Are You Too Old To Become a Crop Duster?

[@jamesdehart5039]

I started at 50 in ag flying but I had a lot of tail wheel and aerobatic experience ! Now I am the chief pilot for a large chemical and spraying business with 4 aircraft, I know that I am very fortunate that I was successful starting so late in life as a aerial applicator and now have flown every spray plane make and model out there!! If I had to start over I would NOT change a single thing because I was way to willing to take chances in airplanes until my grandson was born now not so much!!

[@carpaithia]

Thank you for that out look....I'll be 42 this week 2 years of nursing school left...after that I wanted to obtain my a/p mechanic and after that go into ag pilot school... every one keep telling me that it's too late in my age just stay has a nurse....but reading this gave me more confidence....thank you

[@jamesdehart5039]

Not to discourage you but I had 1500 hours of flight time prior to going to ag school is the reason why I was so successful very few people have that experience going into this and it was all tail wheel and aerobatic time if you’re trying to go to ag school with zero flight time that will Be a very large mountain to climb not impossible but very difficult

[@AgAviationAdventures]

It sounds like you had a lot of dedication! And that's what it takes.

[@carpaithia]

@@jamesdehart5039 .... it's a challenge that I'm willing to accept....I'm not into it for the money.... it's basically my shot of a child hood dream of flying and doing something that's not point a to b all day....I've been exposed to aviation my whole life...my father was a/p mechanic worked on the B1 program out of plamdale,CA and the shuttle program etc throughout the country..... I'm been discouraged my whole life even join the military I still never got my shot....so I'm slowly getting there now.....

[@r.t.7353]

Tyson, I always appreciate your videos and opinions. I can say this though. Sun up to sun down in an ag aircraft will always be better, for me, than 12-18 hours in an office, hospital, or other work setting. I'm 46 and will be either loading or flying ag by the time I'm 50. Goals, brother. Goals. Keep up the great work, lay it down smooth, and keep on making videos!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Awesome to hear!! With the right attitude anything is possible. Appreciate the comment.

[@truckerownerops]

For me I'm 46 years old I have always wanted to be a ag pilot I have started flight training and working on my ratings it's never too late to do what you love to too. Age is just a number if you really want something go for it so later in life you have no regrets.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Definitely!! Have fun in the process.

[@MyScoopingJourney]

Great and honest video. As an AirTractor firefighter pilot myself, my point of view is similar to yours. It takes a massive effort in different aspect to commit to this industry at yours 50’s. Keep the videos coming, hope my channel can grow as yours has. 🤗

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Well said!

[@robstanton9215]

I agree with you Tyson. I also appreciate your candid viewpoint on things. I’m in my 50’s and while I once had a dream of being an ag pilot, the fact that I made it this far through the stupid decisions, one has to reason that this type of flying requires quick reflexes and a quick mind. It doesn’t mean I can’t fly or even do some aerobatics. It just means that it’s doubtful in a close to earth proximity situation that I’d make the right decision in a pinch that a younger man might make. The exception to the rule is if I had been flying for 30 years and had that instinct ingrained in me. That isn’t going to be the case with someone learning to fly in their forties or fifties and then trying to apply it to ag aviation. Thanks as always for the videos!!!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for the comment! Appreciate it!

[@marcjohnson4884]

So I'm 60, lots of aviation experience, including tailwheel, and finishing my career. Happily not in the boat where I work until I die. Early on I tried to get into ag, but couldnt make the connections. I'm now studying to take the pesticide tests, planning on getting my CDL back, and having fun contemplating the process. I'm not about taking a seat from young guys who are pretty desperate and I would LOVE to do a season ground loading, cuz I love planes and I've always loved ag aviation. If I ever spent 1 day flying an ag plane, it would be among the best of my life. I wish there were mentors like this channel, Sweet Valley, and George Parker's group back in the day. Keep up the good work, Ag aviation is mission critical.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching Marc. We're hiring ground personnel if you're looking for a job.

[@riggitydoo5116]

At any age I'd suggest springing for 8 hours of flight time and just fly back and forth over a field doing steep bank turns at each end. Looks like it would be super fun for the first few hours, then turn in to a job. I've got flight time and tractor time. I like the videos, would love to try it, but just for fun.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Totally! We say this a lot when people tell us how cool it must be. It is cool, and we love what we do, but it is a job!

[@battshytkrazy156]

UNDERRATED channel

[@AgAviationAdventures]

ahh thanks!

[@soyanarchisto4443]

I don't know that age is the factor insomuch, as you say attitude and fortitude. You and George Parker like to point out regularly how many young bucks wash out of this process. Some of us have been in a few rodeos in our lives and know ourselves well enough to decide whether this might be right for us or not. We don't know till we try it. Thanks for the videos - hope to see you around Colorado in the off season some time!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That's a great point!

[@dgss1-m7u]

Hey Now! If I can make snow 70+ hrs a week at 57. A nice warm plane sounds great at 58. ❄️. Miss you Buddy!!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Haha you are most definitely the exception to the rule!!

