmers, the environ ment, and food and fibre users, says NAAA's Harold Collins. Ag aviation is nearing "the library stage". The pioneers learned by trial and error; to day there is an accumulation of experience upon which to draw. The current state of the art and modern society leaves no room for error. The atten tion being paid in North America is proof, says Collins, of the interest in the industry, and of its efforts to improve economy, accuracy, safety and effectiveness. Not only are pilots more conscientious of drift control, but airframe manufacturers are working toward improve ments with more efficient spray systems and less drift potential, says Roy Wood. An increasing number of pilots are using computers to run their business; "we can no longer just go out there and spray acres and hope to make a profit. We have to analyse our operations. If there's one thing good about the current situation, it's that it is making us all better businessmen as well as ag pilots." Some 30 ag aircraft "drove" from McCarran International to the Las Vegas Convention Centre. Below Cessna's best-selling aircraft kept Thrushes company 20 FLIGHT International, 1 January 1983
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