Ag Flying

[Chippik]

Hi all

Im seriously interested in being an ag pilot but need some advice.
Im thinking of doing a JAA cpl then convert it to a Canadian (or Australian) licence and do the ag rating. If I cant get a job then I have a JAA cpl to fall back on. Is this the best option?
The other question is, is it a good idea to get a turbine rating? (there is an air tractor sim in florida).
just a little extra info. Im a JAA ppl holder with tailwheel rating, due to do aerobatics + formation and am due to fly some time in an SNJ
I dont mind getting my hands dirty and always muck in

[currawong]

Chippik,

Cannot speak for everywhere but Down Under it is pretty unusual for a turbine rating to be of much use at entry level. Have heard of turbine first seats, have heard of it all ending in tears too. May be of use if you get a skydiving seat somewhere though - Caravan or Porter etc.

My advice, get a season behind you loading/ground crew. See if it is really for you.

Good luck.

[Chippik]

currawong,

thanks for the info, I know of a caravan thats used for skydivers so I can try that and there is also a Pawnee being used for glider towing (would a pawnee be of any use?).
Is there a site with ag jobs on it? Im pretty sure that its the career for me but doing a bit of loading wouldnt harm.

Anyone else with any info/advice

[currawong]

Chippik,

Pawnee time would be helpful, it is an entry level aircraft that many people get their first seat in.

Have a look at www.fieldair.com.au, it will give you a look at the Australian scene. There are similar sites worldwide, try google.

Good luck

[Onan the Clumsy]

You gots to take out the last comma to make the link work though

http://www.fieldair.com.au

[Dixons Cider]

Mentioned this b4 but didnt get much of a response that time .....

Is the number of blokes on the feildair site looking for postions fairly indicative of life in the ag world? I mean some of those blokes have a buckets of relevant experience.

Is it generally fairly transient? Once one gets into a seat, is it a given that it wont last long? (the seasonal aspect, rural economy, ag product markets would all be factors I guess)

[currawong]

Yes and no, Dix.

Maybe somewhere between a quarter and a half of the Ag jobs here are permanent. The rest casual.

Some like to work a season and take the rest of the year off.

Some work a circuit that keeps them in work most of the year, a sort of "see you back here next year" arrangement.

Operators that find good staff will try to keep them, or get them back for next season.

Once again, not many people here would be stupid enough to comment as to why some with buckets of experience are passed over for positions.

On the other hand, if it rains some more it will be operators advertising, not pilots.

[Dixons Cider]

Cheers Currawong - just trying to get a feel for life in the ag world.

[Super Cecil]

" just trying to get a feel for life in the ag world"

Nomadic, sometimes.

Goes from earning squillions some years paying zillions in tax to just existing others.

Wingeing cocky's, no rain, too much rain, we'll all be rooned if it doesn't rain by tuesday, we'll it has rained but we'll be buggered unless we get followup rain. It's too wet the crops have got rust (you bewdy). There is always a negative way of looking at everything.

It's the only way to fly, zooming round in a Pawnee only carrying 700 litres or 1800 in a 502 it's all great (maybe not on a 40 degree day full of salt). If you not your own boss sometimes the boss can get a bit demanding or the cocky's (see third paragraph). Spreading guano is good you even stop for toasted sandwichs for lunch, when it gets dark you go home, none of this work all night crap.

Your still in the Aircraft on your own looking at the world from the best view.

The only way to exsist, you even get paid to fly.:D

[chimbu warrior]

Young buck to old Ag pilot :" Did you ever have any life-threatening experiences?"
Old Ag pilot : "Yes son, I nearly died several times............ from starvation"