Great video, but I've got to correct you on a couple of things. First off, we are not "stunt" pilots... the type of flying we do in aerial application work takes a very high degree of skill, dedication, and concentration. It's not a stunt show, it's a very precise type of flying that few pilots in the world can handle. Secondly, I'm not sure where you are, but ag flying is not a lost art, or a dying form of flying... it's very prevalent across many parts of the US. The reason you dont see as many ag aircraft as in years past is because of advances in technology of the aircraft itself... larger, more powerful turbine engined aircraft such as the one in your video have taken the place of most of the smaller, piston engined aircraft, because they are able to haul a much larger load, and work at faster speeds. Today, one large turbine Air Tractor or Thrush can do the work of two or three smaller piston engined aircraft, and do it faster and more efficiently. Also, advances in GPS guidance technology that allows us to precisely fly each swath in a field has made application work more precise and efficient than in years past as well. Glad you enjoy watching us "cropdusters" do our work, but please dont think we're just out there showing off to put on a show. It takes a lot to do this job and do it right.
agcatdriver The titling and description is for SEO (search engine optimization) only. Google and RUclips look for certain keywords and phrases and if I just uses technical jargon that the average person doesn't know, this video would have never seen the light of day. I agree that it's silly to read from a professional standpoint.Are you telling me that's a turboprop? I had no idea. I was lucky to have flown in a Pitts S2a with the guy who claimed to have taught this pilot some of his maneuvers. It was the thrill of a lifetime! Thanks so much for the added information and be safe out there.
agcatdriver That's almost exactly what I wanted to say (I'm not an agricultural pilot myself, but my dad is and grandad was). And there's a question for You. What device are you using out there in the US? AG-NAV?
Its a show alright, but is necessary for safety, efficiency, cost control. Not a pilot ,but my Dad was one of the best..These pilots are rare breeds. Most of them very calm, humble, and dedicated fathers and husbunds. But have nerves of steel to be politically correct. Never pick a fight w one.
William Ellis It appears that he's doing all the cleanup passes (bits and pieces after the main field is completed). The aircraft at this point has very little load left, so it's quite maneuverable. I suppose it does look a bit like he's putting on a show, but the key is to get these bits done as quickly as possible because they're only short swaths and are eating up precious time and fuel. The airplane looks like an AT-502 and typically has a -34 Pratt & Whitney turbine. I fly an AT-802 in Canada, using a Satloc GPS. Satlocs are most prevalent here, although some use AgNavs.
Logan bradley Logan, as a aerial applicator I appreciate your comments. People sometimes get the idea that we're crazy people, out there doing death-defying stuff all day long. The reality is that it is very hard work and requires a great deal of concentration. At 60 years old, with a wonderful wife of 34 years, grown kids and a granddaughter, it's hard to leave home for 4 months a year to fly for a company 800 miles from home, but it's part of this life for some of us. (This year marks 40 years for me as an aerial applicator). With everyone so bombarded with chemical horror stories, we're definitely not 'politically' or 'socially' correct these days. People fail to realize that the bulk of the work we do these days is disease control in crops, which unchecked, dramatically reduces yields. Farmers have to be able to financially survive or more and more people will starve on this planet.
+William Ellis ...from the ground it looks like a show, but trust me when your the pilot its no show its work! if I see someone pull over and watch me spray ill leave and start on another field because putting on a show will get you killed quickly!
clay steen You sir are very very correct! Also over here in New Zealand the places we topdress in there are no cars that pull over because it’s mostly in the middle of nowhere pretty much. There are a few areas near populated areas but majority is out in the hills and stuff.
I saw one of these out of the job over the small town on the side of the fields yesterday doing flips and all, it seems small in the video but it is a marvelous sight seeing them less than 200 ft in the air, they're huge!
Contrary to popular belief, ag-flying of today does not require the pilot to fly crop-high. that type of flying is not the norm. Also the height is dependant on the type of nozzles the pilot are using. He was flying just the way he should have been flying in such an area. Great flying and no stunt flying here.
