What should a pilot do to minimize off-target movements of spray during a temperature inversion?

Delaying the application is a prudent strategy when dealing with a temperature inversion to minimize off-target movement of spray. Under a temperature inversion, warm air traps cooler air at the surface, creating stable atmospheric conditions that can lead to drift. This stability can cause pesticides to be carried away from the intended target area, increasing the risk of chemical exposure to non-target plants, animals, or people.

By postponing the application until atmospheric conditions are more favorable—i.e., when there is adequate mixing of air and the potential for the inversion to break—the pilot ensures that the pesticide will disperse properly and stay within the target area. This not only helps protect the environment and surrounding communities but also improves the effectiveness of the spray by ensuring it reaches the intended surface rather than being lost to drift.

The other methods may involve adjusting operational parameters like altitude, spray pressure, or the choice of pesticide, but they do not fundamentally address the issue of atmospheric stability caused by the inversion. Inversions require careful handling, and sometimes the best action is to wait until conditions improve.