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• The name and address of each person for whom agricultural aircraft services were provided.
• The date of the service.
• The name and quantity of the material dispensed for each operation conducted.
• The name, address, and certificate number of each pilot used in agricultural aircraft operations and the date that pilot met the knowledge and skills requirements of § 137.19(e).
2.6.5 Inform Personnel of Duties and Responsibilities. Under § 137.41(a), private and commercial operators must ensure that each person used in an agricultural aircraft operation is informed of their duties and responsibilities for the operation. A private or commercial agricultural aircraft operator is not required to have an operations manual;
therefore, it is important for them to develop safe operating procedures that all personnel can easily understand. The FAA will evaluate and determine whether the operator’s method for informing personnel is acceptable. A commercial operator may also wish to keep a written record to indicate that personnel have been informed of their duties and responsibilities (refer to § 137.71(a)(4)).
2.6.6 Inspection. For both private and commercial agricultural aircraft operators, the Airworthiness inspector will inspect the aircraft, aircraft records, and dispensing equipment. The following considerations determine if the aircraft is safe to conduct the proposed operation:
• Aircraft and aircraft maintenance records, as applicable.
• Compliance with all applicable Airworthiness Directives (AD), as applicable.
• Proper certification and airworthiness of aircraft in full compliance, unless otherwise exempted.
• Up-to-date inspection status, as applicable.
• The aircraft has seat belts and approved shoulder harnesses installed for each pilot station, unless otherwise exempted.
• The aircraft is appropriately equipped for agricultural operations.
• The aircraft is equipped to prevent inadvertent release by the pilot or other crewmember, if it is equipped to release the tank or hopper as a unit.
• The aircraft is in a condition for safe operation.
2.6.7 Restricted-Category Aircraft. Part 21, or the operating limitations established for the aircraft, may not require a flight manual for restricted-category aircraft. Performance information may be found in an applicable military technical order, operating limitation, placard, flight test performance data established by the aircraft manufacturer, or any combination of these. Performance information provided by a designated engineering representative is satisfactory.
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2.6.8 Load Jettisoning. Should questions arise concerning the load jettisoning capability of the aircraft used in congested-area operations, applicants must present jettisoning test data which show that the aircraft is equipped with a device capable of jettisoning at least one-half of the aircraft’s maximum authorized load of agricultural materials within 45 seconds. If such data is not determined for the aircraft, or if any doubt exists concerning meeting this requirement, the inspector should have the applicant conduct an in-flight load jettisoning demonstration. During the test, the aircraft must be loaded with any suitable material (e.g., lime, sand, and water) and the inspector observes the demonstration from the ground. The discharge of material from the aircraft should be timed to determine compliance with the 45-second jettisoning requirement. Jettisoning does not apply to helicopters (§ 137.53(c)(2)).
2.6.9 Home Base of Operations. Part 137 does not specify the type of physical facilities applicants must have as an agricultural operator. This is usually governed by state and local regulations, and to some extent by regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). FAA inspectors have no enforcement capability for state, local, or EPA areas. The inspector’s duty is to determine that the applicant’s practices and procedures at the base of operations conform to the regulations prescribed in part 137.
2.6.10 Minimum Equipment List (MEL). Most manufacturers of restricted-category aircraft used in agricultural operations have not developed or requested approval for a Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL). Despite the guidance in AC 91-67, Minimum Equipment Requirements for General Aviation Operations Under FAR Part 91, an operator of a small, single-engine, turbopropeller agricultural aircraft may use the generic part 91 single-engine MMEL shown in the MMEL subsystem. If an applicant wishes to use this document, they must develop maintenance and operational item procedures for their operation. Part 137 currently does not contain provisions for the use of an MEL by part 137 operators. The MEL approval process for part 137 operators is the same that is used for part 91 operations (refer to Order 8900.1, Volume 4, Chapter 4, Section 2, MEL Requirements for 14 CFR Parts 91, 137, and 142 Operators) for approval of an MMEL for use as an MEL by means of a Letter of Authorization (LOA). The MEL LOA template (Operations Specification (OpSpec) D095, Minimum Equipment List (MEL) Authorization) is available in the Web-based Operations Safety System (WebOPSS) for part 137 operators.
