12:56:05:04.17General standards for certification in aerial pesticide applications.

Persons seeking certification as a commercial aerial applicator must demonstrate practical knowledge of the principles and practices of pest control and the proper and effective use of pesticides by passing a written examination. The examination must address: (1) Labeling requirements and restrictions specific to the aerial application of pesticides, including: (a) Spray volumes; (b) Buffer zones and no-spray zones; and (c) Weather conditions specific to wind and inversions; (2) Choosing and maintaining aerial application equipment, including: (a) The inspection of application equipment prior to an application, to ensure it is in proper operating condition, including pressure gauge accuracy, filter cleaning, and checking nozzles for excessive repair; (b) Proper nozzle selection to ensure appropriate pesticide disposal and minimize drift; (c) Knowing and understanding the components and operation of an aerial pesticide application system; (d) Interpreting a nozzle flow rate chart to calculate flow rates, by using fixed timing, open timing, known distance, or flow meter; (e) Determining the number of nozzles necessary for the intended pesticide output, using a nozzle flow rate chart, aircraft speed, and swath width; (f) Ensuring that the nozzles are placed to compensate for uneven dispersal, due to uneven airflow from wingtip vortices, helicopter rotor turbulence, or aircraft propeller turbulence; (g) The placement of nozzles to produce the appropriate droplet size; (h) How to maintain the application system in good repair, including pressure gauge accuracy, filter cleaning according to schedule, and checking nozzles for excessive wear; and (i) The adjustment and calibration of application equipment; (3) Factors to be considered before and during application, including: (a) Weather conditions that could impact application by affecting aircraft engine power, take-off distance, and climb rate, or by promoting spray droplet evaporation; (b) Wind speed, direction, and air density at the application site; and (c) The impact of thermals and temperature inversions on aerial pesticide application; (4) Methods for minimizing off-target pesticide movement, including: (a) How to determine drift potential using a smoke generator; (b) How to evaluate vertical and horizontal smoke plumes to assess wind direction, speed, and pesticide concentration; (c) Selecting techniques that minimize pesticide movement out of the area to be treated; and (d) Documenting special equipment configurations or flight patterns used to reduce off-target pesticide drift; and (5) The applicator's ability to: (a) Select a flight altitude that minimizes application skips and off-target pesticide drift; (b) Select a flight pattern that ensures applicator and bystander safety; (c) Precisely engage and disengage spray when entering and exciting a predetermined swath pattern; (d) Understand and use global positioning systems and flags to mark swaths; and (e) Recordkeeping requirements for aerial pesticide applications, including application conditions.

Source: 44 SDR 151, effective April 30, 2018; 49 SDR 124, effective July 3, 2023.