April 22, 2009

ALMA, MI - On April 22-23, 2009, many of the state's aerial applicators will demonstrate their aviation skills while the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) conducts precision, safety and security inspections of their aircraft and spray systems as part of the Michigan "Operation SAFE Fly-In." Operation SAFE is an annual event held in cooperation with MDA, the Michigan Agricultural Aviation Association and Michigan State University Extension as a self-regulating application flight efficiency (SAFE) clinic. The event provides a hands-on opportunity to address any questions related to pesticide use regulations before the upcoming season.

"This year's fly-in, facilitates partnerships that are key to ensuring aerial pesticide application standards for safety and security are met and that training and equipment are up-to-date. Such efforts ensure that the utmost precautions are taken to protect the environment and human health," said Don Koivisto, MDA Director. "Additionally, the event further demonstrates the commitment of both the state and the industry to provide safe and proper pesticide spraying and aircraft handling, which is a key part of the our environmental stewardship and consumer protection efforts."

MDAwill administer aircraft equipment calibration and characterization test flights for each pilot along with an aircraft spray system inspection. The pilots will simulate an application by flying low over a line of water-sensitive cards and a new string line. Spray droplets landing on the cards will be 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. Approximately 15 pilots with aircraft attend Operation SAFE annually. Attending Operation SAFE once every three years with an aircraft meets the legal requirements for renewing applicator certification or a business license issued by MDA.

Aerial applications are one tool to help protect or enhance agricultural crops or public health. 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.

MDArequires 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 24 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. This year, operation SAFE will be hosted by Al's Aerial Spraying at the Alma Airport, also called Gratiot Community Airport, located just south and west of Alma at 3999 West Seaman Road, Alma, Michigan.

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(Editor's note: Photos of Operation SAFE are available through the MDA online press room at http://mda.state.mi.us/galleries/OpSAFE/index.htmor via the MDA Facebook page.)