Agriculture Pilots: is Working in the Farming Industry the Career for You?
Before agricultural pilots begin the process of spraying farmland, they must survey the area for buildings, hills, power lines, and other obstacles and hazards. They must also notify residents and businesses in the general area that they will spray so that people and animals can be moved away from target areas.
Some agricultural pilots, particularly those who work for pest control companies, may mix their own chemicals, using their knowledge of what mixture may be best for certain types of plants, plant or soil conditions, or pest problems.
Agricultural pilots fly small, turboprop planes, which are slower compared to larger, transport craft, but which are good for flying close to the ground and for carrying heavy loads. They must fly close to the ground, often only a few feet above a crop, so that they will only hit designated areas with the chemicals.
Agricultural pilots help farmers by dropping food over pastures. They may photograph wildlife or count game animals for conservation programs. And their work also extends into forests, fields, and swamps, where herbicides and insecticides are needed. They also fight forest fires by dumping water or fire-retardant materials over burning areas.
No matter what the job, pilots must determine weather and flight conditions, make sure that sufficient fuel is on board to complete the flight safely, and verify the maintenance status of the airplane before each flight. They perform system checks to test the proper functioning of instrumentation and electronic and mechanical systems on the plane.
Once all of these preflight duties are done, the pilot taxis the aircraft to the designated runway and prepares for takeoff. Takeoff speeds must be calculated based on the aircraft’s weight, which is affected by the weight of the cargo being carried.
During flights, agricultural pilots must constantly be aware of their surroundings since they fly so close to the ground and frequently are near hazards such as power lines. They need good judgment to deal with any emergency situations that might arise. They monitor aircraft systems, keep an eye on the weather conditions, and perform the job of the flight, such as spraying fertilizer.
Once the pilot has landed and taxied to the appropriate area, he or she follows a “shutdown” checklist of procedures. Pilots also keep logs of their flight hours. Those who are self-employed or work for smaller companies are typically responsible for refueling the airplane, performing maintenance, and keeping business records.
