2002 A window in time

by Bill Lavender

We did survive it; a year post 9/11. It comes as a well deserved effort by everyone in the industry to take the proper precautions preventing a wholesale movement to ground ag-pilots. In retrospective, ag-aviation has been fortunate, working almost unhindered. However, one usually makes his luck. American ag-pilots have quite successfully made their own luck, acting in a professional and prudent manner.

In this edition's "2002 -A window in time", the photos tell the story starting at the top and advancing left to right to the bottom. AgAir Update's January 2002 edition started with the cover depicting two turbine Thrush aircraft working rice in Arkansas. The cover tells the story with few words, where Mark Hartz and Scott Goetz of Grand Prairie Dusters utilize the workhorse Thrush.

In February, AgAir Update's cover jumps across the "pond" to the land DownUnder; Australia. Here, some of the world's most sophisticated technology has been developed for ag-aviation's use. With Trimble GPS, interfaced with AutoCal's Variable Rate Solids Controller, Houma Avionics' Jim Graves teams up with SST Australia to perform aerial applied prescription-driven, variable rate applications of fertilizer.

Back to back, in March, another lead story emerges from Australia. Gwydir Air introduces night spraying with a Bell 206 helicopter, a first for this country. The modified Bell 206B3 Jet Ranger is outfitted with triple 450-watt night work lights. Making the application are six Micronair AU5000 rotary atomizers spraying cotton.

In April AgAir Update had Thrash Aviation working from its home base in Perry, Georgia. Flying five AT-602s and an AT-802, this company proves ag-aviation can operate from public airports, and nearby congested areas fertilizing pine trees. The story relates to how Jimmy and Helen Thrash use expert public relations tactics to keep their aircraft in the air, despite the uncertainties after 9/11.

Proving 9/11 affects all of ag-aviation, the cover of the May edition features AgAir Update reader John Seay of Gerik Ag Service in Aquilla, Texas, taking his company's PR to another level. A talented aircraft painter, John colors the company Ag-Cat in World War II Grumman fighter colors and a large American flag. This low-flying ag plane is bright yellow with easy to ready company name and military insignias. When the public views the aircraft while at work or ferrying, it is likely tensions are eased as the aircraf,t painted in familiar, patriotic colors passes overhead. Closer to home, in North Carolina, the June AgAir Update depicts Air Tractor operator James Fletcher, praising the advantages of owning an AT-602. Having switched from a Cessna Ag Wagon to an Air Tractor and climbed the ladder with an AT-402, then more recently to an AT-602. James expresses his concerns about changing to a turbine power aircraft, and how his business changed once he did so.

AgAir Update slips behind the once "iron curtain" to give a detail update about ag-aviation in the Ukraine. The most popular of ag-aircraft in this part of the world, the Antonov An-2 is outfitted with a turbo prop engine, gracing the cover of July's edition. The reader is guided through the Ukrainian fleet from the powerful turbo prop An-2 down to the economical-minded use of ultralights.

In August, we find another AAU cover devoted to the helicopter industry. Here, in France's Champagne Region, Air-Champagne uses the helicopter to work extraordinarily difficult vineyards, often less than one hectare in size. Pilot Christophe Druart is AAU's guide, explaining how ag-aviation carries on in France with its own unique way. AAU's September's cover demonstrates the durability of the ever-increasingly popular Walter turboprop engine. Installed on two of Detraz Flying Service's Ag-Cats, Mike Detraz works endlessly to get the black cat of bad luck to a more amicable yellow. Starting out at a young age, Mike never gives up as adversity testing his persistence. The AAU October edition brings forth yet another engine design, albeit it a bit more radical. Not radial, but the formidable power of the V8 piston engine. The Orenda engine is not an automotive engine, although its V8 design may appear such. With millions of dollars in research and development, the Magellan Company brings to ag-aviation (and general aviation aircraft) a viable choice for reliable power for ag-planes.

As more and more ag-operators turn to alternative means of producing revenue with their aircraft, and interesting segment of the industry is the use of aircraft for mosquito control. Although Chatham County Mosquito Commission does not conduct typical agricultural operations, in many ways its aerial mosquito work relates to the industry. In the November edition of AAU, the CCMC relates to ag-pilots worldwide the sophistication of a mosquito commission. Mosquito control is high-tech, and the ag-plane fits the bill nicely.

Undoubtedly, 2002 and has been a challenging year for most ag-aviation operations. However, it is from the challenges that companies learn to look outside their normal activities to further develop the utilization of our aircraft into a more profitable role. We find that adversity often is the child of success. There is a saying, "When given lemons, make lemonade." Ag-aviation is doing just that with every passing season.

For the complete story details and cover photos of each edition this year and in year's past, visit AgAir Update's web site, www.agairupdate.com.