by Bill Lavender
MARIANNA, AR - Attending one of three University of Arkansas sponsored S.A.F.E. fly-in application clinics, Arkansas ag-pilots prepared to meet new regulations. Effective January 1, 2003, all Arkansas ag-aircraft that apply herbicides must pass a rigorous inspection by the Arkansas State Plant Board. These inspections include:
• Boom length not to exceed 70% of the wing span (80% of the rotor span for helicopters)
• Boom positioned 10 inches below the bottom trailing edge of the wing
• Any boom length more than six inches past the last nozzle must have an air bleed line
• A low-point sample valve colored Hunter Orange installed
• All nozzles positioned with less than 30¡ angled back relative to the slipstream
• No leaks in application system and all components functional
• Arkansas Custom Applicator decal properly displayed at cockpit entrance
An ASPB form DP58 must be filled out, documenting each application rate and set-up can develop droplet spectrums in the ASAE medium or larger category. The temperature must be recorded for all applications.
Applicators had a choice of three clinics to attend to prepare their paperwork; Frost Flying Service/Marianna, Walnut Ridge and Dumas. Inspections by the Plant Board typically will be at the operatorÕs place of business. At the Frost Flying Service clinic, hosted by Frost Flying Service and University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas State Plant Board inspectors were given hands-on training using one of Frost Flying Service's AT-602s. The class was instructed by Dr. Dennis Gardisser of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. The three-hour training session allowed the inspectors to have a close-up view of the type aircraft they would be inspecting, as well as a question and answer session. Included at these clinics were Geographic Information Systems (GIS) workshops conducted by Suzanne Wiley, GIS Specialist for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Ms. Wiley explained how aerial applicators can plan and monitor their applications using spatial data and GIS. Through the use of the internet, applicators can locate application sites, determine the exact acreage of areas to treat, as well as identify surrounding areas for towers, schools, roads, land formations, wet lands, streams, lakes and other bodies of water. This information can be presented in a layered format, overlapping each other, or on an individual basis.
Ms. Wiley's presentation demonstrated to the applicators an in-depth look at how to access the GIS data. She also presented to the attendees software and handouts to help with utilizing GIS to its fullest capabilities.
The remaining days of the meeting were devoted to checking aircraft dry and wet patterns. Two days for each, wet and dry, were allocated for each type of application, using the latest application evaluation technology equipment. From the acquired data, Dr. Gardisser would explain improvements the applicator could make to his aircraft.
Typically, about 160 ag-aircraft participate in this three-week activity each year. This year Honeywell provided a new dry formulation of ammonia sulfate for testing and evaluation at the workships.
Each Monday evening of the fly-ins included an informative update by a number of agencies; FAA, ASPB, NAAA, AAAA, Mr./Mrs. Ron Harrod, Department of Environmental Quality, insurance, a hearty meal and a fly-in briefing for the weekÕs activity.