Is There a Demand for Ag Pilots?

[@robstanton9215]

I love y’all’s videos! You guys really make a great team!! I dreamed of being an ag pilot when I was much younger. Really ever since I was able to walk on our farm and my granddad’s farm near Spade Texas and the crop dusters would come alive doing my personal little air shows each year. I remember one pilot in particular flying a Piper Pawnee who would fly under a sagging power line that fed one of our electric wells instead of over it. At the lowest point of the wire his gear was spanking the tops of the feed crop and his vertical stab was inches from the wire, and when he would turn around to make another pass he would pull up between the power and phone lines running down both sides of the road that ran by our place. My dad thought he was crazy and I thought he was a hero! Of course the wisdom of a 5 year old boy won the day 😂. Growing up on a farm and later becoming a welder I certainly appreciate the long days and weeks y’all put in. Thank you for the wonderful content! Watching you guys work and fly always takes me back home to me earliest happy memories and of course more simple times. Please be safe you two!!! BTW, I never flew ag planes but I did eventually fly. I rode shotgun in a helicopter round-up gig right out of high school, and I flew gliders for a couple of years. Life got in the way but now in my late fifties I’m working on getting my private ticket and just flying light sport.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That’s awesome Rob! It sounds like you have lots of great memories. Really excited to hear you chasing the PPL.

[@jeffbailey7328]

What does a normal work schedule season look like? I understand you guys work from sun up 'til sun down and every possible good day but how long is that season? Is it like 4 to 6 months or longer? I understand Ag Pilots down south are working year round but is the majority of northern pilots only working for half the year? What kind of tasks are performed during the winter months? Are the winter months a kind of vacation period and how long is that if that is the case? (Or second job time in the winter?) What is it like to live on site? Do Ag Pilots move to the area they find work in? I see that you guys have a camper, do most Ag Pilots have campers and live on site and for how long. Or do you find other types of accommodations? Finally what are the nitty gritty details of living in a camper like how do you guys deal with gray water (I don't mean how to dump it I just mean where.), getting fresh water, and during a season do you guys travel to different sites while you find new jobs around the country? Sorry for the long comment but that's what I'm wondering as I continue working towards this industry.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Our season is 4 months and we take the rest of the year off and travel. Most places have hookups for a camper and if not you’ll have to figure out where to dump. Everyone does it differently (camper, apartment, house). Most I know of live where they work year around. Some wrench or drive truck. Just depends on what you’re looking for.

[@guystevenson7228]

Spot on!!!! Getting harder and harder to find the hard working adaptable people with common sense, it is not all flying scarves and goggles......

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Well said

[@sixwillwin]

Really good insight into the job. You guys totally nailed it.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks Rick.

[@haydennoles4742]

What you guys are saying is literally the same as what we see over here as well. Love the stuff you guys put out, keep it going 👍

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That’s a shame that you are having the same issue over there. Thanks for the comment.

[@capnpete1154]

What you said about finding pilots who don't want to work for their paycheck seems to be a common problem. I own a dog grooming biz and the last 3 0r 4 I've hired only want a paycheck and don't want to put the time and effort in to do a good job. I'm nearly 70 and can out work all of these cupcakes. I've had to downsize my biz to just the ones my one good groomer and I can handle because of this. All of my customers who also have their own biz echo this same sentiment. What has happened to this country?! I am thoroughly enjoying your videos and it is reassuring to see young entrepreneurs working hard and succeeding. Best of luck and BE SAFE!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching Capn Pete. Unfortunately I think it’s the new trend with people who just don’t want to work.

[@capnpete1154]

@@AgAviationAdventures I'm afraid you're oh so right. That is the beginning of the end for any civilization.

[@willjohnson211]

Love Citabrias, such a beautiful airplane. Sadly haven’t gotten to be pic in one yet.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

They are great!

[@shonrainey3946]

That’s always been my dream job, but at 47 years old I’m about 3 hours away from my PPL and my instructor passed away last weekend, also trying to get hours while owning a trucking company and always crappy weather

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about that.

