Vote Here For An Ag Pilot Forum
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Where ever there is sprayin'
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vote Here For An Ag Pilot Forum
G'day all,
I am trying to con the powers that be in Pprune to let us wonderful charming lot have our own forum. If you think this is a brilliant idea like I do, please submit a reply stating your support!
There is currently a thread running called Att: Ag Pilots which was trying to achieve the same purpose, however it has now turned into it's own little forum covering many topics.
Cheerio & thanks for your support
Super Trouper
Enjoy your lunch? Thank an Ag Pilot!
I am trying to con the powers that be in Pprune to let us wonderful charming lot have our own forum. If you think this is a brilliant idea like I do, please submit a reply stating your support!
There is currently a thread running called Att: Ag Pilots which was trying to achieve the same purpose, however it has now turned into it's own little forum covering many topics.
Cheerio & thanks for your support
Super Trouper
Enjoy your lunch? Thank an Ag Pilot!
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Perhaps you need to make this a poll!!
But I'll give you a yes, just so I can pop in from time to time and get the goss from you guys!!
Cheers, HH.
But I'll give you a yes, just so I can pop in from time to time and get the goss from you guys!!
Cheers, HH.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: two feet AGL or wherever there's smoke
Age: 47
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tomoz is right about rotorheads, Troup you may want to put out one of your 'fishing lines' in the rotorheads.
Also the idea of an AG Forum sounds numbawan!
Also the idea of an AG Forum sounds numbawan!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: cloud9
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have my vote.
Have found pprune a fantastic resource that has led me to two jobs in ag aviation and a seat in a fletcher. Resorces for ag aviation is very thin on the ground and we all need this. As they say build it and they will come.
Have found pprune a fantastic resource that has led me to two jobs in ag aviation and a seat in a fletcher. Resorces for ag aviation is very thin on the ground and we all need this. As they say build it and they will come.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Where ever there is sprayin'
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
justification......................
The main reason for wanting a forum of our own is becuase our industry (the aerial ag industry) has so many issues which don't really fit into other areas, ie. firebombing, baiting, locust, spraying, application issues, aircraft types, hours, seasons, the list goes on. One of the hot topics in our industry at the moment is powerline strikes as we had a record number in 2004. This area needs plenty of discussion so we can all help each other to maybe save someones life.
Our aerial ag industry does not have an anonymous forum to use like Pprune so therefore feedback and exchange of information that other aviation sectors are given on pprune are not available to us. I believe this could be a valuable tool to newcomers also seeking information on entering our industry. I have found pprune to be very accomodating to all other areas of aviation, but just becuase our industry is small we are still a very important part of aviation, the broad community and agriculture.
Our aerial ag industry does not have an anonymous forum to use like Pprune so therefore feedback and exchange of information that other aviation sectors are given on pprune are not available to us. I believe this could be a valuable tool to newcomers also seeking information on entering our industry. I have found pprune to be very accomodating to all other areas of aviation, but just becuase our industry is small we are still a very important part of aviation, the broad community and agriculture.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: australia
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good luck to you all.
Super Trouper, maybe you can help me. I have made numerous phone calls to various training institutions regarding obtaining an ag rating. Never got one phone call returned. (obviously they are making too much money to be bothered!)
I just want to know what the industry is like for a 500 hr pilot. I know the work is seasonal but I am wondering, is it over-crowded like the charter industry or are there places to start? Any help (from anyone) greatly appreciated.
Super Trouper, maybe you can help me. I have made numerous phone calls to various training institutions regarding obtaining an ag rating. Never got one phone call returned. (obviously they are making too much money to be bothered!)
I just want to know what the industry is like for a 500 hr pilot. I know the work is seasonal but I am wondering, is it over-crowded like the charter industry or are there places to start? Any help (from anyone) greatly appreciated.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
.....Getting a start
Masteroff,
have you tried Superspread at Deni? they do rating's and GPS training.
There are blokes who will employ 500 hour pilots. Have you done any loading? If you do a season or two loading then people will be more inclined to give you a go. There is a bit of money to be made if your loading a couple of aircraft and you can see if the job is really for you.
At the moment insurance seems to be the big problem, if you get in with a good operator and do a season or 2 loading then you might get a start. Broadacre seems to have the least obstacles for starting, if you could get a seat before the winter stuff (weather permitting).