2.6.11 Knowledge Test. The Operations inspector conducts a knowledge and skill test during the applicant’s initial part 137 certification. As required by § 137.19(e), the applicant or their designated chief supervisor will be the testing candidate. This requirement applies to applicants who seek either a Private or Commercial Operating Certificate.
2.6.11.1 The objective of the knowledge and skill test is to determine the knowledge and abilities of the pilots applicants use and to determine that they are qualified to act as pilot in command (PIC) of an agricultural aircraft. If the pilot was previously qualified under part 137, the CPM may not require the pilot to take a knowledge and skill test provided that the proper logbook endorsements or a letter of competency from an FAA ASI is available.
Operators must also demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the
2-8 applicable exemption and/or waiver they may be operating under (e.g., UAS operations).
2.6.11.2 The pilot must have adequate knowledge of operating limitations for the aircraft (contained in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) or the pilot’s operating handbook (POH)) to be used under the applicable requirements contained in § 91.9 and part 107. Weight and Balance (W&B) information will receive special emphasis. The applicant and the pilot must also be knowledgeable of the aircraft’s performance capability. Knowledge of performance capability includes items such as:
1. Stall speeds at maximum certificated gross weight, straight ahead, power off, and flaps up.
2. Best rate and best angle of climb speed.
3. Maneuvering speeds.
4. Density Altitude (DA) and its effect on performance.
5. Performance capabilities and operating limitations of the aircraft to be used.
6. Takeoff distance required to clear a 50-foot obstacle at maximum certificated gross weight with zero wind (manned aircraft).
2.6.11.3 Applicants and the pilot must also be knowledgeable of UAS-specific performance capability (if operating a UAS). Specific performance capability includes items such as:
1. Performance of the aircraft within the proposed flight envelope.
2. System response and safeguards used to mitigate the risk of engine power loss.
3. Failed signal input from the control station procedures.
4. Considerations for payload equipment configurations that significantly change W&B, electrical loads, or flight dynamics.
5. Aircraft lost link and emergency recovery procedures.
6. Sequence the UA will follow in the event control link is lost.
7. Determination of and thresholds for radio signal strength and/or health.
8. Communication procedures between the PIC and the visual observer (VO) during operations, to include lost communication procedures.
9. Method(s) in place for see and avoid, including the flightcrew that hold this responsibility.
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10. Aircraft reaction during takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing in the event of a lost link.
11. Operations from a moving vehicle, if applicable.
12. Loss of sight of UA procedures.
13. Manned aircraft avoidance.
2.6.11.4 Applicants must demonstrate their knowledge of the limitations involved with agricultural aircraft operations, which includes:
1. Limitations on passenger carrying.
2. Limitations on W&B.
3. Limitations on operating without position lights.
4. Limitations on dispensing in congested areas.
5. Limitations on not observing standard airport traffic patterns.
6. Limitations on altitude, per § 91.119, concerning ferrying to and from dispensing sites.
2.6.11.5 If applicants seek approval to dispense economic poisons, they must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of 1) the methods to safeguard the pilot against contamination, and 2) the safe handling of economic poisons. The knowledge test will consist of the following subject areas:
1. Steps to be taken before starting operations, including survey of the area to be worked.
2. Safe handling of economic poisons and the proper disposal of used containers for those poisons.
3. The general effects of economic poisons and agricultural chemicals on plants, animals, and persons, with emphasis on those normally used in the areas of intended operations; and the precautions to observe when using poisons and chemicals.
4. Primary symptoms of persons affected by economic poisons, the appropriate emergency measures to take, and the location of poison control centers.
5. Safe flight and application procedures.
2.6.11.6 Economic poisons manufactured for interstate use must, by regulations, be registered with the EPA. Those poisons must be labeled, showing the brand name, active ingredients, inert ingredients, directions for use, warning, net contents, and name and address of manufacturer or registrant. The label normally contains other detailed instructions concerning the effects on plants, animals, and persons. When required by § 137.19(e), applicants must have
2-10 satisfactory knowledge of the general effects and precautions described on the label of the economic poison that they normally use in the area of operation.
