AAAA Mission and Objectives

AAAA – known universally as ‘four As’ –  is a not-for- profit Association with a strong membership base in the aerial application industry.

The Association’s mission is to:

‘promote, foster, encourage and support a sustainable aerial application industry based on the professionalism of operators, pilots and staff, and the pursuit of industry best practice.’

The Associations objectives include:

•      Representing the industry to parliamentarians and appropriate government and administrative bodies.
•      Initiating and managing programs that support and enhance the professionalism of industry members.
•      Promoting better understanding and co-operation between the industry and related industries.
•      Promoting the industry to the community to gain greater recognition of its valuable role.
•      Initiating research that advances the industry and furthers the capability of operators.
•     Promoting a ‘safety culture’ within the industry.

AAAA History

The Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia (AAAA) was formed in July 1958 at a meeting jointly convened by the then Department of Civil Aviation and the Bureau of Agricultural Economics at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond NSW.

Membership of the AAAA consists primarily of operators of agricultural aircraft. There are currently approximately 130 active operators in Australia of which over 75% are financial members of the Association. AAAA members control over 90% of application aircraft in use.

Capital investment within the industry exceeds $200 million. Agricultural aviation directly employs 2,000 personnel comprising pilots, field staff, maintenance staff and administrators. Part time seasonal positions – principally loader mixers and support staff, number approximately 2,000.

The industry utilizes over 300 special purpose aircraft, as well as a wide range of supporting vehicles and equipment, along with established aircraft maintenance facilities throughout the agricultural areas of Australia.

The modern industry is vastly different today from when it commenced in Australia in 1948.  The progression from ‘crop-dusting’ to aerial application has been accompanied by revolutions in aircraft, engines, GPS and, most recently, management and planning.

Today’s application operators and pilots are totally professional, highly trained and committed to Australian agriculture and the community they serve.