Crop dusting

[glider]

Greetings!

I was wondering about the possibilities to fly as a crop duster in Aus/NZ? Are there any positions available and what is the general opinion on doing that kind of flying. I for one is truly keen to this type of flying =)

Best regards
/Magnus

[AT502]

The first rule with 'Crop Dusting' is to be aware that you are been politically incorrect by using that term! We are known as Aerial Applicators. Crop Dusting has never actually occured as such in Australia, and as it brings bad images to mind we prefer not to be known by this term!

Now that we have got that straight, lets get to the next point.

You would need to obtain your CPL, then go onto to do you Agriculutal Rating.

Like the rest of aviation you will need to be willing to start at the bottom, your first job in the industry would begin aircraft loading and then you would begin to chase a 'seat' with someone willing to take you on and train you and give you the hours required beyond your 'supervision' time so you can really begin life as an ag pilot.

Life can be nomadic as you will be wanting to follow the seasons to chase hours. The good jobs which are permanent seat with an established company are hard to land, but are very rewarding when you do.

A good ag pilot will earn as much if not more then an airline pilot, depending on the season etc. But you will quickly learn things are not always about the money. It is very hard work, very long hours and if you go onto night flying, you are in a whole different ball game.

Those that make it in the Ag. industry love it and it is like no other in the aviation sector. It is a thrilling job, flying turbing aircraft, high speeds at low altitude.

I would recommend you contact a few operators and see if you can get a job as a loader driver and see what you think of the lifestyle etc.

Good Luck, I can only encourage more people to take an interest in this side of aviation.

Cheers,

ST :ok:

Just to add one more thing, if you saw last nights news showing the accident in SA, don\'t be detered! The pilot, who has low hours, walked away unharmed. As for the plane, the cockpits are built to kept the pilot very protected when an accident occurs, and thats a reason why we wear helmets!

ST

[glider]

I thank you very much for your info, I'm fully aware that no flying job comes for free and I would enjoy very much to begin loading.

You don't have some links to any ag-site by any chance?

Would be fun to read more about it!

Cheers!:ok:

[Lodown]

And I thought the helmet was protection against the occasional duck or cockatoo that came through the windshield at 100 and and a half knots.

I wish all aircraft were designed like ag aircraft. No slop in the controls. The seats aren't too bad. The room in the cockpit is great. Your feet are spread out. There's plenty of elbow room. No passengers to amuse, but lots of noise from the fuselage panels and a great honking turbine. Every flight is a challenge. Once that tailwheel comes up, the view in front becomes a panorama. You get to fly under power lines. And it's all legal.

[glider]

I think I've found my calling :D

I've only had a taste of it - I use to tow gliders in the PA25. Enjoying every second!

[Lodown]

On the con side, be careful around the chemicals and the lifestyle can be tough on marriages until you get a stable base, but what type of flying isn't?

[AT502]

Some of the larger companies with websites are; Aircair Aviation, Field Air & Jones Air.

Best advice is get in the car and go door knocking, thats how most people get their start.

As for chemicals, if you work for a good operator you will be following procedure and they will be looking out for their staffs best interest.

The airline guys don't know what they are missing!

cheerio,

ST
:ok:

[Onan the Clumsy]

I've often thought about this but I have to admit two things turn me off.
[list=1]
The chemicals
The NTSB reports. Pull up the N number of an ag plane and you'll often see it's crashed several times :(
[/list=1] Still you make an excellent point about the construction and an even better point abnout the job itself :ok:


...at night? :ooh:

[AT502]

Most of the crashes here in Oz are due to pilot error rather then aircraft malfunction. Fatigue leading to error is our biggest killer. But lets not get gloomy! As for the chemicals I really believe they are very misunderstood. You are not 'splashing' around in them and they are nothing like the days of DDT. A lot of what is put out by the aircraft now days is organic matter, fertiliser (solid or liquid).

However I would prefer not to go down the path of safe chemicals etc. Read 'Saving The Planet with Pesticides and Plastic' by Dennis T Avery. This will explain a hell of a lot if any of you are interested. (especially if you want to be an Ag Pilot).

