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May was a busy month at AgAir Update, making several trips to visit Thrush Aircraft in Albany, Georgia, three operators in the Delmarva area (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia), Houma, Louisiana for the oil spill and finally to Central Florida Ag Aero in Orlando; logging about 25 hours in the aircraft.
At the end of the month, as usual, we close out next month’s edition for printing. I always read over the proof sheets looking for errors. When I came upon the Featured Classifieds section, I noticed a turbine powered Ag-Cat with the tail number N6632Q. For some reason, the N# seemed familiar. The year model was right, but the engine was different.
I looked on my office wall at photos of me spraying soybeans in 1977 in my new 450 HP B-Model Ag-Cat. Looking closely, sure enough, the tail number read, “N6632Q”! I was amazed to see the aircraft for sale in AgAir Update over 30 years later. I sold the aircraft in 1980 to buy a new Ayres Turbo Thrush with a PT6A-11AG (s/n 001). That was the last time I saw N6632Q. History has a way of coming back to you. South Delta Aviation has the aircraft for sale. It’ll be interesting to see where it ends up.
The ongoing “big story” is the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Now deemed the worst oil spill disaster in the U.S., surpassing the Valdez spill. Finally, after more than 16 years of efforts to become a player in the aerial oil spill dispersal industry, a dual cockpit AT-802 has been permitted to apply dispersal over the spill. The AT-802 is the last effort to disperse the oil before it reaches shore, virtually becoming a hero of sorts. Whatever oil it disperses, is oil that did not reach shore. It is as simple as that. So, any oil dispersed by the AT-802 is a success.
If the oil industry had recognized years earlier the potential of a fleet of properly managed AT-802s (or any large ag plane like the Thrush 660), the success rate could have been greatly enhanced. There is a narrow space between the coverage area of the large tanker aircraft, like the C130, and the shoreline. This area is ideal for the ag aircraft to demonstrate its unique abilities of surgical-like precision dispersal applications.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is a “proof of concept” for the use of agricultural aircraft in dispersal operations. What happens in the Gulf of Mexico with the AT-802 will lay the groundwork for the ag-plane to be a hero in dispersing any future oil spill that has the capabilities of making landfall.
In closing, now that International Crop Duster’s Day (May 27th) has passed, I hope those of you associated with a crop duster took the time to recognize that person in some way. If not, you’ll get the chance to do it again next year. There are plans to select a more appropriate date. I’ll keep you posted.
Until next month,
Sometime last year, I picked up a news feed from an Anahuac, Texas newspaper reporting May 27 was Crop Duster’s Day. It was the first time I had heard of such a day. In the article, it described how an older, retired, local crop duster that worked at a local museum came up with this idea to honor the old duster pilots in the southeastern part of Texas.
I did a little research on the Net and was able to place a phone call to this person, Mr. Bobby J. Wheat, who is tagged with the nickname, “Old Duster”. Mr. Wheat and I had a very pleasant conversation that included his early years flying the Stearman in the Chambers County, Texas. He went on to tell me how he implement Crop Duster’s Day through his connections at the museum. He agreed to send AgAir Update articles recounting those golden years of ag-aviation.
While we talked, the idea of an International Crop Duster’s Day was formulating in my mind. I suggested to him to rename the day and I would help him promote it through AgAir Update and AgAir Update Latinoamerica. Neither of us had a plan for implementing this. We simply wanted to get it started.
I’m sure you have read references to today being International Crop Duster’s Day. There isn’t anything special going on today, like a fly-in or convention. The day is being set aside to honor all the old duster pilots and the current ag-pilots. For right now, Mr. Wheat and I would like everyone associated with this business that is not an ag-pilot, or has not been one, to turn to those ag-pilots you know and thank them for the job they do. Today is one for acknowledging this person, giving them a pat on the back, send them an email or better yet, give them a call. It is as simply as that.
Several AgAir Update readers from around the world have asked, “Why May 27.” There is no significance to the date. I believe it may have been a convenient day for Mr. Wheat. There are a couple of thoughts about this date, one being because it is during North American ag-pilots busy season either they are too busy to be acknowledged, or because they are busy they will be. As long as the day remains this time of the year, I believe it will always be just an appreciation day. If the day were to be changed to early spring or late fall, since winter is South America’s busy season, possibly there could be a meeting somewhere. What do you think? Post your thoughts in the comment section of this blog, please.
In conjunction with International Crop Duster’s Day, Mr. Wheat has formed the “International Crop Duster’s Day Society”. Membership is free, simply send him your email address explaining who you are and how you are a crop duster. I believe he is even accepting “wannabes”. You’ll need to check with him about that. His email address is: oldduster@aol.com.
If you did something special for your significant ag-pilot or crop duster today, please send me a photo and/or a short write-up about it.
From all of us at AgAir Update, a big “Thank You” to all crop dusters worldwide! You have a challenging job that requires instant decision making that will determine if the application is completed safely and accurately, as well as the outcome of your flight allowing you to return to your base without incident. The availability of safe, affordable and abundant food relies heavily on your abilities. Your efforts protect forests, wildland habitats and people by using demanding firefighting skills. Your precision application skills protect our world’s food supply. Now, you are taking a role in oil spill dispersal desperately trying to keep the oil from floating ashore. Public health worldwide is improved because of your mosquito control applications. Many do not appreciate the role you play, not realizing you are the green stewards of the land. Your day will come as the world demands more food and more protection from many fronts. Until then, today is your day, International Crop Duster’s Day!
For more about International Crop Duster's Day, written by Bobby J. Wheat, visit this website:
http://www.theanahuacprogress.com/articles/2010/05/26/news/news05.txt