When I worked in AG Aviation my Boss and owner of the Airplane would not have been happy seeing his pilot doing wing overs with a 1.5 - 2 Million Dollar Airplane. He demanded 25-30 Second Ag Turns for the protection of his pilot and Airplane. [when making side by side passes] I saw the pilot get an "ass chewing" one day for doing a hammerhead turn during the last couple of passes when the aircraft was almost empty. In fact NO Climbing Turns out of the fields. Wings level until obstacles are cleared. A standard Ag turn is still a steep turn but NOT a Wing Over or Hammerhead. Most Airplanes and AG Pilots today fly Race Track Patterns using GPS so there is no good reason to do HIGH RISK Turns. No "Stunts" allowed by most Ag plane owners.
Ok so I'm not an Ag pilot.. But I do farm, and apply a lot of chemical with a ground rig. Does it not make a difference what you're applying wether you fly low or high?? Some cotton chemicals must be flown on almost dangerously low but then again some bean and corn work is not near as important to get so low.
Rodney Miller there is such a things as too low or too high. Only people I've heard say lower is better are farmers. Not too mention if it's too cold plants won't take anything in. Optimum height is based on aircraft, nozzles, and product. Never mind field conditions.
I've been a pilot for over 25 years (22 in the military while flying 16 in the airlines) My wife and I have Ag fertilizer, Organic Foliar Fertilizer. If you are interested to learn more or to work on our team, check out our website: www.OrganicFertilizerUSA.com
I love crop dusters, amazing!
Great video, but I've got to correct you on a couple of things. First off, we are not "stunt" pilots... the type of flying we do in aerial application work takes a very high degree of skill, dedication, and concentration. It's not a stunt show, it's a very precise type of flying that few pilots in the world can handle. Secondly, I'm not sure where you are, but ag flying is not a lost art, or a dying form of flying... it's very prevalent across many parts of the US. The reason you dont see as many ag aircraft as in years past is because of advances in technology of the aircraft itself... larger, more powerful turbine engined aircraft such as the one in your video have taken the place of most of the smaller, piston engined aircraft, because they are able to haul a much larger load, and work at faster speeds. Today, one large turbine Air Tractor or Thrush can do the work of two or three smaller piston engined aircraft, and do it faster and more efficiently. Also, advances in GPS guidance technology that allows us to precisely fly each swath in a field has made application work more precise and efficient than in years past as well. Glad you enjoy watching us "cropdusters" do our work, but please dont think we're just out there showing off to put on a show. It takes a lot to do this job and do it right.
agcatdriver The titling and description is for SEO (search engine optimization) only. Google and RUclips look for certain keywords and phrases and if I just uses technical jargon that the average person doesn't know, this video would have never seen the light of day. I agree that it's silly to read from a professional standpoint.Are you telling me that's a turboprop? I had no idea. I was lucky to have flown in a Pitts S2a with the guy who claimed to have taught this pilot some of his maneuvers. It was the thrill of a lifetime! Thanks so much for the added information and be safe out there.
agcatdriver That's almost exactly what I wanted to say (I'm not an agricultural pilot myself, but my dad is and grandad was). And there's a question for You. What device are you using out there in the US? AG-NAV?
Thank you for clearing that up for all! God bless you!.... be safe!
agcatdriver I was just
agcatdriver I was just ŕf
Some bodywork reminds me of the P-51 Mustang...
I also love the movie : planes. ;)
This guy is clearly putting on a show!
Its a show alright, but is necessary for safety, efficiency, cost control. Not a pilot ,but my Dad was one of the best..These pilots are rare breeds. Most of them very calm, humble, and dedicated fathers and husbunds. But have nerves of steel to be politically correct. Never pick a fight w one.
William Ellis It appears that he's doing all the cleanup passes (bits and pieces after the main field is completed). The aircraft at this point has very little load left, so it's quite maneuverable. I suppose it does look a bit like he's putting on a show, but the key is to get these bits done as quickly as possible because they're only short swaths and are eating up precious time and fuel.
The airplane looks like an AT-502 and typically has a -34 Pratt & Whitney turbine.
I fly an AT-802 in Canada, using a Satloc GPS. Satlocs are most prevalent here, although some use AgNavs.
