Crop Spraying: NOT a dying art
- Telani Lithgow
- Jul 14, 2020
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 22, 2020
This article was written for us by Agri Pilot Chris van den Berg
I've been part of this industry since I was 3 years old. My dad bought his first crop spraying aircraft in 1989, a Piper Pawnee (ZS-EVG), and I was inspired by his love for flying to follow in his footsteps.
When people think of an "ag-pilot" they envision some old guy flying a biplane with his leather cap, buzzing the landscape without a care in the world. If you're one of those people, you're certainly in for a big surprise.
There is more to aerial application aviation than you have ever imagined. Today there are organizations working to change the stereotype of the ag-pilot. The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is one such organization, due to the way they promote research, new technology and new spraying techniques.
Crop spraying has become a sophisticated and professional industry different from the ways of the past, when "flagmen" on the ground were used to indicate the line in the field to be sprayed by the pilot. Two people would stand at each end of the field and once the pilot lined the aircraft up with them and the aircraft passed over the flagmen, they will move twenty paces up. Today's crop spraying aircraft are fitted with GPS units, flagmen are no longer required. The GPS units help the pilot to do a more accurate job, thereby adding to the professionalism of the crop spraying industry.
In South Africa, approximately 65 pilots hold an ag-rating, though not all of them are actively spraying. Southern Africa has a good balance between young and old aerial applicators, stretching from ages between from early 20's to 70 years of age. However, in America, the average age of an aerial applicator is 60 years old. This demonstrates that there are ample opportunities opening up all over the world for ag-pilots. A fairly good living can be made from being an aerial applicator, although it is like a roller-coaster ride. Nothing is for certain in this business, due to fluctuating crop prices and unpredictability of weather patterns.
Crops are seasonal; there are certain times of the year that you won't have any spraying work to do. Some pilots spend the summer months spraying crops in the Highveld and in the winter months they'll move down to the Western Cape for spraying work. This means that they are spending months away from home on a yearly basis.
One of the drawbacks of this line of work is likely its risk factor. Ray Dyson, an American aerial applicator once said: "Mothers should always caution their sons about making a career choice that requires a crash helmet." Statistics show that crop spraying is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The pilot's role is a professional one with tremendous pressures, requiring courage, caution, and common sense, with a mindset on safety. The pilot must be under control at all times and be able to recognize fatigue. Sometimes pilots work for weeks with very little or no days off.
Hazards that aerial applicators have to look out for are wires, structures such as houses, trees, cell phone towers, weather conditions especially mist and also the terrain due to the extremely low level at which agricultural pilots have to operate.
Headlines like: "Crop spraying pilots are a dying breed" or "Crop spraying is a dying art" are very disturbing. The most frequently asked question to aerial applicators is whether there is still a future in the industry. To produce future foods, fiber and bio-fuels, increased production on land already in use will be critical. The use of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides has helped to increase such crop yields. Big ground spraying rigs and genetically generated crops have cut into business, but there will always be a place for a crop spraying aircraft.
Not only the pilots' skills, but also their relationship with the chemical representatives and farmers will determine the success of an aerial applicator. Due to finances and economics, farmers are working under a lot of pressure themselves. A pilot who offers their services to a farmer can literally "save" a crop attacked by insects, fungus or weeds. If you fail, he fails. If you win he wins.
Getting up early before sunrise, flying for hours without stepping out of the aircraft, combined with the stress and pressures involved, makes crop spraying challenging, but it all adds to the excitement of being an aerial applicator.
Any type of flying has it challenges and dangers. Always remember that taking off is optional, but landing is mandatory.
This article first appeared on my previous website, ppl-flight-training dot com, but since I moved the site, I have added the original comments below.
Oct 11, 2019
kids of cropspraying pilots
by: Kevin Vercuil
How many guys are there still out there who had fathers that did crop spraying and spent more the at the airfield than at home during holidays. I know I had more fun at the Boland hanger than many other places and the work of helping mix poison was more fun than many other things I have ever done. If there are any more guys that grew up at the Malmesbury airfield by Boland, Agricura etc my e-mail is vercuilkevin@gmail.com
Oct 11, 2019
Boland Lugspuit Diens
by: Eelco Nicolai van den Bosch
MAGIC!!!
My Dad, Nic van den Bosch, Jurie van Aswegen, Amos Schreuder, Andy, etc was all pilots for Boland!!
Had a LOT of fun times running around in the hangers!!!!!
After Malmesbury we moved to Parys to the Boland branch there
Aug 08, 2017
Boland
by: Kevin Vercuil
Hi
Though I never went into crop spraying I still visit the airfield with my grand children when I can. Most of the older pilots are not there any more as people such as Andy Visser and most of the others as well as my dad have passed away. They will always be remembered as the people who gave me a love of aircraft with constant flips and just being allowed to be a child round those fantastic men in their flying machines.
Kevin Vercuil
Mar 05, 2017
Boland Lugspuit Diens
by: Anonymous
Hi to You,
Stumbled on your article and some good memory comments.
I personally knew Johnny Verkuil, Andy Visser and my father was Francois du Toit.
We spent many joyful days and experiences in the hangars in Malmesbury.
They were great guys, tough and pilots of the highest order.
Who of their children are still alive now who share my sentiments?
Would like to hear.
Greetings,
Fred Knott
Dec 29, 2016
Ag Pilot Training
by: Fantini Air
Very nice to see so many people interested in our game. If you are interested in Ag spraying, contact Fantini Air in Kroonstad. We are the only accredited Ag pilot training school in Africa.