2.6.11.7 Applicants should be knowledgeable about recommended methods for disposing of used pesticide containers. EPA-approved methods for disposal are contained on the pesticide label. Applicants should be aware of state and local laws that may require additional precautions.
2.6.11.8 If an applicant does not apply for authorization to dispense economic poisons, the inspector will not test them on § 137.19(e)(1)(ii)–(iv). The statement of competency that is issued will reflect that the pilot is not authorized to dispense economic poisons. The knowledge test will consist of the following subject areas:
1. Steps to take before starting operations, including a survey of the work area.
2. Performance capabilities and operating limitations of the aircraft to be used.
3. Safe flight and application procedures.
2.6.11.9 Applicants should be aware that the Operations inspector may give the knowledge test in either an oral or written format. Applicants may find it useful to study the following samples to prepare for the knowledge test:
1. When dispensing a highly toxic chemical, what instruction would you give your flagger, if one is being used?
2. How would you dispose of containers that held a toxic poison?
3. What are some of the symptoms of chronic toxic effect, the cumulative buildup of chemicals in the body?
4. Where is the nearest poison control center?
5. If you have mild symptoms of organophosphate poisoning, can you administer the recommended antidote yourself and continue work until an appointment with a doctor can be arranged?
6. What emergency action would you take if a known contamination exists?
7. Indicate your swath runs and procedure turns over the following field, when dispensing a herbicide that could damage plants in the congested area.
8. Would you apply a chemical, such as a highly toxic insecticide, to this field? (If so, how and when?)
9. How long should you keep records that are required by § 137.71?
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10. While airborne, what steps would you take before starting your first swath run?
11. What precautions should you take in applying insecticides adjacent to a lake, stream, or fish-stocked earth tank?
12. Does your agricultural aircraft operator’s certificate allow you to fly under 500 feet over-the-top, or closer than 500 feet horizontal to a farm building site while going to or from your base of operation and the field you are to treat?
13. What steps should you take before you can dispense chemicals over a city, town, settlement, or other congested area?
14. Does your aircraft have to be inspected before you can engage in applying insecticide over a congested area?
15. In your procedure left turn, you misjudge your turn and roll out 300 feet to the right side of your intended course. How would you correct this error?
16. In order to dispense chemicals over a congested area, you are required by part 137 (unless otherwise exempted) to have your aircraft equipped with which of the following:
• Stall warning horn.
• Tank quantity gauge.
• Emergency dump valve or chemical jettison device.
• Boom pressure gauge.
17. What certificate or certificates have to be carried on an aircraft engaged in agricultural aircraft operations?
18. You are flying a restricted-category agricultural aircraft with a belly unit and two seats. Can you use this aircraft for purposes other than agricultural operations?
19. Are you required to wear a crash helmet during operations?
20. Describe in detail the dangers involved with a hot, heavy, downwind turn.
21. As your bank increases, what happens to your stall speed?
2.6.11.9.1 UAS-specific types of questions:
1. Performance of the aircraft within the proposed flight envelope.
2. System response and safeguards used to mitigate the risk of engine power loss.
3. Failed signal input from the control station procedures.
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4. Considerations for payload equipment configurations that significantly change W&B, electrical loads, or flight dynamics.
5. Aircraft lost link and emergency recovery procedures.
6. Sequence the UA will follow in the event control link is lost.
7. Determination of and thresholds for radio signal strength and/or health.
8. Communication procedures between the PIC and the VO during operations, including loss of sight of UA.
9. Method(s) in place for see and avoid, including the flightcrew members that hold this responsibility.
10. Aircraft reaction during takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing in the event of a lost link.
11. Manned aircraft avoidance.
2.6.12 Skill Test. For the skill test, the aircraft’s tanks or hoppers must be loaded with any suitable material (e.g., water, lime, or sand). Load to the maximum certificated takeoff weight or the maximum weight established for the special-purpose load, whichever is greater. Current environmental conditions can also be a factor for the maximum weight.
