Fletcher FU24 (ZK-DEQ) Aerial Topdressing.

Pilot, Murray Hargreaves and Loader Driver, Otto: Working In Northland, NZ.
M Hargreaves Limited: Northlands longest running fixed-wing operator.
MHL is a family run operation serving Northland and beyond. With over 50 years combined experience in the topdressing and farming industry. MHL provide a trusted and high quality service for your farm. SMS certified.
Contact: Company Manager, Marty Hargreaves: 021711551
Pilot, Murray Hargreaves: 0212815551 / 09-4318325
Visit: / mhargreavesltd

[@davec6518]

My God the sound of that Fletcher reminds me of my youth growing up on the farm in Otago.i loved watching that aircraft flying low over the hills and paddocks dropping super.

[@lauriejones3198]

I always loved the sound of the 720. Even if you finished the day with deafness and ringing in the ears. What always kept me honest was the constant awareness that if I stuffed up badly enough, the load would join me in the cockpit. Awesome aircraft though. Thanks for the footage and sound.

[@petertaylor2148]

This is great I was also a loader driver for Paul Beard.. he was a fantastic and a very safe pilot . He made me feel an important part of the operation.. which was the best thing for me as a young fella.. That sound of the engine , the smell and the grass fighting the thrust of the propeller.. ooh man it was bloody good !! Thanks for posting this !!

[@birdwing98]

You were his "life insurance." He might die if you overloaded his plane.

[@philipm7054]

I was an apprentice at PAC in 1988 when Murry purchased ZK-EMW. I had the job of helping sand it down prior to a repaint. The day he picked it up he did the best low pass I have ever seen. I then worked at Super Air with Murry and his son Marty , both really good fullas. Great to see Murry still flying.

[@martyhargreaves5334]

How you Phill? That photo is in the archives! Coming soon the our FB page. Where are you these days mate? That was back in the day before super air made him redundant with a restraint of trade and sent letters to all his clients saying he retired! And then kept sending layers letters after I stared up saying he was in breach of his restraint when they couldn't work out Murray from Marty in M Hargreaves! haha

[@duncanandrew7228]

That's some great footage there of such a great workhorse of an aeroplane. The sound of that Lycoming flat 8 just sounds awesome. Just an incredible machine to see working. My uncle flew a 400 Fletcher in Gisborne for James aviation for many years. Finally got a ride with him when the plane was sold to Andy Stevenson and he was doing some flying for him. Loud as buggery inside the cockpit as well. Cool ride tho.

[@cagorrie]

8 mins 17sec brings back some great memories of sitting just below the lip

[@andrearenner3696]

I remember working for Murray at Kaitaia airfield. Best wishes to you Murray. Mike R

[@sth50100]

Also agree Love the sound of that Lycoming flat 8

[@andysaunders3708]

What a sound! Even at idle. Flat 8. Nice

[@bryankincaid1912]

push the throttle home , all hell breaks loose

[@kurtbilinski1723]

Large chord wing for both high lift and low speed. Big-ass engine allows all sorts of antics, as long as it doesn't hiccup! Nice camera work, by the way!

[@skippmclovan1135]

Fantastic ! : ) . . what a way to spend the day earning your crust as they say ! : ) . . what could possibly be better than that with every day or two flying-off a different grass strip with differing terrain challenges under differing weather conditions . . that is the way to obtain an airman-ship mastery with the machine that few other pilots can ever hope to achieve... :))

[@IkethRacing]

what a great video

[@mills-rb8mf]

I like Fletcher so much, I've always wanted to fly him. But in our country we use An-2 for agricultural work. Unfortunately, to see Fletcher you have to go to New Zealand.

[@gerrykluck4995]

Nice to see!

[@geansouza9751]

Very good guy here in Brazil the agricultural planes soVery good guy here in Brazil the planes a agricla São totalmente diferente desses aí parabéns pelos São totalmente diferente desses aí parabéns pelos seelosThey are totally different from those there, congratulations for your work

[@scefexxxx]

My Heroes from a kid in rotorua till Now loved Watching thes Pilots Skill Unique in the world

[@douglaslloyd5777]

Man, a lotta wing on that thing! Amazing flying, but I keep wondering about an engine failure during that takeoff run...

[@T3mpestwulf617]

To think, top dressing used to be done with ex RNZAF Avengers, Tigermoths and DC-3's.

[@grantmiller6570]

Great old planes, their legacy is continued in the modern PAC750 these days.

[@marcjohnson4884]

no satnav ? awesome flying!

[@itzdilpickle3679]

living in wellington we don't get many Fletchers

[@iwitengahue6877]

Is that Murray McFarlane if so he used to top dress the farm my dad was a head Sheppard on in Turangi in the early 80s which was done by James aviation .

[@birdwing98]

I wonder if this pilot does his own engine maintenance like changing plugs and rebuilding magneto. He is betting his life on a reliable engine.

[@bryankincaid1912]

there arent the words , ( loader for DUH east bay/cape in mid 80 's .0

[@kurtbilinski1723]

What is "topdressing?" Insecticide or fertilizer I assume.

[@ariekoning9432]

Topdressing is dropping fertiliser from an airplane. New Zealand term for aerial application.

[@kingy002]

@@ariekoning9432 Does that look like a bloody liquid?