If you are looking for a position with a Custom Aerial Applicator but don't have any experience in the industry, having the best Ag training is  a good place to start.  Through our Agricultural Aviation Training Program you'll receive comprehensive air and ground instruction, from basic tailwheel conversion to advanced aerial application techniques. Our experienced instructors and outstanding facilities fully prepare you to be a working ag pilot, the kind owner-operators like to hire, all in a very controlled progression to fully operational status on the Gippsland GA200 and Cessna Ag Truck aircraft.

The program consists of three phases.  The first phase, Aircraft Handling, covers conversion to taildraggers in a Piper™ PA-12 aircraft.  Then, using a dual equipped Gippsland BA200 we take a general approach to converting to various aircraft types, along with an introduction to basic aerial application procedures.   The emphasis is upon precise aircraft handling at low speed/high gross weight configurations, and identification and awareness of pre-stall conditions.  Ground training includes an introduction to basic loding and mixing techniques.  By the end of this phase course members have demonstrated safe handling and operation of both the PA-12 and GA200 aircraft.

The second phase, Applied Aerial Application Techniques, includes an in-depth coverage of all aspects of aerial application, including application of inert (water) loads with the GA200 and C-188 Ag Truck, with progressively increased loads, calibration, ground, automatic, and GPS flagging, smokers, spray patterns, dumping, and repetitive load operations.  Ground training includes care and maintenance of all aerial application dispersal equipment, as well as classroom theory on swath characteristics, factors affecting load dispersal, and an in-depth review of drift management techniques.

The final Operational Phase introduces students to a realistic agricultural aviation scenario, culminating in exercises where the student is given a work order and must evaluate and organize all aspects, both ground and air, of the work details.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Commercial license
  
• Minimum of 200 hours total time
  
• Minimum 10 hours last 90 days