Gert “Jerry” H. Marais Jan. 1, 1966 - April 15, 2008 Gert “Jerry” H. Marais, 42, of Fort Benton, Mont., died Tuesday, April 15, when the firefighting plane he was flying crashed near Fort Carson Army Base. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, at the Agricultural Center in Fort Benton with Pastor Joe Jordan officiating. Mr. Marais was born Jan. 1, 1966, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He grew up in South Africa and lived there for most of his working life. He had a passion for flying and worked as a pilot in many different places, including Aero Applicators in Sterling. He moved to Fort Benton in August 2001 with his wife and children. He became involved with fire fighting and also worked on getting his AMP license. Mr. Marais is survived by his wife, Esme Marais; sons, Chris Marais, Jerry Marais and Nicholas Marais; daughter, Leandra Marais; father, Christoffel “Tol” Marais; mother, Mariette Marais; sister, Ansi Daffie and husband Dries and their children Mariette and Danielle; brother, Jacques Marais and wife Theresa of South Africa and their children Naas, Jacques and Therese; and numerous other family members and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marais Family Benefit Account in care of First Security Bank, P.O. Box 279, Fort Benton, MT 59442. Benton Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

CAAA’s mission statement: To provide the agricultural community with the highest standards of professionalism, quality and safety and to maintain an environmental stewardship of the land that feeds our great nation.

This website is designed to provide information on the Colorado Agriculture Aviation Association and its members. It will also be used to promote allied industries and announce upcoming events and current events in Colorado and across the nation.
 
About Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association:

Colorado Agriculture Aviation Association (CAAA) was founded in the early 70’s to provide the Colorado agricultural aviation professionals an opportunity for learning more about their industry within the state of Colorado. During that time, it was determined that the agricultural community needed a forum wherein they could keep informed of state and national industry news, develop industry standards and establish relationships with others in the industry.

Myths about the industry:

An airplane has no control over the area that’s being “dusted.”

Let’s talk old time crop dusting vs. aerial application; There’s a big difference. When crop dusting began in 1921, it was conducted by the military to save crops and feed people in the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. It was a new industry with very few regulations. Crops were treated by air with products that came in a “dust” form, thus the title, Crop Duster. Ongoing research and testing provided new products; and dusting was replaced by liquid pesticides. Those pesticides became more user-friendly and less intrusive on the environment. Today the pesticides are pest specific and site specific. Many of them are derivatives of the environment and usage has become minimal. For example, the amount of pesticide needed to protect a tomato is less than the size of a raindrop. 

Aerial application of pesticides is harming our land and forests.

Agricultural aviation plays a vital and in many cases, an irreplaceable role in protecting crops, pasture and forest land from damaging insects, weeds and plant disease. Aerial application is also an important means of fighting forest and brush fires and providing control of insect pests in many urban and suburban environments.

Spraying pesticides on our crops is causing disease in humans and animals.

Aerial application is an important component in the production of food and fiber. Pesticides do not affect the plants; they eradicate the bugs that destroy the plants. Crop protection products distributed through aerial application are essential tools in the American farmer’s ability to produce the safest, highest quality, most abundant and lowest cost food supply in the world.

Crop dusters are nothing but flying stuntmen.

Aerial applicators are well-trained professionals with a serious awareness of their responsibility to protect the safety of their neighbors, employees, the public and the environment.

Sprayers are not responsible people and are unaware of the effects of their actions.

Pilot/operators are very proactive in protecting their aircraft and products against theft. They’ve developed methods that increase vigilance; they continue to adopt new security measures; and they work with authorities to ensure that the agriculture aviation industry does not represent a security risk to the American public.

All operators are licensed commercial applicators and must comply with the requirements mandated by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. In order to stay current, operators must complete a minimum of 80 hours a year in continuing education.

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