On the up side, in Australia there is currently a very big shortage of pilots and loader drivers, so Glider, your timing may be just right.

ST

Actually while I am here, it has always bothered me that Prune has not given us our own area in the forum arena to discuss our own issues:{

Is there anyone else out there interested in Ag flying and related issues? :cool:

[the wizard of auz]

Been there, had a ball, thinking of going back to it.
I don't think there are enough aggy's out there to sustain a forum of our own though.

[currawong]

There is a forum on the AAAA's site.

Pretty quiet though.

Maybe country folk don't read n write so good...

:E :E :E

If you are looking for "like minded people" the rotor heads forum is worth a look.

:ok:

[the wizard of auz]

Your right Currawong, we caint read and rite so good, but we sure can lift heavy things. :} and drink rum like water:E
WTF is AAAA?

[ITCZ]

Glider is getting some good help here!

Way back when I was weighing up different options I went and had a chat with John Freeman in Adelaide about aerial ag.

JF was different than most of the aviation people I met back then. He didn't fill me full of bulldust. He invited me to his house, asked me about my interest and was very informative and hospitable. He didn't try to talk me in to spending thousands of dollars on his training course. He answered my questions, asked me a few of his own, and wished me well! A gentleman. In a very nice house in the eastern suburbs, to boot!

After meeting him, I decided against aerial ag.

Why?

Because although i was an aviation enthusiast, i was not an agriculture enthusiast. The opposite in fact. One of my cousins is a very canny dry land wheat farmer, another is a successful racehorse trainer..... wool classers, gun shearer, wine maker, pig farmer, cattle breeder, but I was the city boy! I had never ridden a horse or a farm bike, and knew absolutely nothing about farm economics, couldn't tell wheat from barley, thought lucerne was a place in switzerland, you get the picture.

It was pretty clear that if I was going to enjoy getting into and being in aerial ag, that I should also be at least a little bit interested and informed about primary production! BEEEP! Failure! Not this suburban boy! I was exactly the kind of person my cousin's mates were suspicious of, bit of a city slicker!

I reckon that's gotta be a big consideration when you are thinking of entering a small profession of people who work very closely with primary producers.

[josephshankes]

Some less than charitable people say, "if the chemical does not get you, the flying will."

I did a bit (including with DDT) and the flying didn't get me, have I got something to look forward to, in the other area? Hope not!:}

[AT502]

The large majority of ag pilots are country boys, however I know of one who was a city boy, knew he wanted to be a pilot from day one, just wasn't convinced about the airlines, anyway he was visiting a friend who went into ag and the friend took this friend of mine for a few spray runs. My friend got out ot the plane and thought 'I have found what I want to do' and that was it. He got out phone books of country areas and rang around different operators asking questions and was offered a job loading on the rice, and now he is a high time ag pilot, who was from the city!

So really, where there is a will, there is a way.

As for the chemicals, if you were around in the 60's & 70's using the yucky stuff, get a blood test and see what is in your system. Some peoples bodys seem to hold chemicals more then others, really depends on your liver health. Which in this industry would not be good. We work extremely hard but we play even harder.

But lads, remember it is not just about spraying around puss (thats what we like to call it!) We do a hell of a lot of work firebombing as well, which is another exciting area. Flying around in hot winds and the sky full of smoke dumping full loads of water etc. on fires is not for the faint hearted.

And if you really want to know your alive, try night spraying, flying around in the dark under powerlines! Now I am starting to wonder if we really are brave or just plain stupid!?!?!?! Probably both.

Wizard Of Auz - AAAA is the Aerial Agricutlural Association of Australia.

If any of you are interested in ag flying, now is a good time to try to get in. The winter season in the west and south have been extremely good and still going. Cotton and rice are a bit gloomy still, but the whole country is short of ag pilots and loader drivers.

Check out the classifieds on the Field Air website

How are you feeling Glider? Inspired? I hope so.

ST

:cool:

Enjoy your lunch? Thank an Ag Pilot!

