2022-2023 PAASS - CREDIT
Recorded On: 03/21/2023
The 2022-2023 PAASS program will focus on the main goals of PAASS – to reduce agricultural aviation accidents and improve the industry’s environmental professionalism. PAASS has been acknowledged by the U.S. EPA, FAA and the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO) and is also presented in Canada. PAASS will be four hours in length and time will be allowed during the program for attendee discussions and sharing of experiences involving issues and practices related to their own operations. PAASS will begin with a review and analysis of agricultural aviation accidents that occurred during the 2022 application season.
The 2022-2023 PAASS program will then move to education aimed at reducing wire strike accidents. Over the five-year period from 2017 to 2021, there have been 51 wire strike accidents involving agricultural aircraft. These wire strike accidents represent 16% of these total agricultural aviation accidents and 24% of the fatal accidents during the five years. PAASS will teach participants about vision science and why it is often difficult, if not impossible, to see the actual wires during an application. Because of this, wires need to be treated as an invisible hazard. Agricultural aviators will learn how to identify support structure and hardware to determine the location of wires. It is critical that situational awareness is maintained at all times while working the wire environment, and that pilots know how to react correctly in their situation. From 2017 to 2021, in 61% of the wire strike accidents for which is could be determined the pilots were aware of the wire they struck. PAASS will therefore train pilots how to keep wires and other obstacles in the forefront of their mind so they do not forget about or lose track of them. Classroom and cockpit instruction from an agricultural aviation school will provide additional lessons on how to scout for wires and apply safely around them. Reducing wire strike accidents will save lives and reduce potential spills associated with agricultural aircraft accidents.
The environmental professional program will discuss the use of large spray droplets for reducing the risk of drift while also maintaining efficacy. PAASS will focus on an operator who is successfully making applications using a droplet size larger then commonly used in the aerial application industry. There are several ways that an agricultural aircraft can be set up to make larger droplet sizes, including nozzle selection, operating the spraying system at higher pressure, and reducing aircraft speed while still maintaining flight safety. Participants will see how the impact of using the larger droplets reducies the risk of drift. Just as importantly, they will also see how the application setups are being used to make efficacious applications. A concern for many aerial applicators is that the use of larger droplets can reduce coverage and thus negatively impact the efficacy of the application. Examples of pest control from the operator as well as results from a research study conducted by the USDA-ARS Aerial Application Research and Technology will document success in making effective applications with a large droplet size.
The security segment of the 2022-2023 PAASS program will discuss an intentional fuel contamination incident that occurred at an operation causing one accident and one near miss. The incident is a reminder to all agricultural aviators that security is essential for their safety as well as that of their customers and the public. PAASS will also talk about the importance of inspecting nozzles for correct alignment and include a question-and-answer session to improve aerial applicator’s knowledge.
[Note: This course intended solely for C-PAASS applicants needing to make up 2022-2023 PAASS]
NAAREF strongly recommends attending the PAASS Program in-person at your local state/regional convention. However, for those who were unable to do so, this virtual option to view the PAASS program will serve as the sole Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC). Specifically, this is a Zoom webinar recording of the 2022-2023 PAASS Program given by two veteran PAASS Presenters.
Duration: Approximately 4 hours, however, you will have 24 hours to complete the program once you start it.
Register for this course using the green Register button to submit payment. This course is available for NAAA members only.
Contact information@agaviation.org if you require username/password assistance.
Damon Reabe
Dairyland Aviation Inc. / Reabe Spraying Service Inc.
Damon is a third-generation aerial applicator from Wisconsin who grew up on the family airport and farm. He was taught to fly by his grandfather Roy Reabe who started the family business in 1945. Damon left the family farm and business after high school and graduated from Mankato State University with a BS in Aviation and Marketing. At the end of his colligate studies Damon launched a 15-year career as corporate pilot flying jet aircraft throughout the world. As a corporate pilot, Damon worked his way from line pilot to being one of only three flight standards pilots of the largest corporate aircraft management company of the time. He was responsible for developing, implementing and ensuring compliance of company safety procedures.
Damon got his start as an aerial applicator in 1997 under the tutelage of his father, Tom Reabe, and began helping out as a part time pilot. In 2009, Damon resigned his position as a flight standards pilot and took his father’s place as President of Reabe Spraying Service, a Wisconsin aerial application company. Over the past twenty seasons Damon has been actively spraying in Piper Pawnees, AT-400’s, AT-502’s, S2R-660, Bell 206 and an AT-802. Damon served the Wisconsin Agricultural Aviation Association as President from 2010 until 2016 and currently serves on the NAAA Board of Directors as the Wisconsin representative. He is currently serving as chairman of the Government Relations Committee.
During the winter of 2016-2017, the family executed a succession plan allowing Tyler Reabe and Curt Meister to become part owners in Reabe Spraying Service and forming Dairyland Aviation which operates out of Waupun, WI. Damon is the President of both Dairyland Aviation and Reabe Spraying Service.
Damon is fortunate to have met and married his wife of 13 years, Mary Reabe, who does the book keeping for both companies. They are raising their two children, Caroline and Max in Ripon, WI. Damon says, “I have been very lucky to have a spouse that not only puts up with the demands of this job and industry, but supports participation in safety programs such as PAASS.”
Dominique Youakim
Aerinova Aerial Inc.
Dominique Youakim of Charleston, Ill., is the owner and operator of Aerinova Aerial LLC, an aerial application business located in Mattoon, Ill. He also owns a helicopter tour business in St. Louis and Branson, Mo., and is an authorized Robinson helicopter dealer. He has two children, a son and daughter, Aiden and Aubrey.
Before finding his niche as an aerial applicator, Dominique worked in corporate America as a vice president of operations for a manufacturing plant. He worked for the manufacturer from 1995 to 2005. During that same period, he earned his commercial pilot certificate. Ready for a less travel-intensive career, Dominique gave up his corporate job for the opportunity to become an agricultural pilot in 2005. His mentor, Rick Reed of Reed’s Fly-on Farming, hired him as a full-time pilot that year. In 2013, Dominique purchased Reed’s Mattoon-based operation, which now operates under the name Aerinova Aerial LLC.
In 2006, Dominique completed the NAAA/Syngenta Leadership Training Program, which develops new leaders and advocates for the agricultural aviation industry. He served as secretary/treasurer of the Illinois Agricultural Aviation Association in 2007–2008. He joined NAAA’s board of directors as the Illinois AAA’s state representative in 2009. From 2012 to 2016, Dominique chaired NAAA’s bylaws committee. In 2016, he served as the association’s vice president and was elected president for 2017.
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