by Bill Lavender
It has been a tradition of AgAir Update to reserve its December cover for a recap of the year. In doing so, when the year is looked upon it becomes evident how fast time passes. It also becomes evident the ag-aviation industry is diverse and global.
January's cover was about Plummer's Props. This company has obtained an STC that permits the removal of the Dromader PZL propeller and replaces it with a DC-3 prop. The photo was taken over the rice fields of Louisiana as Riceland Aviation's three Dromaders fly in formation. Because of this STC, Dromader owners can enjoy a smoother flying aircraft, better performance and less operating expenses.
In the February edition, the new Weatherly Aircraft Company emerged into the ag-aviation marketplace. The verdict is still out on whether Weatherly Aircraft will survive. This truly magnificent flying and performing ag-aircraft returned to a soft, new ag-aircraft market. If the company does not survive, it will not be because of the aircraft. The ag-aviation industry needs an affordable, small-category ag-aircraft with its reliable Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine.
The March edition reflected the international flair of AgAir Update with a visit to a progressive operator in Argentina. This article is about the determination of an Argentine operator who, during poor economic times in that country, looks and finds ways to remain profitable. Using an AT-602B, AT-402B and a Cessna Ag-Truck, Omar Diaz is a prime example of how determination can be turned into success.
In April, AgAir Update traveled to North Carolina to catch up with G B Aerial, a forest fertilizing company from Texas. Owner David Guetersloh recanted on how challenging it is running an aerial forestry company. Each of the three AT-802s must operate at maximum efficiency with no room for errors. The amount of fertilizer these aircraft can distribute in a day is astounding.
By the time the May edition was mailed, Arkansas operators were working their aircraft, but not before they had been inspected and certified by the Arkansas State Plant Board. In order to accomplish this, the pilots and aircraft attended University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service sponsored spray clinics, conducted by Dr. Dennis Gardisser of the Arkansas Extension Service. Attendance to these spray clinics helped insure operators their right to fly.
Once again AgAir Update crossed the borders of the U.S. with the June edition. Its cover depicted a modified New Zealand Cresco taking off on Australian soil. This Cresco has been renamed the Stallion by its owner, David Reid of Air Pasture and Stallion Conversions, Pty. Ltd. The traditional IO-720 engine was removed and replaced by a more powerful TPE331-10. With turboprop power, the Stallion can work from very short strips and carry a full load all day long, making it a highly productive ag-aircraft.
The July edition of AgAir Update crossed the U.S.'s northern border for another aerial forestry article. Conair is one of the largest aerial forestry companies in the world, with its 47 aircraft fighting fires throughout Canada. Primarily a large multi-engine air tanker company, Conair sees the advantages of SEAT (Single Engine Air Tanker) operations and is the Canadian Air Tractor dealer for firefighting aircraft. Conair's diverse fleet of air tankers and bird dog aircraft enables it to respond to any type forest fire, whether it is an initial fire attack or a full blown raging wildland fire.
It was summer time in August for U.S. operator Al Baker, but it was also time for a little fun. RC (remote control aircraft) builders paid tribute to Al by building an exact replica of Al's AT-401B. Pretty Ms. Billie Jo Whitehead poses with the AT-401B RC model with the "real" AT-401B in the background.
In AgAir Update's September edition a little bit of history was relived. The DWA (Distributor Wing Aircraft) was a prototype ag-plane that was years ahead of its time that never came into production. With two opposed-piston engines, the DWA was an aerodynamic marvel, as well as a revolutionary design for ag-aircraft. The secondary engine, mounted below the primary powerplant, pushed huge volumes of air through the wing for distributing dry materials. Its designer, Ken Razak of Wichita, Kansas, is still in business today, with a special computer analysis program that tells the operator how much more efficient he can operate by replacing horsepower with aerodynamics.
October's AgAir Update brought its readers information about Brazilian experience with U.S. technology. The Spectrum Electrostatic (ES) spray system has been well received and operates successfully in Brazil. The ES is even offered as an option for the Brazilian-built Ipanema ag-plane. Using ES, the Ipanema's productivity can rival that of a larger spray plane with a conventional spray system. Although the ES is not widely accepted in the U.S., there are two units being used that claim to have good results. Since the same operator bought the second unit after completing a season with the first unit, he must like it! There is also a unit operating in Australia. As more and more operators and chemical companies realize the advantages of ES, undoubtedly there will be more units flying over more crops worldwide.
November's edition probably announced the most important (and long awaited) news of the year; the return of the Thrush aircraft. During the summer, two investors, Larry Bays and Payne Hughes, bought the remains of the Thrush project and is bringing it back to life as the Thrush Aircraft Company. Still based in Albany, Georgia and with many of the employees of the old Thrush manufacturer, the new Thrush Aircraft Company promises to keep the Thrush line of ag-aircraft alive and kicking. Many new modifications have been implemented for the Thrush that will improve its already excellent flying characteristics; spring gear on the 440 and 550 series, better aerodynamic lines on the 680 series, enlarged and improved construction of the hopper for all series, enlarged vertical stabilizer and rudder for the 680 series and a host of other improvements for each of the 440, 550 and 680 series Thrush that surely will catch everyoneÕs attention.
Although the December cover of AgAir Update for 2003 is a recap of the year, the lead story inside this edition is one of equal importance. Aerial Variable Rate Technology (AVRT, prescription flying) is going to take this industry by storm. After a season of trials (and tribulations) in 2003, the new technology of AVRT is about to be further proven in 2004. Predictably, this new technology will find itself into the cockpit of every ag-plane flying.
In the beginning, AVRT will serve the most obvious needs of cotton growth regulation and insecticide applications for select types of insects in cotton. However, the future use of AVRT is almost limitless.
Another level of use with AVRT will be in forestry, where simple on/off technology will be used to control applications in no-application zones. That technology will further advance so that rates can be varied over the forest based on the prescription generated for the application.
However, cotton and forestry will not be the only crops that use AVRT. It is only a matter of time before AVRT use will evolve into rice, wheat, soybeans and other crops as its applications are left only to the imagination of those applying it.
2003 was a good year for many operators, one well deserved and waited upon. AgAir Update has brought forth in publication many of the changes and everyday life of ag-aviation worldwide during 2003. The future looks as bright as ever, if the new technology and techniques of ag-aviation are embraced. The old ways of doing business are just that, old. Ag-aviation is taking on a new face, and yet still retaining some of its old one. Change is inevitable. It should be viewed as an opportunity. For many ag-operators, this change is welcomed. 2004 promises to bring more of these changes.