Aerial Application Course (NQF 4)

SECTION 1: LEARNER NOTES

1. General information
2. Topic Descriptions
   1. Definition and classification of pesticides in terms of type and grouping.
   2. Plant pests and diseases – general
   3. The identification of plant pests and diseases
   4. Integrated Pest Management
   5. Safety on the job
   6. Introduction to the Occupational Health and Safety Act

SECTION 2: LEARNING MAP

SECTION 3: LEARNING DESCRIPTION AND OUTCOMES

SECTION 4: DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF PESTICIDES IN TERMS OF TYPE AND GROUPING

1. Introduction
2. The RSA Classification Code
   1. Pesticide labels
3. Pesticide Classification, Properties and Products
   1. Classification according to Target Pest
   2. Classification, Properties and Products
4. Diseases Caused by Pest-borne Pathogens
   1. Pests and Public Health
   2. Carriers and Vectors
   3. Poison Irritation and Allergy
   4. Pests and Diseases
   5. Diseases Encountered on the Job
   6. Recommended PPE
   7. Integrated Pest Management
   8. Pest Control Failures
5. The IPM Concept
   1. Definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
   2. Origin of the term IPM
   3. Development of the IPM concept
   4. Structural IPM in an Urban Environment
   5. Moving away from pesticides
   6. Attributes of IPM Programme
6. Advantages of Integrating a Range of Control Methods

SECTION 5: AERIAL APPLICATION

1. Introduction
   1. Pre-emergence applications
   2. Post-emergence applications

SECTION 6: CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS

1. SUBPART 35: AGRICULTURAL PILOT RATING
   1. Requirements for agricultural pilot rating
   2. Skill test for an Agricultural Pilot Rating
   3. Application for an Agricultural Pilot Rating
   4. Privileges of Agricultural Pilot Rating

SECTION 7: HUMAN PERFORMANCE – FLYING AND HEALTH

1. Stress
   1. Definition
   2. Categories
   3. Stressors
   4. Stimulation and Stress
   5. The Stages of Stress
   6. Anxiety
   7. Recognising and Managing Stress
   8. Incorrect Stress Management
   9. Fatigue
   10. Sleep
   11. Pilots, Drugs and Self Medication
   12. Toxic Materials
   13. Incapacitation
   14. General Health

SECTION 8: SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS SANS 10118:2009

1. The Aerial Application of Pesticides
   1. Aircraft
   2. Health precautions
   3. Protection of ground personnel and health precautions

SECTION 9: CALIBRATION OR ACCURATE APPLICATION TECHNIQUES

1. Width of the Spray Path
2. Droplet Size for Application
3. Application by Helicopter
4. Dangers Associated with Aerial Application
   1. Safety Aspects under the Direct Control of the Pilot
   2. Safety Precautions for the Loading Team
   3. Aerial Application Check List
5. Application Equipment
   1. Chemical Tank or Bauser
   2. Filters or Seifs
   3. Pump
   4. Motors or Windmill Motors
   5. Pressure Meter
   6. Application Valve
   7. Nozzles
   8. Piping System
   9. Dispersal Accessories
6. Operations
   1. General
   2. Field Flight Patterns
   3. Swath Marking
   4. Turnaround
   5. Obstructions

SECTION 10: GUIDELINES ON GOOD PRACTICE FOR AERIAL APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES

1. Acknowledgements
2. Background
3. Introduction
4. Guideline Objectives
5. Training for Pilots and Ground Support Staff
   1. The mixer/loaders
   2. Field staff and flagmen
   3. Spray equipment selection
   4. Using pesticides correctly
   5. Managing operator exposure
6. The Decision Making Process
   1. Alternatives to Pesticide Use
   2. Risk/Benefit Consideration
   3. Product Selection
   4. Label Information
   5. Tank Mixing
7. Safety Aspects
   1. Operator Health Surveillance
   2. Product Transport and Storage
   3. Product Handling
   4. Chemical Container Management
   5. Accident Procedures
   6. Personal Protection
8. Application
   1. Pre-application

SECTION 11: INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS IN THE STUDY OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)

1. The Ecological Basis of Pest Management
   1. Introduction
   2. Definitions
   3. Biological Growth Potential of Insects
   4. Pest Control
   5. Economic Injury Level
2. Industry Trends and Protocols that impact on IPM
   1. Trends and debate
   2. Using Pesticides
   3. Barriers that could impact on IPM