[@Youtuber-o]

Pilot demands is changing now almost every year. Can you make a new video with updated information of the current real AG pilot demand in 2024-2025 and also she mentioned that some pilot complain ?, exactly what do they complain about would be important to know for all of us that are still learning about the industry. Min. 4:15 , a year on the ground?, I'm not sure if being a pilot you can really spend a whole year on the ground without flying if that what you meant when you said that. but i would appreciate some clarification. Im really thinking to about AG aviation because of being a seasonal job would give me more vacation time than any other job. Thank you...

[@AgAviationAdventures]

It honestly has not changed much in the last few years. There is a demand for good ag pilots who want to put in the work. Working on the ground for a year is pretty standard throughout the industry and we believe it is really important. There is so much to learn in regards to the application that is only truly learned by being on the ground. Plus it's important to know if you even like the industry (schedule, lifestyle, hours, etc) before you invest in the career choice and before someone invests in you (bringing you in as a new pilot). We had two guys working for us on the ground this year who wanted to be Ag Pilots. After about a month on the ground, they realized that they didn't want to pursue this industry. Also it should be noted that while you can have an off season because of this work, it is pretty common to not have any free time in the summer. We miss family events, etc. because we are on call most of the time. None of our work is really scheduled out. We could wake up with no work and be busy as all get out by the end of the day. Hope this helps!

[@Youtuber-o]

@@AgAviationAdventures Thank you so much for taking the time to explain. I am a 49 y/o pilot and have no kids so missing the holidays and summer would not affect me much. Im originally from Argentina and i could use the off season to go enjoy the summer in Argentina so that would work well for me. I will continue to look into it. Thank you again.

[@wagnercorrea8609]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 in the end, you have made me think that ag aviation in US is pretty similar we experience here in Brazil

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching Wagner!

[@sanchosegui]

Hi, guys! Do you know where I can get an AT502 AFM/POH? What do you say the best time of the year is to go look for a job in Illinois / Indiana?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

You should be able download it off their website. I would start looking for a job now.

[@isaacwingard4885]

Do ag pilots usually travel around during the season, or operate near a home field? Also if they do travel where do they stay?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

It depends on where you are working, some people don't travel at all. Usually you stay in a hotel or sometimes the operation has living quarters on site.

[@Keys879]

A 500hr Commercial Limited Pilot. I work three jobs, seven days a week, sun up to sun down. Grinding my pants off to build time. I want into this industry so bad. I don't mind hard work. I have no family and no anchors to keep me in one place. Holidays and weekends have become meaningless to me, but finding a good paying and meaningful career in Aviation is everything. The problem has been tail time, however I plan to load for this upcoming season. See you over the field!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That’s great! You’re doing it right.

[@donanderson3807]

Where. Are. The. Desiccated. Sunflowers?! Lol Love your videos. Joining the family this spring at 48yo. Arborist for 22, and ready for another amazing adventure.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That’s awesome Don! Where will you be working?

[@donanderson3807]

@@AgAviationAdventures My wife and I are in SC. I travel for trees now, so travel isn't a big deal for me. I wouldn't mind applying for gypsy moths and other arboricultyral applications as well. Also, Every trade is suffering from quality help. Work ethic is a lost art. I mean, it's generally a work season of long hours, not the entire year. 😂

[@brittanycato3748]

My husband has been in a commercial spreader for 6 years and he has been saying for the last 2 years he wants to get in the air but he's not sure how to get up there as we live in a small town and there's no ag pilots

[@paoramaher5614]

Move..

[@AgAviationAdventures]

You’ll have to move.

[@brittanycato3748]

@@AgAviationAdventures where or what does he have to do to get started on training

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I’ve addressed this in other videos if you take a look at “do you want to be an Ag pilot” as well as a few others.

[@jhaedtler]

Great Video, Thanks Kids!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@itswhatido1404]

This was very interesting! I just need to finish my commercial. I’m trying to find a school close to me here in Idaho.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That’s great! Keep it up.

[@nolacross704]

how do you find people to start this process

[@AgAviationAdventures]

You can attend your local convention as well as the national. I would also go and meet every applicator you can and introduce yourself.

[@pushing2throttles]

How can I contact you two. I'd like to have a further discussion about this video.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

You can send an email to [e-mail] if you’d like.

