When must pilots wear personal protective equipment during pesticide application?

The correct answer highlights that pilots must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while making nozzle adjustments. This requirement is crucial because this activity involves direct interaction with the pesticide application system, which poses a risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. During nozzle adjustments, pilots are often in close proximity to potential pesticide spray, which may still be present in the system or be released into the environment during the process.

Wearing PPE during this task helps mitigate health risks, ensuring that pilots are protected from inhaling or coming into contact with toxic substances. This practice underscores the importance of safety in aerial application operations, particularly when handling equipment that is directly involved in pesticide dispersal.

The other options are more limited in scope regarding when PPE is necessary. For instance, wearing PPE only during takeoff misses critical exposure risks at other phases of the operation. Exclusively wearing PPE after application does not address the need for protection during the handling of equipment or materials that contain pesticides. Lastly, asserting that PPE is required during all operational phases might seem broadly accurate, but it does not emphasize the specific critical moments, like making nozzle adjustments, where the risk of exposure is heightened.