International

Canada's aerial application industry is relatively small compared to the United States. There are an estimated 275 ag planes (this does not include firefighting aircraft) and approximately 5% arable land. Even with these lesser numbers, the Canadian aerial application industry has momentum. For years, Canadian ag operators were primarily utilized...

Single Point Fueling was brought to the Ag Aviation industry in October 2000 when Turbine Conversions, Ltd received STC SA001323CH. The TCL "AKA Hatfield" Single Point Fueling was approved for installation on all Air Tractor, Thrush and M18 models. And soon after, all models of Ag Cats were added, as...

By Kreisha Ballantyne, reprinted from Flight Safety Australia: CASA's flagship aviation safety magazine   image: Adobe stock (modified) | Rafael Ben-Ari Wire strike rarely offers second chances, which means knowledge, planning and abundant caution are your only defenses. For most private pilots, the best strategy to avoid wire strikes is three words...

It takes a lot to impress veteran ag pilot Lary Graf, but the innovative technology of the CapstanAG™ SwathPRO spray system may have just done that. “They've solved my problems without creating new ones,” Graf says. Increased productivity, and application accuracy are just a few of the perks of the...

Of the many issues ag aviation presents to pilots, the seemingly never-ending changes to the day-to-day (and hour-to-hour) operations make this line of work incredibly challenging. Rapidly changing weather, crop type and stage of growth, runway length and type, temperature, humidity, wind velocity, pilot experience, and obstacles all make for...

Sertãozinho, a vibrant city in Brazil, was abuzz with excitement as it played host a small fleet of aircraft from the 2023 AvAg Congress. The event, organized by SINDAG) drew the attention of ag aviation enthusiasts, industry professionals, and local residents alike. The AvAg Congress, renowned for showcasing the latest...

via Air Tractor, Inc. - The worldwide Air Tractor family is saddened by the loss of Grant Lane, President and CEO of Lane Aviation, Inc. “Grant was a big presence and influence at Air Tractor, and in the ag aviation industry,” says Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch. “We will miss...

After more than four decades in the business, aerial applicator Kenneth Lauderdale agrees that the SwathPRO individually optimized nozzle spray boom system revolutionized how he gets the job done. Lauderdale, who operates Lauderdale Aerial Spraying, LLC in Burleson County near Caldwell, in Central Texas, has been in business for more...

Being an ag pilot is challenging, and sometimes it seems as if Mother Nature is in a bad mood, trying to sabotage all efforts by ag pilots to get the job done. Susceptible crops bordering the area to be treated are always downwind. Whenever there is an unexpected massive outbreak of pests,...

By Bill Lavender Situated in the state of Tocantins, near the city of Lagoa da Confusão, I visited an interesting ag-aviation operation. Precisa Aeroagrícola, Ltda. is owned and operated by husband and wife team Hoana Almeida Santos and Flávio Cunha Lemos Filho.   The company's roots started with Hoana and...