April 23, 2008

LAKEVIEW (Montcalm Co.) - Today many of the state’s aerial applicators demonstrated their aviation skills while the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) conducted precision, safety, and security inspections of their aircraft and spray systems as part of MDA’s "Operation SAFE Fly-In." Operation SAFE (Self-regulating Application Flight Efficiency) is an annual event held in cooperation with MDA, the Michigan Agricultural Aviation Association, and Michigan State University Extension as a SAFE clinic. Approximately 10 to 15 pilots with aircraft participated in today’s Operation SAFE event.

“Operation SAFE demonstrates the commitment of both the state and the industry to provide safe and proper pesticide spraying and aircraft handling, which is a key component of MDA’s environmental stewardship and consumer protection mission,” said MDA Director Don Koivisto. “This event ensures the utmost precautions are
taken to protect the environment and human health, and provides a hands-on opportunity to address any questions related to pesticide use regulations before the upcoming season.”

Operation SAFE is a comprehensive program of education, professional analysis of application, and commitment by the agriculture aviation industry to minimize the potential for adverse health and environmental effects of agricultural chemical application. For example, agricultural aviators may seed wheat fields, help mitigate gypsy moth infestations or health-threatening mosquito populations, or apply pesticides to agricultural crops suffering from insect or disease pests.

“This year’s fly-in facilitated key partnerships critical to ensuring aerial pesticide application standards for safety and security are met as well as to make sure both training and equipment are up-to-date,” said John Hill, MDA regional supervisor and certified SAFE analyst. “Aerial applications are one tool Michigan’s agricultural community uses to help protect or enhance agricultural crops or public health.”

Hill is one of only 25 certified SAFE analysts in the nation.

MDA administered aircraft equipment calibration and characterization test flights for each pilot along with an aircraft spray system inspection. The pilots simulated an application by flying low over a line of water-sensitive cards and a new string line.

Spray droplets landing on the cards were counted and analyzed by a computer-assisted instrument to ensure proper characterization of spray droplets. The string line is used to absorb spray material to characterize spray pattern deposition.

MDA requires any aerial application firm working in Michigan to be licensed annually. In addition, pilots are certified and participate in a continuing education program. There are 25 state-licensed aerial application firms.

Operation SAFE began in April 1981 in Lakeview, Michigan. Each year it is held in a different location and hosted by a different commercial aerial applicator service. Maurice’s Flying Service, Griffith Field Airport, located in Lakeview, Michigan, hosted this year’s event.

For more information, please visit MDA’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/mda or the National Agricultural Aviation Association Web site at www.agaviation.org.