2025-2026 PAASS - Arizona AAA

Includes a Live In-Person Event on 01/12/2026 at 9:00 AM (MST)

The 2025-2026 PAASS program will begin with a review and analysis of agricultural aviation accidents that occurred during the 2025 application season. The human factors segment will focus on the importance of performing a weight and balance for agricultural aircraft. The environmental professionalism segment will cover utilization of larger droplet size models and understanding compliance with EPA's Pesticide Strategies. The security segment will discuss surveillance measures to employ in aerial application operations. View Full Summary

Event Date
12 Jan 2026 -- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM MT

Event Location
The Pint House Bar & Grill Meeting Room
265 S. Main Street
Yuma, AZ 85364

Brian Rau

Medina Flying Service

Brian and his wife Elly operate Medina Flying Service located in central North Dakota. They spray numerous crops including potatoes, wheat, sunflowers, soybeans and other minor use crops with a 500 gallon Thrush. They also spread cover crop for erosion control and assist with aerial fire suppression for their local fire department.

Brian has been involved in the aerial application business since 1979 and has been an NAAA member since 1985. He has held numerous offices in the NAAA including President in 2010. He has also served on the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation (NAAREF) board of directors.

Brian is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating. He is the North Dakota Liaison to the Recreational Aviation Foundation.

Brian is a Nationally Registered Paramedic and works with his local volunteer ambulance service and the Medina Fire Department. Brian farms with his 2 brothers and nephew in central North Dakota. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from North Dakota State University.

Scott Bretthauer, PhD

National Agricultural Aviation Association

Scott grew up on a farm in northern Illinois before attending the University of Illinois, where he received his Ph.D. He spent 14 years an Extension Specialist in Application Technology with the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Scott’s work focused on providing technical assistance on pesticide application equipment, nozzle selection and usage, drift reduction technologies, and sprayer calibration.

Since 2017, Scott has served as the Director of Policy, Education and Safety for NAAA. He assists with protecting aerial applications during the pesticide registration review process, creating the PAASS program, and other NAAREF safety efforts. Scott is an Operation S.A.F.E. analyst and conducts the fly-ins for Illinois as well as other locations.

Scott has been involved with PAASS program development since 2004 and has been a PAASS presenter since 2008. He is honored to help deliver the program. While he is not an agricultural pilot, Scott has a strong belief in the importance of the industry and is committed to helping enhance the efficacy and safety of aerial application.