Crop duster, aerial applicator or ag pilot?
All of the above! Ag products delivered on crops used to only be available in a dry form, so the pilot who distributed these crop protectors became known as "crop dusters". Aerial applicators are instrumental in helping growers protect crops from insects and diseases. Aerial application is often the safest, fastest, most efficient and most economical way to treat a crop when pests or disease threaten it.
Aerial application is used both by conventional and organic growers.
Both farming methods use pesticides, just different types.
Meet an aerial applicator!
Washington Grown featured Gavin Morse, a Washington State aerial applicator, in their season 2 episode about barley.
Pilot Training
An aerial applicator needs to be a pilot, a licensed pesticide applicator and computer whiz all in one. Lots of applicators start as an apprentice with an experienced pilot and training can take 3-5 years.
Ag pilots requirements are:
- Commercial Pilot Certificate
- Class II Medical Certificate
- Trained and tested in agricultural aircraft operations
- State-administered EPA commercial pesticide applicator certification
- Meet the requirements for insurability in the aircraft and type of flight operations
Training continues throughout a pilot's career. Continuing education includes classroom work but may also include participation in the National Agricultural Aviation Association's (NAAA) Professional Aerial Applicator's Support System (PAASS) program or an Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) Clinic. S.A.F.E. requires a pilot to have his aviation and application skill evaluated under actual field conditions.
What about drift?
Today's crop spraying planes are equipped with mapping technology that makes it possible to pinpoint exact areas to be sprayed and assures even distribution; thus protecting the crop and the environment. Drift is illegal and rare in Washington state. Aerial applicators are trained to apply products in a precise manner and only under ideal weather conditions to prevent drift. Aerial applicators live in the communities where they work, so they are very concerned with the health and well-being of their families, friends and neighbors.
What tools do applicators use?
How is aerial application regulated?
Did you know ...
- There 50 ag pilots in Washington State.
- The average age is 50+, so there are lots of opportunities for younger pilots to train and work!
- Aerial applicators treat 71 million acres each year.
- Most of the crop protection spray you see consists of water. Depending on the product, it could be as little as half a cup of crop protection per 100 gallons of water.
- Aerial application accounts for just under 20% of all applied crop protection products on commercial farms and nearly 100% of forest protection applications.
- 87% of the aircraft used are fixed-wing aircraft; the remaining 13% are rotorcraft/helicopters.
Benefits of aerial application
- does not disturb soil or growing crops
- ability to treat wet fields
- possible when crop canopies are too thick for ground rigs
- does not contribute to topsoil runoff
- when timing is critical, an airplane or helicopter can accomplish three times as much application work as any other form of application can.
