Originally Posted by
tail wheel
cjam. It is probably fair to assume many ag pilots that started their career in the 1950s or 1960s may have flown far more hours than their log books records.
The years of the super phosphate bounties were boom years for the agricultural aviation industry.
I know of ag pilots who completed a full "season" in the eastern states, then move to the west for another full "season" - all in the same flying year!
Did that several years running back then. Most productive year flew more than 2000 revenue hours, more ferrying. Them was the good old days. Worked a while with one gentleman Aviator (Fleet Owner/Chief Pilot) who was chased for ages for his log book before eventually presenting one whose every page - one-page-one-entry - read "1955 - More than 500 hours;" 1956 - More than 500 hours; .... 1964 - More than 500 hours; 1965 - More than 500 hours; "1966 - More than 500 hours" -- and so on.
The (then) 'DCA' wallahs grinned -- and gave up on him.
VERY safe bet Agricultural/Bush Pilots - particularly those who chased the seasons in Australasia and around the world, some of us still at it, have the highest hours. High 30-thousands - even 40+K.
Sighhhhhh ...