Super used to be the way to start but these days there's not much doing in that area.
Don't expect that AG hours are going to be usefull as building hours toward an Airline career, they don't seem to like them even though it's skilled and disciplined work. Would an approach to minimums in crappy weather in an Airliner be an harder work (just the flying) than working on a dark night with just a turn and bank and a GPS?
If your keen then you will get there, it's a matter of keep on trying.
have you tried Superspread at Deni? they do rating's and GPS training.
There are blokes who will employ 500 hour pilots. Have you done any loading? If you do a season or two loading then people will be more inclined to give you a go. There is a bit of money to be made if your loading a couple of aircraft and you can see if the job is really for you.
At the moment insurance seems to be the big problem, if you get in with a good operator and do a season or 2 loading then you might get a start. Broadacre seems to have the least obstacles for starting, if you could get a seat before the winter stuff (weather permitting).
Super used to be the way to start but these days there's not much doing in that area.
Don't expect that AG hours are going to be usefull as building hours toward an Airline career, they don't seem to like them even though it's skilled and disciplined work. Would an approach to minimums in crappy weather in an Airliner be an harder work (just the flying) than working on a dark night with just a turn and bank and a GPS?
If your keen then you will get there, it's a matter of keep on trying.
Last edited by Super Cecil; 11th Jan 2005 at 09:57.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Where ever there is sprayin'
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello masteroff,
I am trying to avoid topics other than polling for a forum on this thread. There is another thread running in D & G called Att. Ag Pilots.
I agree with everything Super Cecil says. You really need to start at the bottom. Start ringing around to see if anyone wants a mixer/loader and your training will begin from there. Also get in your car and door knock............. you will need to be prepared to start at the bottom, very important.
I do not recommend you pay $14000+ for an ag rating until you have done a couple of seasons on the ground.
Good luck,
Troup
I am trying to avoid topics other than polling for a forum on this thread. There is another thread running in D & G called Att. Ag Pilots.
I agree with everything Super Cecil says. You really need to start at the bottom. Start ringing around to see if anyone wants a mixer/loader and your training will begin from there. Also get in your car and door knock............. you will need to be prepared to start at the bottom, very important.
I do not recommend you pay $14000+ for an ag rating until you have done a couple of seasons on the ground.
Good luck,
Troup
Join Date: May 2002
Location: lake providence, la.
Age: 63
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Count me in.
Masteroff, ag flying is a difficult business to break into. The flying is unlike most other segment of aviation and it is not for everyone. Take the advice of others. Get a job working on the ground. Work in the high heat, dusty, and other wise undesirable conditions that go with crop dusting. This is not a luke warm type of job. It has to get in your blood, or you just won't stay with it. The money is great if you're in the right spot, but if you don't love it, it'll show and you won't last. So, save your money until you know what you want to do. This is not the kind of job to build hours and then go do something else. The jobs are getting fewer and the a/c are getting bigger, but alot of us are over our peak and eventually we'll have to quit. If you're still serious get a subscription to Ag Air Update and imerse yourself in the business.
www.agairupdate.com
Good luck,
barryb
Masteroff, ag flying is a difficult business to break into. The flying is unlike most other segment of aviation and it is not for everyone. Take the advice of others. Get a job working on the ground. Work in the high heat, dusty, and other wise undesirable conditions that go with crop dusting. This is not a luke warm type of job. It has to get in your blood, or you just won't stay with it. The money is great if you're in the right spot, but if you don't love it, it'll show and you won't last. So, save your money until you know what you want to do. This is not the kind of job to build hours and then go do something else. The jobs are getting fewer and the a/c are getting bigger, but alot of us are over our peak and eventually we'll have to quit. If you're still serious get a subscription to Ag Air Update and imerse yourself in the business.
www.agairupdate.com
Good luck,
barryb
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Awwwwwww, what could it hurt. Sure be good to hang out with others whose hairs are all fallin' out and havin' weird appendeges growin' out of their backs and necks 
.
Oh, and TomOz, we don't have to be called Aggies do we? Over here in Texas that term takes on a WHOLE 'nother meaning.
.Oh, and TomOz, we don't have to be called Aggies do we? Over here in Texas that term takes on a WHOLE 'nother meaning.