Flying a Cessna 188, Dale Bittner of Norfolk, Nebraska makes a pass across the string at the NATA Operation SAFE fly-in hosted by Dale’s Flying Service.
Note the prop wash effect to the nozzle spray at the inboard right wing root.
Photo by Bob Boardman of Boardman Aerial Spraying.

Operation SAFE Clinics

by Bill Lavender
For over 20 years, Operation SAFE (Self-regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) spray clinics have been an integral part of ag-aviation in the United States. Operation SAFE was formed in 1981 by the National Agricultural Aviation Association with the clear intent of demonstrating that ag-aviation recognizes its responsibility to minimize the potential for adverse health and environmental effects of agricultural aviation applications.

The advent of Operation SAFE has spread to almost every state conducting ag-aviation operations. Certified Operation SAFE analysts conduct Operation SAFE clinics. Every ag-pilot knows, that by attending an Operation SAFE clinic, he will improve his aircraft’s swath and ability to apply wet and dry materials in a safe and efficient manner. At many Operation SAFE clinics, the FAA is present to offer the PACE program (Pilot Aircraft Courtesy Evaluation) where a voluntary inspection is made of the operator’s aircraft, more commonly known as a “ramp check”. However, with PACE, there are no violations issued and no records are made of discrepancies, allowing the operator to rectify the problem on his own.

Many state organizations conduct multiple Operation SAFE clinics. Arkansas Operation SAFE clinics are of the more publicized, due in part to the large number of ag-aircraft operating in Arkansas and the ongoing research and participation by Dr. Dennis Gardisser of the University of Arkansas Extension Service and his company, WRK.
At a recent Arkansas Operation SAFE clinic in Walnut Ridge, Gardisser conducted 38 analyses in one day. Of the 416 ag aircraft registered in Arkansas, over 150 will be checked in 2006 at one of the four Arkansas Operation SAFE clinics.

Sky Tractor’s Ron Deck of Hillsboro, North Dakota and Bob Boardman of Aurora, Nebraska submitted photos and captions for the Operation SAFE clinics in Nebraska and North Dakota. These featured clinics are exemplary of the many Operation SAFE clinics conducted throughout the United States. Also, other countries with ag-aviation follow the example of Operation SAFE and conduct similar clinics, testing and evaluating swath and application disposition of ag-aircraft worldwide.