Wakarusa, Indiana-based AgriFlite is a family-owned business that has been in operation since 1973. They provide aerial application services for customers in Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. The company adopted the use of Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) in the last two years on their fleet of Air Tractor 802 and 602 aircraft with the help of Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU).
Garrett Eby serves as AgriFlite’s chief pilot and has flown for more than 20 years. He has flown aerial applicator missions for more than ten years.
“I hated flying in the dark,” said Eby. “Flying with night vision goggles is a game-changer and a huge stress reliever. We were forced to fly back if it was getting dark before NVGs. This wasted our time and money. Now, we can finish our job before flying home.”
One of the best reasons for flying at night is increasing operating hours also. NVIS allows AgriFlite to have one pilot flying during the day and one at night, which significantly increases productivity and utilization of their equipment. AgriFlite’s two Air Tractor 802s and two 602s are equipped for night vision operations. ASU, night vision innovators with more than 25 years of experience, installed AgriFlite’s NVIS lighting, provided military-grade goggles, and trained their pilots. Conditions are ideal for flying at night. The winds typically die down, which protects the pollinators nestled safely in their hives. Spraying at night also protects ground crews who safely return to the fields during the day. Being able to complete their flights and deliver their applications after sundown accelerates the return on their investments.
“The NVGs increase our situational awareness and safety. I have had to take a load back before because of low-light situations before NVGs. Now it is like night and day. We often fly hours away from our base of operations, and spray in remote areas. The NVGs allow us to get the payload delivered and get home safe. There was so much we were missing out on by not having NVIS. In our industry there is not another tool that changed so much. This really allows us to fly eight more hours if we need to.”AgriFlite uses their aircraft for spraying mosquitoes and crops.
To learn more, visit ASU at NAAA booth 903 and join the education session, Night Vision Ops—Getting your Ag Aircraft Ready to Rock n’ Roll on Wednesday Dec. 8, 2021 at 9:45 am.
