Red Bug Spraying Skymaster in Grand Forks
 

Today I saw for the first time the Red Skymaster that flies low over Grand Forks (and I'm sure other towns as well) to spray for mosquitos. It was one of the coolest things I've seen seeing a plane fly that low and fast and not get violated. I'm assuming its probably government operated to some capacity does anyone know what department operates it?

I don't know who operates it but it does the same thing every summer. This is my 3rd summer in Grand Forks and it starts every June. You'll see it happen several more times over the next couple of weeks.

Yeah, I saw it buzzing over too. We were actually talking about how smart it is to use an skymaster instead of a non-centerline thrust plane do that kind of stuff over a city.

Department Of Natural Resources

Especially this time of year when it is hot and humid out. Single engine climb performance is crap in the Seminoles.

More than likely, he is operating under a 137 Certificate, and has a waiver to fly closer than the rest of us. If you think that looks cool, then you should see some of the Ag planes running around the Ms. Delta. some of those guys are crazy!

That guy is freaking awesome, he's flown directly over my fraternity twice in the past week at what can't be more than 100ft AGL

plus the skymaster is just so loud, I love it! it's operated by airborne equipment inc. in Halstad, Minnesota, i think it flies out of Ada, that'd be a great way to spend a summer

I heard they used to spray with C-130s and they would set off car alarms all over town

the c-130 was really cool

Wow Eric I bow down to your aviation knowledge. Now seeing that C-130 would be quite a sight. :eek:

aww shucks:D

in all honesty i was just really bored this morning and decided to geek out and do some research

It's baaaaack!

Just got some pics from the roof of my house, he flew right over us just over treetop level

FREAKIN AWESOME!!

my friend got a video with his camera and he's gonna put it up on youtube, i'll post a link to it once it's up

The video is up, video taken from the 2nd floor roof of my fraternity

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lMjOcj04DZA

Schweet!!!!!!!!! I'm jealous, not only does he get to do that, but legally!

You all sure it wasn't just a Grand Forks misquito? I hear that they are required to file flight plans up there considering how big they are. What's the required separation after a misquito takeoff up there?

It's 3 miles in trail. Doesn't matter though, have about 1,000 midairs with them every flight.

It seems like the ultimate summer job. and with how many mosquitoes there are up here i bet that guy stays pretty busy.

Hobo, where was that taken in your video? I see the parking garage and the med building (I think), but I can't seem to place where you're taking the video from.

My guess is Pi Kappa Alpha or Beta Theta Pi.

it was taken from the roof of sigma nu

Nice video! Where's that parking garage located? It's been a while since I was up in the forx...

It's the old parking lot next to Swanson.

When did they build that? Musta been sometime this past year or so?

They started it just over a year ago. I think it is supposed to be done in August. They also tore down a few of the apartment buildings on the south side of University across from the Wilkerson complex to put up a new housing complex that will open in August.

Ive been really tempted to go sneak up on top of that parking garage to snap some pictures while he flies over because the view from my roof is kind of limited by the big trees around us, but getting arrested for trespassing isnt very high on my list of things to do, so i guess i'll just have to wait for it to open up

Got a call from a friend working out at the airport. We've been upgraded to a C-130. I dunno if it's gonna fly over the city, but it's been spraying the airport.

Awww. . .thank you all for reminding me why I left UND(after graduating of course).

The C-130 is from an ANG unit in Florida, I think they are only up here for a few days to spray the AFB and the city. It's cool to see it low level over I-29 spraying the median, they are haulin for sure. That Skymaster scared the living crap out of me the first time it buzzed my apartment.

Oh ya and the Skymaster is based out of Drayton, ND.