[airag3]

Good to see some discussion on aerial ag, and no you don't need to be country born and bred to succeed however some understanding of and sympathy with machinery goes a long way.

A big positive is working in a close knit team environment with a great bunch of blokes.

[currawong]

AAAA website is www.aerialag.com.au

Anyone that tells you you have to be rural to be an Ag pilot is full of it. If you can read you can do anything.

Like the military."No previous experience required".

There is a shortage of Good people. Plenty of also rans.

It is no longer an option for quick turbine or night hours for an airline gig. It is too specialised now.(exceptions of course)

Career path in its own right. Fire fighting and geo survey are options. "Interesting" work comes up from time to time. DEA contracts in South America spring to mind.

Good luck. The industry needs good people.

[7gcbc]

Hi Super, Air Ag.

Can you check your PM's, I too like glider would dearly love to go
this route, but I'm unsure as to the path to take.

190TT, Tailwheel, studying for CPL.

rgds

7gcbc

[Swingwing]

Great info guys!

Have always been interested in ag flying since standing in the paddock on the family farm as a young tacker holding a big red flag (and holding my breath as the guys flew under the powerlines!)

I've often considered looking into an endorsement, and hoping one of you might shed some light on these in terms of where / when / how much. I see that the CAO requires 40 hours training, so not cheap clearly, but what's an indicative hourly rate for a suitable a/c?

Also, I understand that there is some year-round work, but I presume the bulk of it is still seasonal in winter-spring, after the crops are sowed?

I note a previous contributor said that good people were in demand, but I also see that the Field Air classifieds have job seekers outstripping jobs by about 4-1 (so just like the rest of aviation then?) These blokes aren't fresh out of their CPLs either - guys with 10 000 TT, AG1 ratings and endorsed on everything advertising for jobs anywhere/anytime seems to give the lie to the "shortages" argument doesn't it?

Anyway, any extra info that people have time to provide would be good. Always loved low flying (although a couple of afterburners and an ejection seat adds a safety factor that I'm not dure you have in an Agwagon during an engine failure at 15 feet!) Also, the closest I've ever come to spraying was a stick of 500lb high-explosive bombs that went a bit astray once....

keep the discussion going please!

cheers,

SW

[Lodown]

Cotton is all summer work with a little winter work spreading super or sowing wheat (50ft rather than 15 feet). If there are lots of eggs, bugs and rain, there'll be lots of work. If it stays dry, the ground rigs can do a lot of the work and there isn't as much for the ag-aviation operators.

[AT502]

Best advice, as I said before, get out door knocking if you are interested. We have a big shortage across the country for ground crews. So whatever you see on the FA website, don't be detered. Send letters out to the cotton opertors now (if door knocking is not an option at the moment) as they are getting ready for the coming season, which for some operators is better then others.

AS for coast etc. I wouldn't like to say what is now, I am guessing about $10,000.00 for ag rating. That was the last one I heard of. It all depends for does the rating. If you PM me, I will give a list of guys that do ag ratings and you can contact them directly.

The cotton season for aircraft begins usually in Dec and goes through to April. Winter seasons are busy in SA & WA, due to their reliable winter rain. Otherwise if there is rain in the eastern states things can fire up there too.

There is also plenty of Firebombing in the summer months right across the country, however you'll be a long way off that for a while.

The rice season traditionally starts the first week Oct. and goes through 'til March. Not good water allocation there, so things are a little grim.

I have to say i am very excited to see a thread on Prune about ag. Would love to see it go for a few more pages!!!!!!!

Cheerio,
ST:cool:

[Bomber ARIS]

Me too! I'd like to see this thread grow and grow. I guess it's up to the mods to decide if it deserves to be a sticky. It would probably also find favour on other PPRuNe forums too.

Personaly, I have an interest in helicopter ag; I'm very familiar with the US way of operating, but would love to learn more of the Australian helicopter ag scene. What machines are used, on which crops, spraying what chemical, which states, hours flown per season, Aus$ earned, etc., etc.,

Yours greedily:}

Bomber

[Swingwing]

Topically, I just saw an article about an ag crash near Parkes yesterday:

"The pilot, a professional crop duster, was spraying fungicide on a wheat crop 15km north of Parkes when the plane clipped the top of a treeline and crash landed" (Daily Telegraph).

