Do farmers still crop dust?

Today crop dusting is known as aerial application in the agricultural industry, and it’s one of the keys to modern productivity. “Ag” pilots flying a range of turbine and piston aircraft and helicopters skim 10 to 15 feet above fields.

Is crop dusting seasonal?

Crop dusting provides regular work during the growing season, which is longer in the warmer, southern states. Crop dusters fly over our nation’s crops dousing them with chemicals in the early morning and in the early evening, when the air is calm. Most crop dusters follow the crops and the seasons to stay employed.

How long is crop dusting season?

For a three-week period from late August to September, crop dusters hustle to kill the insects before the insects kill the crops. The “bug run” is what crop duster Rick Wenzel called it, a run that stretches across thousands and thousands of acres. “And you have to get it done right now,” Wenzel said.

Will drones replace ag pilots?

We’ve heard our fair-share of drone operators and companies claiming that their drone can replace a manned aircraft – it just isn’t accurate. We’ve also heard from manned ag aviators who are convinced us drone guys are out to steal their jobs. This also is untrue, and not realistic.

How much do ag pilots make?

The salaries of Ag Pilots in the US range from $48,000 to $72,000 , with a median salary of $60,000 . The middle 67\% of Ag Pilots makes $60,000, with the top 67\% making $72,000.

How much does it cost to become an ag pilot?

Training costs range from $50,000 to $70,000 for a private certificate, instrument rating, and commercial pilot certificate with ag training.

How much do ag pilots get paid?

As an agricultural pilot in the U.S. , you will earn approximately $40,000 a year, plus about $50 extra for each flying hour. After you have about three or four years experience, you can earn even more — to about $50,000 a year base pay, plus $75-$100 extra for each hour of flying.

Do crop dusters make good money?

Crop-dusters spread fertilizer, insecticides, fungicides and weed killers. Some farmers even seed from the air. Skilled agricultural, or “ag,” pilots typically make from $60,000 to $100,000 a year, and those who own spraying businesses can earn much more.

What helicopters are used for crop dusting?

Purpose-built aircraft Currently, the most common agricultural aircraft are the Air Tractor, Cessna Ag-wagon, Gippsland GA200, Grumman Ag Cat, PZL-106 KRUK, M-18 Dromader, PAC Fletcher, Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave, Embraer EMB 202 Ipanema, and Rockwell Thrush Commander but multi-purpose helicopters are also used.

Is it called “crop dusting”?

1. It’s not called “crop dusting” anymore. Because the term “crop dusting” automatically brings to mind the previously mentioned image, today’s pilots generally prefer the term “aerial application” or “ag application.” The pilots themselves are referred to as “ag pilots” or “aerial applicators.”

Is crop dusting a dangerous job?

The Real Danger Zone: Crop Dusting. An overlooked, but important job within agriculture. Aerial application, most commonly known as crop dusting, is a dangerous job and is unnoticed compared to other aviation jobs. Agriculture pilots are special people. They have to be great at multi-tasking and love adrenaline.

What happened to the crop duster?

He appears suddenly on the horizon and disappears almost before you have the chance to register him. Today’s crop dusting business is completely different, with million-dollar turbine-engine planes, intricate GPS systems for planning the row flights and triggering the sprayers, and well-trained, experienced pilots.

Does the federal government have jurisdiction over crop dusting?

Also, the federal government may have jurisdiction over crop dusting activities, as this case points out. Here, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received a complaint about a crop duster flying too low over an intersection and three nearby homes.