February 14, 2011
Collaboration with NAAA incentivizes aerial applicators to participate in S.A.F.E. fly-ins
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC February 14, 2011 – BASF will continue support of Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) fly-ins in 2011 through its collaboration with the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA). Through the partnership, BASF provides financial support for participating aerial applicators, which can be used towards membership in NAAA or for new spray equipment.
“More than 800 aerial applicators participated in 99 Operation S.A.F.E. fly-ins over the last two years,” said Tony Goede, BASF Plant Health Coordinator. “This important program helps ensure efficiency for the entire aerial application industry.”
In order to take advantage of the BASF Equipment and NAAA Membership Rebate Program, an operator or pilot must be an NAAA member. Although it is not necessary to be a member to participate in an Operation S.A.F.E. fly-in, that person must become an NAAA member before applying for and being granted approval for the rebate application. Then the operator or pilot can apply to be reimbursed for some or all of their 2011 membership dues or submit receipts to receive a rebate for nozzles and/or tips purshased for the aircraft.
“This program is proven to enhance professionalism in the aerial application industry by directing aerial applicators to join NAAA, where they have access to the library of education and communication stewardship services offered by the association,” said Andrew Moore, Executive Director of NAAA. “The program also allows applicators to equip their aircraft with new equipment to ensure precise applications. We appreciate BASF’s commitment to the industry, and thank them for making this incentive program available.”
Along with offering reliable, effective products like HeadlineAMP™ fungicide to the agricultural aviation industry, this BASF program is part of ongoing stewardship efforts for aerial applicators, and the safe and proper application of its products. Visit www.plant-health-pilots.com for the variety of resources BASF provides aerial applicators, including an “Ask the Expert” section for your toughest aerial application questions and true flight stories from aerial applicators across the country.
Operation S.A.F.E. was developed in 1981 by NAAA and managed by the National Agricultural Aviation Research & Education Foundation (NAAREF). The program is designed to demonstrate that agricultural aviators recognize their responsibility to ensure precise agricultural chemical applications.
Operation S.A.F.E. clinics give operators and pilots the opportunity to test equipment with a trained analyst to help interpret the information and to recommend changes to improve performance. Held regularly throughout the year, the fly-ins help applicators learn about and comply with all pertinent legal requirements. In addition, participating applicators agree to submit voluntarily to an inspection of their aircraft and recognize the importance of using operating procedures to ensure:
- Compliance with manufacturers’ mixing rates, application recommendations, and label requirements of agricultural chemicals.
- Adequacy of safety procedures in storing and handling agricultural chemicals.
- Compliance with flight safety procedures.
NAAA encourages every operator and pilot to participate in an Operation S.A.F.E. clinic annually.
“Operation S.A.F.E. fly-ins are a great opportunity for applicators and one of the best means of evaluating spray patterns, droplet size and application precision,” Goede said. “BASF also is working hard to increase participation and NAAA membership, for the good of everyone in the industry.”
For more information about Operation S.A.F.E., please visit the NAAA website at http://www.agaviation.org/content/operation-safe.
About the Crop Protection division
With sales of €3.6 billion in 2009, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/basfagro and subscribe via RSS: www.basf.com/rss to our news feed.
BASF - The Chemical Company.
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.us.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA)
The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) represents more than 1,600 members in 46 states. NAAA supports the interests of small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators that use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and bio-fuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests. For more information about NAAA and the aerial application industry, visit www.agaviation.org.
Always read and follow label directions.
©2011 BASF Corporation. All Rights Reserved. APN 11-11-002-0023hl-6
