Ag Pilots

The old stereotype of crop dusters-excuse me, aerial applicators-is that they are scofflaw daredevils, perhaps with behavior issues. That caricature is a relic of the past, when an enterprising farmer would buy a $300 war-surplus Stearman, put a hopper in the front cockpit and fly the plane hard until it broke. It follows that some might think ag pilots are an unlikely source of safety wisdom, and have fallen far behind aviations cutting-edge technology, but the truth is quite different.

Mike Hart

Monday, February 25, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Ag pilot Cade Boeger climbs down from his turboprop-converted Grumman AgCat after landing on a dirt strip during his flying season. He’s learned a lot about flying low, personal fatigue and when to quit. Image copyright ©Chris Haile.

Key Takeaways:

The modern ag aviation industry has moved past daredevil stereotypes, boasting sophisticated turbine aircraft, rigorous pilot training, significantly improved safety records, and operations requiring peak physical and mental fitness.
Ag pilots operate in an exceptionally demanding low-level environment, facing constant hazards like unmarked wires, new obstructions, and other low-flying aircraft, underscoring the critical need for thorough pre-flights and continuous field scouting.
Their safety wisdom emphasizes robust stick-and-rudder skills, establishing pre-ordained decision "switches" to counter operational pressures, and prioritizing personal safety through diligent risk management over external demands.

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The old stereotype of crop dusters—excuse me, aerial applicators—is that they are scofflaw daredevils, perhaps with behavior issues. That caricature is a relic of the past, when an enterprising farmer would buy a $300 war-surplus Stearman, put a hopper in the front cockpit and fly the plane hard until it broke. It follows that some might think ag pilots are an unlikely source of safety wisdom, and have fallen far behind aviation’s cutting-edge technology, but the truth is quite different.

With the conversion from piston to turbine engines nearly complete—today, more than 90 percent of the fleet is turbine-powered—the modern ag aviation industry is dominated by $1 million-$3 million aircraft equipped with sophisticated GPS systems. The industry safety record and culture have improved markedly, with accident rates reduced by half since the 1990s. Pilots are often recruited from professional aviation programs. There is no room for daredevil pilots with accident or violation records, because they are simply not insurable.