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AERIAL DRIFT INFORMATION <br />INFORMATION ON DROPLET SIZE <br />The most effective way to reduce drift potential is to apply large droplets. The best drift management strategy is to apply the <br />largest droplets that provide sufficient coverage and control. Applying larger droplets reduces drift potential but will not prevent <br />drift if applications are made improperly, or under unfavorable conditions (see Wind section, Temperature and Humidity section). <br />CONTROLLING DROPLET SIZE <br />• Volume — Use high flow rate nozzles to apply the highest practical spray volume. Nozzles with higher rated flows produce <br />larger droplets. <br />• Pressure — Do not exceed the nozzle manufacturer's recommended pressures. For many nozzle types lower pressure produces <br />larger droplets. When higher flow rates are needed, use higher flow rate nozzles instead of increasing pressure. <br />• Number of nozzles — Use the minimum number of nozzles that provide uniform coverage. <br />• Nozzle orientation — Orienting nozzles so that the spray is released parallel to the airstream produces larger droplets than other <br />orientations and is the recommended practice. Significant deflection from horizontal will reduce droplet size and increase drift <br />potential. <br />• Nozzle type — Use a nozzle type that is designed for the intended application. With most nozzle types, narrower spray angles <br />produce larger droplets. Consider using low -drift nozzles. Solid stream nozzles oriented straight back produce the largest <br />droplets and the lowest drift potential. <br />BOOM LENGTH <br />For some use patterns, reducing the effective boom length to less than 3/4 of the wingspan or rotor length may further reduce <br />drift without reducing swath width. <br />APPLICATION HEIGHT <br />Applications should not be made at a height greater than 10 feet above the top of the largest plants unless a greater height is <br />required for aircraft safety. Making applications at the lowest height that is safe reduces exposure of droplets to evaporation <br />and wind. <br />SWATH ADJUSTMENT <br />When applications are made with a crosswind, the swath will be displaced downwind. Therefore, on the up and downwind edges <br />of the field, the applicator must compensate for this displacement by adjusting the path of the aircraft upwind. Swath adjustment <br />distance should increase with increasing drift potential (higher wind, small drops, etc.). <br />WIND <br />Drift potential is lowest between wind speeds of 2-10 mph. However, many factors, including droplet size and equipment type <br />determine drift potential at any given speed. Application should be avoided below 2 mph due to variable wind direction and high <br />inversion potential. NOTE: Local terrain can influence wind patterns. Every applicator should be familiar with local wind patterns <br />and how they affect spray drift. <br />TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY <br />When making applications in low relative humidity, set up equipment to produce larger droplets to compensate for evaporation. <br />Droplet evaporation is most severe when conditions are both hot and dry. <br />TEMPERATURE INVERSIONS <br />Applications should not occur during a temperature inversion because drift potential is high. Temperature inversions restrict ver- <br />tical air mixing, which causes small suspended droplets to remain in a concentrated cloud. This cloud can move in unpredictable <br />directions due to the light variable winds common during inversions. Temperature inversions are characterized by increasing <br />temperatures with altitude and are common on nights with limited cloud cover and light to no wind. They begin to form as the sun <br />sets and often continue into the morning. Their presence can be indicated by ground fog; however, if fog is not present, inversions <br />