Chalk up one more year, 2007

by Bill Lavender
With each December edition of AgAir Update, the cover story is a culmination of the last eleven editions of the year. This annual journey through time takes the AgAir Update reader back through the year and offers a farewell to 2007 as well.

This year’s article begins with the January edition with its cover depicted in the top left corner of this December edition’s cover. Moving clockwise, each month of the year is featured on the cover and in the text of this article.

2007 launched with the January edition covering the Colorado convention and a great cover photo of their September fly-in. Colorado is one of the only, if not the only, state associations with 100% membership. Colorado also hosts fly-ins that are designed to train Operation SAFE analysts.

The author, Walt Jazun, lives in Colorado and helps AgAir Update with its contacts in Argentina. Walt grew up in Mendoza, Argentina, moving to the U.S. in the early 1980s to fly corporate aircraft. Today, his “real” job is as a captain for United Airlines flying the Airbus 319/320. After more than 20 years of flying to every corner of the globe, he enjoys mingling with ag-pilots.

February’s edition featured a unique cover of an Ag-Cat dusting grapes in Chile with the wine maker holding his bottle of wine. It’s a good article about operations in Chile and the photo is memorable. However, there’s another story that goes along with it from behind the scenes. The owner/pilot of the Ag-Cat sent AgAir Update the cover photo without photographer, Matt Wilson’s, permission. After an extensive exchange of emails, Mr. Wilson decided that his photo appearing on an international publication’s cover would be an asset to his portfolio. The event ended with an invitation to visit Chile and taste the wine firsthand.

In March, AgAir Update takes a virtual trip to South Africa with a feature article on Eugene Kalafatis, aka “Diesel Dog”, and his Micronair-spraying R22. There has always been some interest in helicopters flying ag. But, when a small ship like the Robinson R22 is used, it becomes even more interesting. Eugene gives the reader good insight to the challenges of ag-flying in South Africa with a helicopter.

With springtime’s good flying weather approaching, April’s edition highlights Grant Lane and Pat Kornegay of Lane Aviation delivering two new AT-502Bs to Costa Rica. Banana spraying in Central America is big business and Costa Rica is in the middle of it all. The article gives a pictorial of how these two American pilots navigated through Latin American customs and immigration officials with unprecedented aerial views of active volcanoes, jungle and Central American lakes.

Colorado is not the only U.S. state with a stellar fly-in. Actually, most states conduct very professional spray clinics and Missouri is no exception. Dr. Dennis Gardisser and his assistant, Lynn Baxter, in the May edition, relay how important a spray clinic is for the aerial applicator, while also revealing the commaradie after the spray runs are finished.

Every ag-operator enjoys ag-flying. For many, it takes the place of big profits. But, every operation has to make a profit, sooner or later, to continue in business. The June edition of AgAir Update goes into detail about, “How profitable is your ag-aircraft?”. Written by financial analyst Sam Miller, the article explains the ins and outs of managing revenues for a flying service to generate the most profit.

Rumors have floated around for several years about Air Tractor building an aircraft with a 1,000-gallon+ hopper, the AT-1002. AgAir Update visits the factory and in the July edition reveals the specs and expected delivery date for this latest edition to the Air Tractor fleet. Watch for this side-by-side seating aircraft to be flown in 2008.

Probably the most commented-on cover feature article of 2007 for AgAir Update was August’s “Corn Run in 2007”. At the very last minute, past deadline, AgAir Update visited several operators in a two-day whirlwind tour. The operators had just peaked at the third week into the “run” and were on the downhill side of it with a couple of weeks remaining. The chronically tired eyes told the story better than any words. The smiles also told a story of many pilots being economically safe to fly another year. The corn run in 2007 was a phenomenon that brought ag-flying to the public forefront. It also proved to ag-operators how quickly the prospects of a less than good season could swing into the positive.

In the September edition of AgAir Update, Thrush Aircraft comes back to life with an announcement of double digit delivery numbers to customers overseas. Test pilot Jody Bays delivers one of the 510 Thrush models to Dole Standard Fruit in Honduras. Dole has been a long time customer and user of the Thrush aircraft with operations throughout the banana-growing world.

Eugene Kalafatis, aka Diesel Dog, makes the cover of AgAir Update twice in one year. However, in the October edition he has upgraded from his Robinson R22 helicopter to the Robinson R44. Eugene writes in detail how he analyzed the various helicopters available for aerial spraying in South Africa. His conclusion to use the four-seat R44 works well in his spraying and charter operation.

It is surprising how fast time passes. It seems like only a few years ago, much less than twelve, that the DynaNav GPS unit entered into the competitive ag-plane GPS marketplace. From the November edition’s testimonial by Bradley Reed of southern Louisiana, DynaNav is earning a strong portion of market share, worldwide.

There you have it, 2007 recapped. For most U.S. ag-operators, it was a good year driven by the ethanol crops and late season weather. For the complete story about any of the 2007 feature cover articles, visit www.agairupdate.com. Then, click on “Feature Articles” in the sidebar to the left. You will also find feature articles from previous years. Or, you can order an AgAir Update CD Archive Library with the complete publication for years prior. Simply call AgAir Update at 478.987.2250,