SECTION 12: PUBLIC RELATIONS

1. General Guidance
2. Acceptance of Slow-Acting Controls
3. Structural Modifications
4. Surveillance
5. Tolerance of Occasional Low-Level Sightings
6. Sanitation

SECTION 13: GENERAL STEPS IN IPM

1. The Six Steps of the IPM Process
   1. Understanding and Educating the Customer
   2. Analysing the Pest Problem
   3. Taking Short-Term Corrective Action
   4. Implementing Long-Term Preventive Action
   5. Monitoring, Documenting and Evaluating Results
   6. Getting Back to the Customer
2. Summary

SECTION 14: TREATMENT SELECTION

1. IPM control principles
   1. Cultural Control
   2. Mechanical and Physical Control
   3. Biological Control
   4. Chemical Control
2. Selecting Treatment Strategies
   1. Criteria for selecting treatment strategies
   2. Timing treatments
   3. Spot Treatments
   4. Summary of available treatment options
   5. How to Select a Pesticide for an IPM Programme
   6. Pesticide Use Guidelines

SECTION 15: INSECTS: GENERAL

1. Introduction
   1. Definition of an insect
   2. The role that insects play in our lives
2. The Insect Body
3. Insect Identification
   1. Beetles
   2. Termites
   3. Crickets
   4. Worms and Caterpillars
   5. Ants
   6. Hard (Armoured) Scales
   7. Palm Scale
   8. Mealybugs and Australian Bug
   9. Psyllids, Aphids and Whiteflies
   10. Leafhoppers and Stinkbugs
   11. Tip Wilters, (twig wilters, squash bugs, leaf-footed bugs)
   12. Plant-Eating Mites
   13. Thrips
   14. Fruitflies, Pumpkin Flies and Fruit-Piercing Moths
   15. Fruit and Leaf-Eating Caterpillars
   16. Leafrollers
   17. Citrus Looper, Ascortis selenaria reciprocaria (walk.)(Afr. Sitruslandmeter)
   18. Citrus Butterflies
   19. Stinging Caterpillars, Latoia vivida (walk.) L. Latisriga (walk.) (Afr. Brandruspers)
   20. Army Worms, Army worm, Spodoptera exepta (walk) (Afr. Kommandowurm). Lesser army worm, S. Exigua (Hubm) (Afr. Kleinkommandowurm)
   21. Flower-and Leaf-Eating Beetles
   22. Hawk Moths (sphinx moths)
   23. Emperor Moths
   24. Various Caterpillars
   25. Ground Level and Underground Pests
   26. Termites
   27. Brown Patch
   28. Dollar Spot
   29. Fairy Ring
   30. Rust on Cool Season Lawns
   31. Pythium Blight
   32. Anthracnose

SECTION 16: SAFETY ON THE JOB

1. Safe Handling Procedures and Practices
2. Safety in Relation to Pest Control Activities
   1. Safe Handling of Pesticides
   2. Toxicity of Pesticides
3. Handling Pesticides
   1. Signals, warnings and safe handling directions
4. Dangers Involved in the Misuse of Pesticides
   1. Routes of exposure to Pesticide Poisoning
   2. Poisoning hazard
5. Personal protective equipment and clothing
   1. Protective equipment
   2. Personal protective clothing (SABS 072: 1993)
   3. Keys and tips to safe handling
6. Handling of Spillages
   1. What to do When a Spill Occurs?
   2. Clean-up Procedures
   3. Decontamination Procedure
   4. Disposal
   5. Personal Hygiene
7. Triple rinsing
   1. Why Triple Rinse?
   2. How to “triple rinse” empty containers
8. Pesticide poisoning first-aid procedures
   1. In the event of accidental poisoning
   2. General principles of first aid
   3. Step-by-step CPR instructions
   4. Be prepared – take precautions
9. Pollution and the Environmental Impact
   1. Pollution
   2. The Environment

SECTION 17: SAFE STORAGE PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES

1. Introduction to Pesticide Storage
   1. Important Safety Factors
   2. Household Items
   3. Security Measures
   4. The pesticide Storing facility

SECTION 18: REFERENCES