Operators must ensure that the dispensing equipment is free from chemicals and chemical residue.
2.6.12.1 While not required by regulation (but may be required by the AFM), a flight helmet can provide the pilot with added protection in the event of an accident.
The FAA encourages pilots to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved or military specifications flight helmet when operating agricultural aircraft in dispensing operations.
2.6.12.2 Before beginning the skill test, the inspector will inform the pilot/applicant of expectations and performance requirements, and factors that could lead to disqualification. The pilot/applicant are evaluated on piloting skill and operational judgment in the following skill testing task areas:
1. Crewmember (including ground crew and VOs, if applicable) coordination and loading procedures.
2. Engine start, warm-up, and taxi procedures.
3. Short-field and soft-field takeoffs (airplanes and gyroplanes only), directional control, liftoff, and climb.
• One soft-field takeoff and climb (airplanes and gyroplanes only).
• Short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb.
4. Approaches to the working area (may be exempted for UAS).
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• Satisfactory aerial survey of area for obstructions (manned aircraft and UA).
• Proper method of beginning operations (normally, starting operation crosswind on downwind side of field).
5. Flareout.
• Should not touch ground or crop during flareout.
• Should be consistently at same height and proper position over field on several flareouts.
6. Swath runs.
• Consistent altitude (plus or minus 5 feet).
• Four or more passes demonstrated.
Note: Looking behind the aircraft at the spray pattern during swath run is disqualifying. The flight should be executed so as not to fly through the spray droplets or the dust of previous swath. Spacing successive swath runs to place the wing tip into or overlapping the vortices of the previous swath is not disqualifying.
• Start and stop the spray application within the target area and prevent drift onto adjacent fields.
7. Pullups and turnarounds (may be exempted for UAS).
• Consistent height in turnarounds, obstructions permitting.
• Smooth and coordinated.
• Turn in proper direction relative to wind, obstructions, and field layout.
• Obstruction clearance before starting turn.
• Proper throttle, flap, and hopper or tank control.
8. Clean-up swath or trim passes.
• Recognize the need for clean-up swath.
• Adequately cover area to be treated.
9. Jettisoning of remainder of load after swath runs in the event of in-flight emergency.
10. Rapid deceleration or quick stops (helicopter and rotorcraft UAS only).
11. Approach, touchdown, and directional control on landing.
• One landing.
• Adequate precautions used around turning propellers or rotor blades.
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12. Taxi, engine shutdown, and securing of aircraft.
13. For UAS operations:
• Communication procedures during normal and lost communications between the PIC and essential crewmembers (e.g., VO).
• Ability to operate the UA in accordance with applicable operating documents.
• Lost link procedures.
• Risk mitigation associated with UAS operation (e.g., radio signal interference, and separation from manned aircraft)
2.6.13 Phase Completion.
2.6.13.1 If either the knowledge test or skill test results are unsatisfactory, the CPM notifies the pilot and applicant in writing of the disposition of the test. The pilot and/or applicant must schedule another appointment with the team to retake the test.
2.6.13.2 Applicants may not progress through the certification process before satisfactorily completing the tasks of the Demonstration and Inspection Phase.
The CPM terminates the Demonstration and Inspection Phase only upon the applicant’s successful completion of the required tasks.
2.7 The Certification Phase. Applicants receive the appropriate Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate (private or commercial) after the certification team concludes that all qualifications are met. Applicable authorizations, such as an approval to use an MEL, will be prepared and issued from WebOPSS. The operator will be issued an LOA from WebOPSS. These are considered “part 137 authorizations” and are not OpSpecs. These are used as a national tracking system for all part 137 operators and aircraft.
