Originally Posted by
JohnBurke
Most likely he had no ag experience. He could have a lot of flight time, but no ag time, and be a zero hour ag pilot.
Most operators are very reluctant to allow a pilot with no ag experience to spray or fly for them.
You are correct that I had no ag experience, but this particular operator had already worked one low time pilot through a training program and had him flying, and had another in the pipe line. They were willing to check me out in the aircraft because I would have to do test flights after maintenance, so it wasn't a factor of them not trusting me to fly their aircraft, or wanting somebody experienced, it was the simple fact that it was easier to find pilots than mechanics, which gave them an incentive to keep me out of the cockpit and in the shop.