Current through Register Vol. 51, page 43, September 23, 2024
Persons seeking certification as commercial applicators must
demonstrate practical knowledge of the principles and practices of pest control
and proper and effective use of pesticides by passing a written examination.
Written examinations for all commercial aerial applicators must address all the
following areas of competency:
(1)
Labeling. Labeling requirements and restrictions specific to aerial application
of pesticides including:
(a) Spray
volumes.
(b) Buffers and no-spray
zones.
(c) Weather conditions
specific to wind and inversions.
(2) Application equipment. Understand how to
choose and maintain aerial application equipment, including all the following:
(a) The importance of inspecting application
equipment to ensure it is in proper operating condition prior to beginning an
application.
(b) Selecting proper
nozzles to ensure appropriate pesticide dispersal and to minimize
drift.
(c) Knowledge of the
components of an aerial pesticide application system, including pesticide
hoppers, tanks, pumps, and types of nozzles.
(d) Interpreting a nozzle flow rate
chart.
(e) Determining the number
of nozzles for intended pesticide output using nozzle flow rate chart, aircraft
speed, and swath width.
(g) How to
ensure nozzles are placed to compensate for uneven dispersal due to uneven
airflow from wingtip vortices, helicopter rotor turbulence, and aircraft
propeller turbulence.
(g) Where to
place 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.
(i) How to calculate required and actual flow
rates.
(j) How to verify flow rate
using fixed timing, open timing, known distance, or a flow meter.
(k) When to adjust and calibrate application
equipment.
(3)
Application considerations. The applicator must demonstrate knowledge of
factors to consider before and during application, including all the following:
(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) How to determine wind velocity,
direction, and air density at the application site.
(c) The potential impact of thermals and
temperature inversions on aerial pesticide application.
(4) Minimizing drift. The applicator must
demonstrate knowledge of methods to minimize off-target pesticide movement,
including all the following:
(a) How to
determine drift potential of a product using a smoke generator.
(b) How to evaluate vertical and horizontal
smoke plumes to assess wind direction, speed, and concentration.
(c) (Selecting techniques that minimize
pesticide movement out of the area to be treated.
(d) Documenting special equipment
configurations or flight patterns used to reduce off-target pesticide
drift.
(5) Performing
aerial application. The applicator must demonstrate competency in performing an
aerial pesticide application, including all the following:
(a) Selecting a flight altitude that
minimizes streaking and off-target pesticide drift.
(b) Choosing a flight pattern that ensures
applicator and bystander safety and proper application.
(c) The importance of engaging and
disengaging spray precisely when entering and exiting a predetermined swath
pattern.
(d) Tools available to
mark swaths, such as global positioning systems and flags.
(e) Recordkeeping requirements for aerial
pesticide applications including application conditions if
applicable.
General Authority: SDCL
38-21-51.
Law Implemented: SDCL
38-21-18.
