How to get a job crop dusting?
03-10-2010, 10:24 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Left
Posts: 251
Originally Posted by Airhoss
Surely that is about the funniest thing I've read all week. Buying a 1 million dollar airplane is not gong to garantie you anything but 1 million + dollars of debt.
I've got some friends in the business. Most will start the new guys off seeding if they can the fly in ointment is obtaining insurance for a new guy. Most are uninsurable and are forced to buy their own airplane and self insure initially.
But you can buy an older recip for far less than million or two as has been posted here.
You can get into an Ag-wagon or a Pawnee for well under a 100K. Also keep in mind that most aerial application fatalities happen within the first 5 years of experience.
Good luck it a tough but not impossible goal.
I've got some friends in the business. Most will start the new guys off seeding if they can the fly in ointment is obtaining insurance for a new guy. Most are uninsurable and are forced to buy their own airplane and self insure initially.
But you can buy an older recip for far less than million or two as has been posted here.
You can get into an Ag-wagon or a Pawnee for well under a 100K. Also keep in mind that most aerial application fatalities happen within the first 5 years of experience.
Good luck it a tough but not impossible goal.
03-11-2010, 07:38 AM
#12
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Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,708
Originally Posted by ZBowFlyz
The latest from the insurance co. said that we couldn't use the "Dry Chem." time for the time building anymore. <shakes head>
Have pen have log book, will have required insurance minimums in about 30 minutes..
03-17-2010, 03:52 PM
#16
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Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: AT-301-600G
Posts: 88
09-11-2010, 07:37 PM
#17
New Hire
Joined APC: Sep 2010
Position: Thrush
Posts: 2
Aerial Applicator jobs
Unfortunately, this business is similar to many others - who you know goes a long way. Generally, experience is the best way to get a job. If you're really passionate about it, you can try to get a job as a mixer/loader for an applicator. If you already have a commercial pilot's licence, so much the better, and you'll want to build taildragger time. If you've got a good head on your shoulders, it will show. Hint: the last thing the applicator wants to hear is how wonderful a pilot you are. I used to check out prospective pilots for a company I worked for and the arrogant guys didn't get my recommendation. It seemed that the ones that had the most to say often had the least aptitude. Ag school is a great idea whether it's mandatory or not, but keep in mind that it's probably not going to guarantee you a seat right out of the gate.
09-11-2010, 08:42 PM
#18
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Joined APC: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,399
I've heard an A&P is helpful, however that's another 2 years of schooling (roughly) to obtain. Its always good to have one and may open more doors for you. Spraying may look like a good time for now, but you need to consider what you want to do for 30 or 40 years.
09-13-2010, 01:55 PM
#19
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 75
Flying is only part of it. You have to be a little bit farmer, mechanic, know how to mix chemicals, and be a book keeper. In my neck of the woods, the guys here have been doing it for over 30 years so they know exactly who's land is where and exactly how to get there. There's a lot to it.
10-09-2010, 07:36 PM
#20
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Joined APC: May 2009
Position: The GF of FUPM
Posts: 3,073
I tried to get into it in the 80s. Rented a POC, flew to God knows where and spent an hour talking with the guy. His advice to me was...
"If the flying doesn't kill you the chemicals will....do something else"
So, I did.
It looks pretty cool, but long hot days in hot airplanes pulling Gs and dodging tree and power lines would get OLD FAST.
Besides, it impossible to do a cross word or a sudoku while flying an ag plane.
"If the flying doesn't kill you the chemicals will....do something else"
So, I did.
It looks pretty cool, but long hot days in hot airplanes pulling Gs and dodging tree and power lines would get OLD FAST.
Besides, it impossible to do a cross word or a sudoku while flying an ag plane.
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