[@Chiefliner]

I’d like to add that the hard work ethic must be persistent throughout the season. Heading into the last couple weeks can be like scaling a cliff.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Oh that is so true!

[@christophermarques3654]

Does the US (in general) accept low hours pilots from Europe to train and do crop? (With a FAA CPL)

[@AgAviationAdventures]

The low hour part is the difficult thing. But there are jobs out there, just have to knock on lots of doors.

[@kaydanfehr8907]

Do you need to go to college to get into crop dusting

[@AgAviationAdventures]

No

[@kaydanfehr8907]

Oh sweet, we’ll that helps a lot thanks

[@davef.2811]

Don't give them any ideas, or that will be next.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

🤷🏽

[@ecossearthur]

Boom!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

🥳

[@cristiangonzalez761]

Thanks for the video!!! Guys a question, what its the most product (category or in general) sprayed in this bussines and can you see organics products? Regards.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

We spray a lot of chlorpyrifos during certain times of the season. I would love to spray more organic because it is typically sprayed more often and requires more treatments.

[@jacobhunt5469]

1:20 "want to work instead of complaining" big problem everywhere right now

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Very true

[@rogerrowland9887]

How do I find ag jobs and what’s the best way to apply and show initiative to get a look from a potential employer?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I would get on the "Rookie I want to be an ag pilot" Facebook page and look at Barnstormers as well as Ag AirUpdate. And attend state and national aerial applicator conventions.

[@rogerrowland9887]

@@AgAviationAdventures thanks for that I know this is an old video but I’m looking at going the ag route do you have any leads or special advice for the upcoming season that may differ from the last couple years?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

@@rogerrowland9887 No. I would look through some of the videos, all that advice still applies.

[@SchlenkAir]

Hi guys, I love your videos. Looking for a change and considering Ag aviation 30 years as a hard working commercial diving industry, I have my commercial and just hit a 1000 hrs. Here's the big problem, I'm 6'7" normally fly a 182 and 185. Is there an Ag plane I would fit in? Thank you!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yeah I don’t think you’d have much trouble fitting into different models. The cockpits are a lot bigger then a 182 and 185.

[@PeterPan1026]

Tyson, what kind of shades are those? Their MINT!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

They are the Flynn 50/50 by SPY! bit.ly/3r7GzeW

[@jacobmcclard5930]

Just discovered your channel, love the content. I’m a CFI with 600 hours from middle TN. I have just been offered a job as a chief flight instructor in a small startup flight school near me. However, I have always kinda wondered about being ag pilot, but never really put much thought into it. When you say that the schedule sucks I completely understand, but how many months of the year are you working. For me I would love to work like hell then have months off to do other projects back home. What are the hour/ certification requirements to be an ag pilot. What’s a reasonable pay for a first year agh pilot if I was to go this route.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Hey! Thanks for watching. Check out some of our other videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a53RlXtjnaangLs kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6jRd2yAnMx3otk kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ-pi4SMiMxqoZo

[@Joseph0862]

I’m graduating an aviation college in a year and I am considering doing this. Most guys become CFI’s to get their hours but that’s not really for me. Do you think it’s realistic that I could get a seat in ag aviation with around only 250-300 hours? I’m trying to find a place to work on the ground but before I work sun up to sundown for a whole season I want to make sure I can even get a seat later on! Also thank you for making these videos!!!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching. I had about 400 hours and it’s totally possible if you find the right operator. That’s the hard part.

[@Will-xm5mo]

Is that a super decathlon?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Now that you ask I can't remember if it was a super or not.

[@stevenplatero5669]

Do you guys hire people from other countries?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

We don’t do any hiring but I have heard of companies hiring from outside the US if they can’t find any help.

[@plane-fuzz]

Ain't gonna get much spraying done in that? (A fun day?)

[@AgAviationAdventures]

No doubt about that!

[@wolfman1662]

I haul rock for a living and I'm considering pursuing a career in this line of work. Would y'all consider me crazy for that?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Not at all.

[@jhaedtler]

Yep. May till first frost 7 days a week. Normally around mid November! Then the fun of working on the plane! I so miss this work! and I was just a wrench!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Haha very true!