Just underscores the dangers I suppose, although thankfully the pilot walked away with nothing worse than a broken nose. Here's hoping it was none of the contributors to this thread!

This makes me wonder - I'm sure that accurate height control is crucial to achieving the desired spray distribution and preventing drift etc. I'm imagining that 10 feet might be the go for spray, but maybe higher for super or whatever. Is achieving that sort of accuracy all down to the mark 1 eyeball, or are the aircraft fitted with a radar altimeter as standard?

Obviously as this incident shows, the margin for error is pretty small.

Best wishes to the pilot if he's reading!

[currawong]

All eyeballs Swingwing.

The survey folks have rad alts though.

Differant types of job/condx can call for differant heights. Couple this with the fact everybody developes their own style based on experience.

Does not take much to contact something. Gust from the wrong direction or wake from a previous run can degrade a pull up over an obstacle etc.

Fly safe:E

[AT502]

I wasn't aware of the accident near Parkes, will have to ring around to find out who it was. (we all pretty much know each other in this industry) There have been quite a few crashes in the last few weeks, my educated guess to this would that everyone is so busy after such a long break with the drought and this usually leads to accidents.

As for application heights, depends on the boss' rules, what you are putting out etc. Not much room for error at all, it is a very dangerous job, but it is also very addictive. It annoys me when pilots from other areas of aviation consider us cowboys..............we are far from it! We are doing a heap of things at once while zooming around paddocks under powerlines. We use GPS marking systems now, have to keep our eyes both in and out of the cockpit, been constantly aware of all our tasks and hazards at all times.


Wear cotton? Thank an Ag Pilot!

Cheers,

ST:cool:

[Prince of Dzun]

Super Trouper:
I must say that I agree with your sentiments about ag flying as a profession. It is indeed a great job and for those few who can hack it the rewards are more than financial. My days were the early ones of the DH-82 with 400 lbs of super phosphate or 44 gallons of liquid in a what was the front cockpit. When the tail came up the view through the propellor was exactly the same as the view from your modern cockpit and the feeling of exhilaration would be no different. I loved every minute of it and although dog tired at the end of a sun up to sun down day the morrow was always anticipated with pleasure. My colleagues were good men and there was a clanish spirit even though we worked for rival companies. Over a period of time I came to the conclusion that a good ag pilot needed certain attributes and not all aspirants had them. There has to be a desire to do it, there has to be natural ability and a feel for the aircraft when both heavy and light. The pilot must be comfortable close in to fences, trees, power lines, ridges, valleys and cliffs etc. He must be able to pull balanced turns low down with a picture in his mind of the progress of the work. Also he requires a slight disdain for his own well being but this disdain should be no more than (shall we say) a naval pilot. Add to this the fact that there is no first officer to annoy you, no ATC dictating every move, no fourth floor chief pilot with ever ready tea and biscuits, no fools of passengers and no manual amendments. Mess it up and you pay the price. It's a great job but don't tell too many, keep it exclusive.
Regards,
Prince of Dzun

[Formally Known As]

Good post.

DH 82. You are also showing your age!!

Those were certainly the days, when men were men and women knew it.:suspect:

[currawong]

Compliments to you men.

It would be a great thing if you were to share some tales.

Especially if you are now beyond the reach of the feds.:E :E :E

[Lodown]

Stories?

Like the lads who did a little aquaplaning/waterskiing on the local lakes?

[Formally Known As]

Lodown

Water skiing? They are stories but silly stories. Very silly indeed.

Those stories and the pictures, do more to damage the image of the professional ag-pilot, than most accidents.

If you continue to take liberties with an A/C, be it a C150 and upwards, it will turn around and bight, in it's own time, and hard.

A very wise old gentleman once told me "look after an A/C and it will look after you."

Wingovers are also unnecessary in IMHO, although in some eyes they look good. A good clean steep turn will get you around as quick as anything. You only need to "miss one" and that's it.