[@danielmarcou2040]

Age is just a number, I know a few Ag pilots who got into this in their late 30s and even in their 50s. Also know a few who keep flying well into their 70s.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

For sure!

[@golfbravowhiskey8669]

I am 51. I Have my own c188 husky spray nothing but my own crops. I’ve had that husky for about 15 years but when I first got it I did some custom spraying not much but just a little bit to help pay the bills when I bought it. With that being said me spraying my own crops I know my fields perfectly can almost spray them blindfolded. Now if I had to go do custom spraying today at 51yo even in my little 188 on other properties it would be very tough, I hate to admit it but I can tell my cognitive skills have declined since I was a 45 years old. Your reaction times aren’t what they used to be. Now when I’m spraying my own crop it is strictly muscle memory because I’m doing the same thing sometimes five times or more a year. Now is the video states are you too old? If you are just starting out never been an aviation even no PPl I would definitely say about 45 years old would be the absolute top limit. Now if you’ve been flying your whole life maybe that would be a little more. But if you’re going from zero to hero and expecting to jump in a large turbine at 50 hey no, you gonna kill yourself more than likely and I don’t know if there’s a operator out there that will let you jump in his thrush or AT with zero time other than school time.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for your comment! I'm sure this is helpful for folks trying to decide.

[@mtkoslowski]

Thank you for your frank observation about this vocation and suitability for older people. However as far as I am concerned and this is just my opinion but Ag flying would be soul destroying.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That's all all of this is are opinions!

[@AeroworksProductions]

Are those airbag seat belts?

[@bryanhauschild4376]

Yes, AMSAFE brand likely.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yes, AMSAFE is correct.

[@Ty-qx1ui]

Can we have a video where you answer the opposite? Im still in highschool but I have a pretty strong interest in this career field if I go through the training to get a commercial license. Am I too young to start doing this? Should I gain experience in other avenues first? I live in Southern California. Im not really sure where to start but aerial application is a dream of mine.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

You're not too young at all. I would get in with a company on the ground and start loading. Make sure you like it and begin working on your licenses. By the time you are 20 you can be flying and spraying.

[@kyle2034]

Hi Tyson, this video is really helpful. I'm 37 and have my PPL with 90 hrs and have been considering getting out of the tech industry. I would LOVE to do this sort of work, I haven't done farming before but I grew up on a homestead and not afraid to work hard and get my hands dirty. I'm getting to a breaking point where I don't know how much longer I can stand sitting in front of a computer all day. We're building a house here in Eastern NC, I'm wondering how difficult it would be to get started in this career and target a specific area like that? I know there are lots of aerial applicator businesses out that way.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching Kyle. I don't think you would have a problem finding a job loading for an operator. What may be a bit more difficult is finding an operator who will put you in your first seat and work you into the industry. It can be done but you may need to just get in the car and meet as many operators as possible and get your name out there and find someone with the opportunity you're looking for.

[@richarddavenport5888]

That’s a young man’s job!

[@bryanhauschild4376]

I’m 62 and still doing it full time.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

We know many who are older, but have been doing it for their entire life.

[@richarddavenport5888]

@@bryanhauschild4376 congrats, I was actually talking about starting late in life. I bet you were doing it at 20 and that’s got to be fun at times and a lot of work All the time

[@skymaster341]

Hi Tyson , I have CPL 1,000 /hrs. tail wheel and spraying by Cessna 188 I am now 58 and I desperately want to conversion to Air Tractor B502 Is it possible for me ? .......Thank you

[@AgAviationAdventures]

It will take several years to get to the point where you're making money but if you want it, go for it. Also check out these videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4KwnGedlM-JjKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ-pi4SMiMxqoZo

[@carloscordova6934]

Greetings from burley idaho Ag aviation advetures

[@AgAviationAdventures]

👋🏻👋🏻

[@antoniosimac946]

Hi! Do an AG Pilot have Sunday off or work all week 16hr per day during season?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Does an Ag Pilot Have a Set Schedule? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYLRkKCqqahrkK8

[@sailontakitezy]

Constant down elevator in level flight? Is that a cog issue? I notice it a lot... cheers

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That's just how it flies.

[@ThatGuysProject]

Better to have an issue and know the plane will gently pitch up rather then down i think.

[@sailontakitezy]

@@ThatGuysProject of course. Trim is a different thing.

[@ThatGuysProject]

@@sailontakitezy that it is, i was generalizing though as i tend to use it on landings to lighten the control loads with aft stick. Some aircraft fly with different nose attitudes depending on speeds, so trim is a way to deal with it. That and i would thinking holding forward stick for many hours would be very exhausting. Them again i suppose thats just another reason why not everyone is cut out for this work.

[@parkermorgan7934]

Any recommendations for a cheap helmet?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

If you're not a member of the Rookie I wanna be an ag pilot FB page I would join that and post an ad that you're looking. People will sell used ones on there and that's the route I'd go for my first one. That's what I did and ended up using it for the first 7 years of my career.

[@parkermorgan7934]

@@AgAviationAdventures Thanks!

[@warrenhuxtable9195]

Never to old better to die in plane than rest home!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

True!

[@Riverguide33]

👍

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching, Riverguide33.