Air Tractor 402B Full Load Take-off (Cloud seeding research flight-not AG)

Take-off with full fuel and 400 gallons of WATER. Research flight searching for thunderstorms for meteorological data collection.
Here’s the purpose of the of the research, should answer a lot of questions:
www.agweb.com/weather/usda-sc...
• Electrified Clouds to ...

[@johnrad14]

That is a really nice 402 panel! I might have to show the boss this one!

[@erikasells7504]

Great. That’s exciting. It’s actually pretty normal for this airplane

[@npalen]

You really need a sunshade for the "kneepad"!

[@bohhica1]

How many gallons of fuel was wasted while messing with something that probably could have waited or done before engine start?

[@fungimarklinux8658]

I use alittle flaps in tighter turns. Eliminates stalling.😉

[@tgh223]

u kidding

[@xxxbheardxxx]

You don’t like the centre line?

[@skilletthandle]

NOT A PILOT, BUT LOOKS LIKE FAST TAXI WITH SOMETHING FLAPPING IN WIND?

[@jreagle58]

I've been searching for the answer to a question. They use these air tractors in Spain to drop fire retardant. The turnaround seems very quick. Presuming there is a remote dirt track near the fire, how do they load the retardant and how fast can it be loaded?

[@wntu4]

Along the left side of the aircraft there are two connections known as Drylok connectors. One is just forward of the pilot and leads to the forward tank, the other a few feet behind the pilot is for fuel. These birds have small fuel tanks and will typically refuel at every turnaround. The plane will pull up and the engine will remain running. Sometimes the pilot might even set the parking break and get out to go bio. The ground crew, maybe as few as just one person, will turn on his pumps and drag the hoses out to the plane. He will connect the forward tank first as it takes the longest and will actually have a bigger connector and hose. Then the fuel is connected. The connectors are called Drylok because they ensure zero liquid release happens on to the ground. The fuel will finish first and be disconnected and the hose dragged away and pump turned off. While waiting for the forward tank to finish the ground crewman might get up on the wing and clean the windshield. Bugs are a thing at low altitudes. When the forward tank is full the Drylok is disconnected and the hose pulled away, pump turned off. The ground crew will signal the pilot that he is clear to leave. All this is accomplished in a few minutes.

[@West-TexX]

Was this at Abilene?

[@rc_farmer4866]

He used about 10 degrees of flap @ 8:27

[@charleshoffman7791]

good ol San Angelo

[@guitarhillbilly1482]

I realize this is a special operation weather flight. What else is mixed with the water? In an AG Operation this much ground time after loading would be unacceptable. PT6 Engines love Fuel even on the ground.

[@leedaero]

guitar hillbilly Just plain water. Fuel use was not a concern for a short term research project, profit not necessary lol.

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

He was also taking off from a controlled airport. No amount of hustle is going to make the tower give you clearance faster.

[@guitarhillbilly1482]

@@Skinflaps_Meatslapper Most AG operations are NOT from controlled Airports. I realize this was a research flight just commented on a fact of normal operations in an AG operation which is not making any money on the ground and time is a very valuable commodity in AG Operations for the Operator and the Customer.

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

@@guitarhillbilly1482 You're talking to an ag pilot/operator, and you're saying things I already understand. He probably would've been in the air a lot faster if he wasn't waiting for the tower, hell, anyone would've been off the ground a lot faster regardless.

[@kevinbruno3898]

Interesting ! Where does it take place ?

[@leedaero]

KSJT

[@jamesbutler5995]

The runway was so long you could land the space shuttle on it.Besafe!!!!

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

She's heavy !

[@sixwillwin]

I got to the nine minute mark and pushed stop. If you’re an ag pilot and can’t takeoff within a couple minutes that’s pretty sad. Not sure about what the “full load” looked like but that’s just an every load experience numerous times a day. What airport where you at? Looked like a lot of the runway and taxiway’s

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

If you're an ag pilot then you probably already understand why we all avoid operating out of controlled airports. He wasn't going to spray a field either, but that spectrum box in the bottom right corner should give you a hint as to what he was doing.

[@ximenoworks]

Are those Trans States Airlines jets?

[@davegeorge7094]

That's AA eagle commuter line I think.

[@surrvey]

5:56 whats going on at the left side?

[@leedaero]

American Airlines commuters in storage.

[@sugershakify]

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

[@tgh223]

when actually working a 402 in ag pilots carry 300 gallon

[@bohhica1]

Look at all the American Eagle planes, must be getting rid of them. And why not ask for an intersection takeoff?

[@terryspence9591]

Looks like he didn't use any flaps for the take off. That's a big no no.

[@guitarhillbilly1482]

Good Catch. Full Hopper and Full Fuel. NO FLAPS??? Most Air Tractor pilots even use some flaps in the turns while working a field especially while the airplane is loaded heavy.

[@patriotgardener8837]

I would agree with you on a short strip but a 8000 ft runway. Its not really needed. But to me it should be muscle memory by now and it gets me interested as to why he chose not to use flaps? Is it because the runway was very long? or did he forget? because he couldn't see his checklist on his tablet because of the sun????

[@leedaero]

Flaps go down to 10 degrees at 8:27. CIGARRS: controls, instruments, gas, attitude, run-up, radios, secure

[@donanders2110]

@@leedaero a bunch of armchair pilots around here! 🤣🤣🤣

[@sophiasocal68]

@@donanders2110 especially if they ask " Did he check his mags?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rustybux]

He's paying more attention to his Ipad, computer and phone than he is flying. Wonder if he texts while driving his car.

[@rodriguezjp85]

Using his phone for forelight, probably using forelight on his ipad as well, pulling up important information on the panel.. We as pilots use everything we possibly can to make flying safer for us.

[@donanders2110]

Pilots multi-task!

[@joshmoore6165]

Next time, make sure all your toys are operating before getting airborne. Way too much distracted driving going on.

[@stearmandave]

Once airborne and trimmed, super safe to text. Don’t text and drive but perfectly safe to text and fly! This is normal. It seemed to be a real beast to get off the ground, even with the turbine. Super heavy

[@leedaero]

Tools not toys and they worked just fine except for the glare. Read the description, not a typical ag flight.

[@tmangamingx]

@@leedaero Hey lee I have been curious about the instrument on the nose why is it always on the outside and so far away mounted on the front of the nose? Just curious not being a smart butt. Enjoyed the video! Could possibly add ATC in the next vid ? Thanks

[@leedaero]

TmanGamingX Watch this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip3Zqaelp6yiaJI

[@tmangamingx]

@@leedaero ok thank you