Serious busness aviation, all aviation. It is a highly developed science, so don't pioneer.

[Lodown]

Couldn't agree more.

[zakpeegoodus]

.....On the up side, in Australia there is currently a very big shortage of pilots and loader drivers, so Glider, your timing may be just right.....
____________________________________________________________ _____________
Super Trouper are you serious...?

Always there is a shortage of loader drivers as the job involves the same disadvantages as being an Ag pilot but without the advantages of fun flying and good money...
And to any potential Ag pilots, be cautious of operators promising you a job flying after a season or two loading - often it is just a carrot to have you load for them....

Perhaps there is a shortage of experienced Ag pilots, but as for people like myself with an Ag rating but no Ag time - and with a general lack of rain across the country - forget it...

how do you figure there is a shortage of pilots???

As for the AAAA - I don't think they are interested in helping people to join the industry...Each time i ring and ask for a list of operators to send my resume too, they refuse - because i have not spend the crazy $$$ they want to become a member...I say, "Sure I will become a member - when i have an Ag job and can afford to pay...Now in the mean time are you going to help me get an Ag job by sending me a list of companies I can apply to?"
Always they say "no"...You can draw your own conclusions about the industry...form the very top of it....

Having said that - it is still the flying that I want to do...despite the sharks in the industry...
however i refuse to be screwed about by operatiors anymore - I wont go back loading, so I guess I wont be getting an Ag job...

Still if you know of any operators looking for a PILOT with 2,500 total, 500 turbine, 400 mustering, 60 tail-wheel, Ag and IFR rating...and a few years loading experience - cotton, rice, super, bannanas...?

[Prince of Dzun]

Formally Known As:

Currawong asks about "stories" and you seem to be pouring cold water on something that is part and parcel of ag flying. My memories of those great early days are of the doings of men of character who raised the standard by their very actions. Of course some of these actions would be condemned by the Feds (good word Currawong) and others. However to those of us who understood they simply generated nothing more than a quiet smile. What would you think of the pilot who announced his arrival back at base by running his wheels across the corregated flat roof of the hangar and sending the engineering staff into instant shock (to say nothing of the effect on the office girl) ?? Has it all changed to such an extent that these type of men no longer exist !!!
I most definitely agree with what you say about wingovers as they are unpredictable and dangerous. A good tight hard back steep turn is much better as it becomes familiar , retains the "feel" and the correct roll out heading is assured.

Regards,

Prince of Dzun

[Formally Known As]

Prince

A valid inquiry, one that I shall endeavour to address.

It's all good fun and I have never taken the "kill joy" attitude but there is no such thing as a free lunch.

These stories also attract the attention of the insurance companies, among others. Believe me when I say, they take this sort of behaviour very seriously indeed. They are aware that a percentage of accidents have an element of "showing off" in the cause. Therefore the premiums are increased accordingly, by stealth if you like. If half the insurance premiums where paid to the pilots as opposed to the insurance companies (a necessary evil in my view) then they would be paid a better wage, for the results of their profession.

Some companies may carry their own insurance and if you have a good safe pilot force it can be very cost effective but highly risky.

[AT502]

Dear Zak.....pa...whatever,

Maybe you have not done yourself any favours with your attitude!?!?!!?!? Sounding like your a little bit bitter that your are not a high time turbine pilot!

I have never worked for a company that has promised a loader driver a seat and kept dangling the carrot. Thats not to say it does not happen, however, if you are not getting your seat after a few years of pormises, it is time to have a good think about why. Is it you or the operator? It costs an operator $60k plus to train an Ag2 up to turbine Ag1 status, and then there is all the insurance hassles, so the operator is going to be very careful who he gives the seat to. So your attitude need to be right too.

Yes, I am serious, there are shortages of good Ag1's in Australia. Especially for night ops on the cotton. As this is a small industry, your reputation is spread far and wide, so a lot of jobs are filled by word of mouth. Zakpeegodus, if you are going to be sour from the start, then I suggest you move along, becuase you are only going to be banging your head against a brick wall for a long time!:*

And now lets look at what you said about the AAAA. Firstly, why should they send a list of all the operators to you for free????? The operators booklet is not a free publication and I am sure if you ring any other industry association and ask for a list of their members you will have to cough up $$$. Get on the yellow pages website and look up operators around Aust. It's not that hard!