Logan bradley Logan, as a aerial applicator I appreciate your comments. People sometimes get the idea that we're crazy people, out there doing death-defying stuff all day long. The reality is that it is very hard work and requires a great deal of concentration. At 60 years old, with a wonderful wife of 34 years, grown kids and a granddaughter, it's hard to leave home for 4 months a year to fly for a company 800 miles from home, but it's part of this life for some of us. (This year marks 40 years for me as an aerial applicator).
With everyone so bombarded with chemical horror stories, we're definitely not 'politically' or 'socially' correct these days. People fail to realize that the bulk of the work we do these days is disease control in crops, which unchecked, dramatically reduces yields. Farmers have to be able to financially survive or more and more people will starve on this planet.
+William Ellis ...from the ground it looks like a show, but trust me when your the pilot its no show its work! if I see someone pull over and watch me spray ill leave and start on another field because putting on a show will get you killed quickly!
clay steen You sir are very very correct! Also over here in New Zealand the places we topdress in there are no cars that pull over because it’s mostly in the middle of nowhere pretty much. There are a few areas near populated areas but majority is out in the hills and stuff.
Love to watch these planes. But I thought this was an RC scale plane. LoL 😂
It does seem unreal. LOL. Please subscribe to my channel and hit the bell for notifications. Thank you!
Other than that, that is awesome!!
I saw one of these out of the job over the small town on the side of the fields yesterday doing flips and all, it seems small in the video but it is a marvelous sight seeing them less than 200 ft in the air, they're huge!
+The CAR Enthusiast awesome to watch in person.
Yep, sometimes a kinda scary experience as they go so low!
Wouldn’t have been any flips rather wing over turns. Also being in the plane is more amazing.
Contrary to popular belief, ag-flying of today does not require the pilot to fly crop-high. that type of flying is not the norm. Also the height is dependant on the type of nozzles the pilot are using. He was flying just the way he should have been flying in such an area. Great flying and no stunt flying here.
+rc_farmer48 the title was for caption purposes.
Great flying where was the video recorded
Jimmy Gibson Hanover Virginia off Norman's Bridge Road.
At 0:34 it looked like he almost stalled the wing. That turn was pretty risky.
Where is the sound!?
They do this at night here inYuma AZ
Me and my mom were driving one flew like 20ft above us it was cool
When I worked in AG Aviation my Boss and owner of the Airplane would not have been happy seeing his pilot doing wing overs with a 1.5 - 2 Million Dollar Airplane. He demanded 25-30 Second Ag Turns for the protection of his pilot and Airplane. [when making side by side passes]
I saw the pilot get an "ass chewing" one day for doing a hammerhead turn during the last couple of passes when the aircraft was almost empty. In fact NO Climbing Turns out of the fields. Wings level until obstacles are cleared. A standard Ag turn is still a steep turn but NOT a Wing Over or Hammerhead. Most Airplanes and AG Pilots today fly Race Track Patterns using GPS so there is no good reason to do HIGH RISK Turns. No "Stunts" allowed by most Ag plane owners.
This plane looks like dusty crophopper from planes
@OOo0oOo Boi I have a dusty toy when I was a kid
Where's the audio? All I'm getting is video.
Where I live they do this at night , Yuma AZ
Doug Parkes ..Bee's
Also the air is calmer and not as hot so they can carry bigger loads. Another reason is to protect the bees as was stated.
Dusty!
He is way to high to make a difference. You gotta get low. Before anyone says different I grew up doing this. Cool weather and lower the better.
Ok so I'm not an Ag pilot.. But I do farm, and apply a lot of chemical with a ground rig. Does it not make a difference what you're applying wether you fly low or high?? Some cotton chemicals must be flown on almost dangerously low but then again some bean and corn work is not near as important to get so low.
Rodney Miller there is such a things as too low or too high. Only people I've heard say lower is better are farmers. Not too mention if it's too cold plants won't take anything in. Optimum height is based on aircraft, nozzles, and product. Never mind field conditions.
Yes. Cooler weather equals better performance but not too cold cause plants won’t like it.
I've been a pilot for over 25 years (22 in the military while flying 16 in the airlines)
My wife and I have Ag fertilizer, Organic Foliar Fertilizer.
If you are interested to learn more or to work on our team, check out our website: www.OrganicFertilizerUSA.com
Highly talented pilot but far from a "stunt" pilot. Looks like he ws working a postage stamp size piece of land.