Blender, I flew a Pawnee about a hundred hours one summer. Alot of fun to fly empty but loaded with 120-130 gallons at 3000 feet elevation it was a dog. No comparison with the 500 gallon 1000 hp Thrush I fly now.
That sound you mentioned from the rotor of the 212 is even better when you're sitting there doing it. Just after daylight and just before dark, it'll give you chill bumps all over.
Those guys that are spraying the drugs must have big gonads or could be over half nuts. A couple of guys from here in north La. are down south doing it in Thrushes and AirTractors. Not worth the $115,000 they make.