I think it is pretty pi$$ weak of you to have a go about an industry body just beacuse they won't give you what you want. Because of the hard work of Phil Hurst, we have self regulation happening and many other wonderful achievements.

How do I figure there is a shortage? Because my company is currently looking (you need not apply, sunshine, I already have your hours and have had a brief introduction to your attitude) for turbine drivers for the upcoming cotton season.

Thats enough time wasted on your stupid comments.

___________________________________________________


Dear Prince & FKA,

As for the stories, I think they should be shared and passed on, as they quite simply don't happen much anymore. I know one guy went barstorming not long ago and the word got around the industry so fast, this guy will have to live with that against his name. So a lot of guys just don't do the silly stuff anymore as opertors simply cannot afford to employ pilots who want to do this.

Also the insurance companies pretty much have heard all the stories there are to hear!

Lets admit it, this industry has had a pretty bad reputation over the years and I firmly believe that those days are over, it is a much more serious job, with the cost of the aircraft, the regulations from CASA and EPA etc. Not many are willing to risk their career over a two minute stunt. But we also need to recognise that this is part of our history and we can't deny it (I am sounding very much like Dr. Phil now). So lets not pretend it didn't happen. I only ever hear of the harmless beat up and thats about it now, maybe I am living am living under a comfortable rock, but when some one does a stupid stunt you do hear about it pretty quick.

What do you two think???


Time to hop of my soap box................:sad::oh:

Super:ok: Trouper

[Formally Known As]

Super

Good post.

Yes, point taken. I am 25 years out of date and times change, for the better it seems.

[currawong]

Yahoo.

OK. Where did I say stories must include poor airmanship?

Wing over. Known in some quarters as a "wankers turn".OK if you are more empty than full. Popular amongst the wheelbarrow community.

Waterskiing. Some rice operators insist on it. Think about it. Also know of someone having a stack with a submerged log.

AAAA membership. Cheaper than a night on the pi$$. If that does not appeal, one of those phone directory CD thingies. Not every operator is AAAA....

It is tough getting a start. Most of us went through it.

Good luck.

[Prince of Dzun]

Formally Known As:

You raise a valid point about the insurance companies and it goes without saying that they look closely at the cause of all payouts. Interestingly I don't remember any "show off" types as the ag pilots of the 1950s seemed to me to do what they did for their own satisfaction alone. Also I don't recall any of them doing wingovers.
Whether the "stories" should be told or forgotten is something I'm of two minds about. Super Trouper says the insurance companies have heard all the stories but I doubt it.

Super Trouper:
What you say about today's ag flying is true. There is no place for the old time individual (mores the pity), cost of the aircraft, insurance, litigation, chemicals, standards etc etc have changed it all. Ag pilots are not alone, ask the B747 airline captain who flies from Sydney to London and back and is not required to make a single decision. Office wallahs and computers do it all.

Regards,

Prince of Dzun

[currawong]

Zakpee... if you are still around.

You are not the only one to get a bum steer here or there in this caper. The ones that you now know to avoid are just that.

Entry level can be every bit as ugly as GA.

Hot tip - the last loading job I took had absolutely no hope of leading to a seat. But I did make a contact there that pointed the way to one.

Hot tip#2 - my first flying job paid less than my last loading job.

Hot tip#3 - your interview for your first seat has been going on since you first came into the industry. You will be surprised who already knows your name.

Hot tip#4 - I forget

Good luck with it.

[doubleu-anker]

Tell ya how I got into it.

When I had a CPL, ink still wet on the license and always wanted to be an AG pilot. The normal route of course was driving the loader. Unfortunately I had known guys who had been loading 2 and 3 years, sometimes more, with no seat in prospect.