Nov 14, 2016
Nigeria crop spray opportunity
by: Anonymous
Great inputs guys. Reading from you all is quite informative. Operating in Nigeria where this industry is certainly growing. Anyone keen in knowing more, please feel free to ask.I certainly need crop spray pilots out here should any one be interested. Cheers, Uche. mdagaviation@gmail.com
May 21, 2016
Up with Air Tractors
by: Garth Richert
Keep up the good work. Air Tractors are superb and what an amazing career for those game enough to take it up. Like your comments about crop spraying.
Thanks again.
Oct 26, 2015
Best Gym Mats
by: Anonymous
I think crop spraying is not a dying art. Getting it right before the flight. I have also bookmarked the page.
Oct 22, 2015
Good Effort
by: Anonymous
I thank you for the nice effort. You have maintained this website very well. Not all the webmasters can maintain such a great website.
Oct 22, 2015
Good Effort
by: Anonymous
Crop Spraying is not diminishing but its importance is increasing day by day. I have also bookmarked this link as it is very useful.
Oct 07, 2015
Really nice
by: Johnson
What a great post you have shared here. In this post you have mentioned a lot of unique and helpful information. I like to say thanks for this effort and collection.
Sep 13, 2015
Account
by: Ceata
Not only the pilots' skills, but also their relationship with the chemical representatives and farmers will determine the success of an aerial applicator.
Aug 07, 2015
Jobs
by: Jayson Spencer
I'm an Australian , working here in Africa for the past 18 months , and I love the place , I've got 4000 hrs total approx 2500 on geophysical survey , 1000 cattle mustering and I hold an Australian Ag rating , I'd like to know if there is many openings for Ag 2 positions in South Africa I would be here for the long term . My email is jrspencer73@gmail.com , hope to hear from someone .
Cheers Jayson Spencer
Oct 17, 2014
Crop spraying pilots are great people
by: Kevin Vercuil
My dad used to fly with a company in the western cape, Boland Airspray services and I spent many happy years at the airfield in Malmesbury. I never went into flying, something I still regret. My first flight was also at age three in a Pawnee 235 and later on in the 80's in the Brave 375 sitting on the log books as he couldn't see over my head if I sat strapped in.To anybody that thinks crop spraying is easy or some old timer just flying up and down a field, go and stop by a airfield and talk to these pilots They can all tell you some or other story and you will never meet a nicer bunch of people. I still enjoy stopping by airfields and talking to the pilots or just looking at the aircraft. My kids and grandson all enjoy the trips and love the aircraft as well.
Mar 10, 2014
Oor die Pawnee ZS-EVG
by: Gawie Steyn
Weet jy dalk by wie jou Pa die pawnee gekoop het?My Pa het Vlakte Lugspuitdiens edms Bpk gehad op Malmesbury. Hy het 2 Pawnees gehad EVG en IKT.
Wil graag weet of die besigheid nog bestaan.
My oudste seun ,met oupa se name is ook n vlieenier.
Hy stel baie belang in oes bespuiting werk op die oomblik vir WOF(Working on Fire)en het so ietsie oor 1000 uur agter sy naam.
My email is gawiesteyn@mweb.co.za en nr 0828962956 as jy my dalk wil kontak.Groete
Jan 10, 2014
Fifty-five years 35,000 hrs an applicator
by: Zed-Air
.... remember 1. wings level, ball in the center on entry 2. Cut the load, increase the water when the temp goes up. 3. Narrow down the swath when the wind picks up and 4. Pull out when the light-bar indicates 3 meters off center ....
Close -- but no Conmemoración del Natalicio de Eugenio María de Hostos/Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos Box for you this January 11!
Better yet: wings level; Ball? What ball? Head up and out of the office; Water? What water? That's for irrigators, not aerial applicators, creates "fines" and maximizes the probability of off-target drift; Don't work when it's calm, you'll maximize the quality of the coverage, penetration of the foliage and the swathe when there's a cross wind but; True. Three meters of your line is a failed run.
One out of four's not bad.
Dec 18, 2013
jou pa
by: Machiel
Het in die begin jare van jou Pa se lugbespuiting baie van sy puik diens gebruik gemaak, hy was 'n wonderlike mens. Kontak my asb by 0716750885
Nov 18, 2013
Crop Spraying
by: Walter
Dankie Chris,dit is n baie stresvolle werk wat ons doen maar ek ruil dit vir niks.Daar is n klomp jong manne wat nou inkom.Dit is verblydend om te sien daar is nog jong manne wat bereid is om te werk vir hulle geld,soos jy weet,werk sal jy werk.
Vlieg veilig.
Oct 21, 2013
Becoming an AG pilot
by: Anonymous
Hi,
Thanks for a great article! Information about training in SA and arial application is quite limited.
Are there any South African flight schools that offer AG pilot training. If you have completed your PPL, what would be the next step to start a career in arial application in South Africa.
Regards
Feb 26, 2013
Like
by: DVZ
Thx Chris, your article has a positive note. I've been in the business for many years ( I taught your father to fly ) and I do agree that the need for ag aircraft will always be there. It is my impression that ag flying is on the increase. The most important contribution that you and I can make, is to provide a solid service. The grower should not have to wait too long for us. We must be committed to a certain area and look after it. There's nothing so disturbing than hearing of a pilot/operator shooting off to bigger fields and leaving his regular customers without an aeroplane.
That in my opinion is the single biggest killer of ag flying.
Keep up the good work and remember 1. wings level, ball in the center on entry 2. Cut the load, increase the water when the temp goes up. 3. Narrow down the swath when the wind picks up and 4. Pull out when the lightbar indicates 3 meters off center.
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