by Alan McCracken
During one of my regular visits to Brazil I recently had the pleasure to spend some time with my son Henri together with a longtime friend in the aerial applicator business, Rui (Beto) Textor at his base in Montevidiu, Goias. In addition to visiting Beto’s base to see his excellent hangar and loading facilities, we had the tremendous pleasure of being invited for a ride in his aerobatic aircraft, an RV-6. Although I have enjoyed many different aircraft, this ride gave me a new and spectacular perspective of the world when doing a barrel roll over the beautiful agricultural region of Goias.

AeroTex operates five Cessna Ag-Husky’s and one Air Tractor AT-401B, for a variety of services with an emphasis being on highly accurate application using DGPS guidance systems. Beto has built up a very good business based on high quality of work, with satisfied customers being his best publicity.

AeroTex has conducted a very necessary and valuable marketing program to make their customers aware of the benefits of aerial application when compared to ground rigs. This is an ongoing process and is fully documented with photographs illustrating damage from ground systems versus the uniformity of aerial application without damage. AeroTex participates in training programs with the local agricultural schools to educate the students that what is really important in obtaining good results is not the volume of spray applied but how it is applied.

Objectives of AeroTexare to save the image and credibility of agricultural aviation, resulting from poor operation with a lack of professionalism and proving that when properly conducted becomes a highly efficient and economic operation for the grower. Also, to deliver to the farmer a dynamic and efficient operation at a competitive price using the latest technologies available.

As part of AeroTex’s philosophy of continued development of new technologies Beto has shown a keen interest in new products from Loveland Industries, Inc that should soon be available in the Brazilian market. These products include Choice, a water correction agent, and various new adjuvants/stickers namely Li-700, Bond and Tactic whose role is to enhance the performance of agricultural chemicals.