Well I said to hell with that, so I did an instructor rating, landed a job and got a lot of hours up quick. BTW I enjoyed instructing and kept it up part time for many years. You know who were among the hardest students I had to deal with, pre 1st solo? You've guessed it, loader drivers. Too many preconceived ideas. Some of the easiest (to teach I hasten to add) were 16-year-old females. No preconceived ideas.

To cut a long story short, I was in the right place at the right time when I approached (door knocking) a big operator, who fortunately for me, had no qualified pilots on loaders and I managed to get the job, straight into ag training.

Incidentally at the interview, having informed them that I always wanted to go into ag flying, one guy demanded why I hadn't got a job loader driving. My reply to this was I obtained a CPL to fly, not sit on a loader for years. They "bought that."

Yes, agreed a lot can be learnt about the business on the ground, first. Times have changed I know and this was getting on to 35 years ago.

Was there a maximum age then? Yes there was then, round about 30 years of age, if memory serves me correstly. However I have known 1 or 2 who have taken it up mid and late 30's and been very good.

Moral of the story is don't give up and be in the right place at the right time.

[AT502]

Prince,

Still on the insurance topic........................

The insurance guys get on the grog with us at our conferences and they would have to be pretty slow not to gather intellegence at these events!

I could also say more, but will leave it at that. But I am very confident they would know far more then they ever let on!

Cheers,

ST

[Jenna Talia]

It annoys me when pilots from other areas of aviation consider us cowboys..............we are far from it!

Well Super, I am in the RPT side of the industry and I'll tell you that I have always had the highest regards for the skills and hard work displayed by you chaps. Having your wits about you flying almost continuously in hot conditions throughout the day (& at night at times) whilst performing those manouvres must be extremely taxing.

I also hope this thread continues for some time as it makes a refreshing change to read about a vital part of our industry.

You should somehow consider turning those 'Thank an ag pilot' comments into stickers for distribution.
:ok:

[AT502]

Jenna,

Thanks for you positive comments!

As you can tell we don't have the same level of politics in our industry as you guys!

We have those stickers!!!!!! They are produced by our association, Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia. They are given to all operator members.

Sometimes we look at you RPT guys and think how much easier it would be and living on a roster system would be dream come true, given we can very rarely plan from week to the next. But then when your having a good day you think, why would I want to swap this with any other form of flying!?!

Cheers,

ST:cool:

[185skywagon]

zak,
pilot membership of the AAAA costs $110 per year. you will get a little book listing all member operators and their contact details.
cheap at twice the price.

[Nunya]

Any ideas from anyone on specifics of CASA ag rating exam line of questioning?

Nunya

[AT502]

Just wondering if you are still wanting to be an Ag Pilot?

Cheers,

ST

[glider]

Hi again!

I'm even more tempted now =)
It sure sounds like a lot of fun. My goals with aviation is to find a place where I can fly a lot and feel that I actually is doing something important for other people i.e. accomplishing a task. I will most definately look up on the different operators and check out what options I have.

Maybe I'll see y'all out there some day? :ok:

[185skywagon]

nunya,
exam covers what is in the CASA ag study manual. just looking at my study notes, operations as they relate to CAO's etc, Airstrip requirements, pilot technique, aircraft performance, planning, night ops, equipment, measurement(rates), medical, met, F&D.
there is a new book called the AERIAL APPLICATION PILOTS MANUAL. it is put out by the AAAA and CASA. it is more relevant than the older manual.
one thing in the exam, you have to complete a theoretical spray job (on paper) allowing for hazards, wind and sun position. this is not that easy if you haven't had any experience with ag etc. however, they are looking for your ability to work through the problem.
if you study the manual thoroughly, you will not have problem passing the ag exam.
hope this helps.

[tinpis]

Spray job on paper be much nicer than draggin yer ars outa bed at o dark 'o'clock on a bitter freezin winter morning.
Better to test yer on things like how long it takes for a tin of baked beans to heat nicely for smoko layin on the cylinders .
Also how to confront half a dozen irate cow cockies that cant milk coz ya just chopped down the power lines.:\

The best pair of agflyin boots money can buy (http://www.skellerup.co.nz/product/frb1.jpg)

:}