2.8 Termination of the Certification Process. During any phase, the CPM can terminate the certification process if an applicant does not adequately correct a discrepancy noted by the certification team. Applicants receive written notification of denial of certification through a notice of disapproval. This document, denying the issuance of an Operating Certificate, includes the remarks pertaining to the denial. The application is returned with the notice. The certification team returns any other documentation an applicant submitted. If they address all of the remarks in the notice of disapproval and wish to become a candidate for an Operating Certificate, they must start the certification process again from (at least) the Document Compliance Phase.
2-15 Figure 2-1. Sample Letter of Intent [Your Letterhead] [Date] [Geographically responsible Flight Standards (AFS) office address] Greetings:
This is to notify the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of our intent to become a certificated commercial [or private] agricultural aircraft operator under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 137.
We plan to begin operations on [date], and are ready for your certification inspection at this time.
Operations will be confined to [geographic location] and will involve the operation of [number and type of aircraft].
Enclosed are two copies of FAA Form 8710-3, Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate Application. Our three requested letter certificate designators are [list preferred designators], in that order of preference.
Sincerely, [Operator’s name and title] Attachments
Figure 2-2a. FAA Form 8710-3, Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate Application (Front) OMB No. 2126-049 09/30/2014
AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS US Department of Trarisportation CERTIFICATE APPLICATION light Standards District Offic ubmit in triplicate to the loc Federal Aviation aaminstraton
1. APPLICATION FOR PRIVATE TYPE ECONOMIC POISONS FOR DISPENSING (Check one) | ORIGINAL AMENDMENT
COMMERCIAL OTHER THAN ECONOMIC POISONS REISSUANCE
2. NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT 3. PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS BASE (Airport, Cay, State)
TELEPHONE NUMBER TELEPHONE NUMBER INDMVIDUAL OTHER (Specify) 5. NAME OF CHIEF SUPERVISOR OF OPERATIONS IF OTHER
4. OPERATING THAN SHOWN IN ITEM 2. (COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ONLY)
AS CORPORATION PARTNERSHIP (First) (Middle Initial) (Last)
6. AIRMAN CERTIFICATE HELD CERTIFICATE NUMBER
GRADE RATINGS PRIVATE ASEL AMES TYPE RATING(S) (Specify)
COMMERCIAL AMEL HELICOPTER
AIRLINE TRANSPORT ASES GYROPLANE 7A. DO YOU HOLD A CURRENTLY EFFECTIVE CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER FOR NO CONDUCTING AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS? YES (Complete 7B) 7B. WAIVER HELD DATE ISSUED EXPIRATION DATE FAA DISTRICT OFFICE WHERE ISSUED
8. AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT TO BE OPERATED MAKE MODEL LIQUID EQUIPPED FOR SOLID TOTAL NUMBER EACH AIRCRAFT OPERATED REGISTRATION MARK (List a minimum of one)
9. LIST THE NAME(S) AND AIRMAN CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S) OF AGRICULTURAL PILOT(S) WORKING FOR YOU AT THE PRESENT TIME (Use separate sheet and attach if additional space is needed.)
NAME CERT. NO. NAME CERT. NO
10. REMARKS
11. CERTIFICATION: I CERTIFY THAT STATEMENTS MADE ON THIS FORM ARE TRUE AND CORRECT
DATE TITLE SIGNATURE FAA Form 8710-3 (10/12) SUPERSEDES PREVIOUS EDITION Page 1 2-16
Figure 2-2b. FAA Form 8710-3, Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate Application (Back) INSPECTION REPORT - For FAA Use Only (To be completed by the General Aviation for Flight Standards District Office)
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
1. PILOTS NOT REQUIRED SATISFACTORY UNSATISFACTORY A. CERTIFICATES B. RATING(S) C. KNOWLEDGE TEST D. SKILL TEST
2. AIRCRAFT A. CERTIFICATED B. AIRWORTHY C. EQUIPPED FOR AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS
10. REMARKS (Include an explanation of denial if application is disapproved).
4. DISTRICT OFFICE ACTION
CERTIFICATE ISSUED INSPECTORS SIGNATURES
APPLICATION DISAPPROVED
DATE INSPECTION COMPLETED FAA Form 8710-3 (10/12) SUPERSEDES PREVIOUS EDITION Page 2 2-17