[@kiwi6444]

There is a massive variation when it comes to Ag flying. I have meet pilots who have flown for 40 years and never flown under wires. I have meet pilots who fly under wires a 100 times a day. I have meet pilots who fly night spraying ops and have flown under wires 100 times on a pitch black night blowing 15 plus knots. Pilots who fly with little or no susceptible neighboring properties. Pilots who fly surrounded by susceptible properties. There is a massive variation when it comes to Ag flying. Full loads, partial loads, heavy and hot light and not, etc etc. Iv been there.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Those are all great points.

[@kiwi6444]

@@AgAviationAdventures They are real points. Keep up the good vids.

[@cropduster502]

You wrapped it up 20 miles too early. I like the insight on the need for ag pilots, but als was curious about your inspection (and how easy you did find the field ) ;-)

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Sorry!

[@jamesdehart5039]

There’s so much needs to be said here to all the people below me on this post obviously they have not seen all of your videos in the past especially about going to Agricultural aviation schools and the minimum amount of time required to get on insurance now ! I feel like I have my finger on the pulse of this business I have contacts from coast to coast in America and in Canada and I talk to those people often so maybe it’s time for me to make a video breaking this down for these people once and for all I’ve never made a video before but maybe it’s time because there’s a shit ton of information out there that needs to be shared this is a very hard business to get into now because of how many people are killed every year and the insurance requirements go’s up every single year ! These airplanes cost 1.5 to $2 million plus now and the amount of tail wheel time and turbine time you need to fly these airplanes is off the chart and very few operators have a piston powered ag plane to let you start in !! they Air Tractor 402 now is actually a beginners airplane that’s unbelievable to say out loud ! but that’s the world we’re living in now . yes there’s a ton of need for ag pilots and yes it’s true there were airplane setting with no pilots this year I know of a few myself but the problem is nobody can get qualified to get on the insurance to take those jobs because the minimum requirements are so high now you got to remember the average age of a crop duster in America now is 57 years old and there’s a reason for that! This is one dangerous business and these people on here do not have any clue of what that means !! They don’t know what they don’t know!! That’s not a put down to anybody reading this it’s just there is a lot to this especially in the skill and knowledge department and you need to love agriculture and actually care about what you’re doing to the crop you’re treating how good of a job you’re doing like Cali said enough said for now it’s great seeing you guys flying for fun you need to put Callie in the front seat!!😂👍🙏🇺🇸

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Well said James! Cally has said we need to do a video about how difficult this business is. We show the laid back easy side of it. It’s anything but that when it’s all said and done. I hope people read your comment and take it to heart.

[@excellenceinanimation960]

James I have a couple questions. Besides getting private and commercial license which I believe is about 200+ hours what else is required to get insured? I’m a 21 year old guy in turf school and wondering if this is a potential career. I know turf isn’t thought of as ag but it is just a non consumable crop. We use a bunch of pesticides and fert all that. Do you think it’s worth the money and time investment to check out this industry? How risky is it? I love airplanes but I’m not to keen on killing myself.

[@ackack612]

Blah blah blah blah blah.

[@andrewsims6118]

Hi Ag Aviation! I'm super interested in finding an entrance to the Ag Aviation/Aerial Firefighting industry. I am a military aviator (USAF Reserves) and will be living in the Minnesota area in starting late 2022. Do you know of any operators looking for loaders/pilots? I'm a member of NAAA and have looked around the MAAA website for opportunities. Do you recommend cold calling to operators? Thanks!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I would attend the NAAA convention at the beginning of December as well as visit every operator you can. Cold calling usually does not yield great results. Been there done that.

[@kiwi6444]

Like Iv said before, If you want to be an Ag pilot, then you need to be doing it for no other reason than doing it. If you ask what the money is or anything else along those lines, then do something else.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Definitely.

[@ackack612]

...indeed, why would anyone ask about money...how on earth would that play into the equation? Inane comment.

[@plane-fuzz]

Hard working pilots Like the saturday morning when the bulk fertilizer shows up without bulk But bags! Because they ran out of bulk.oh yes that is not a great day! (been there done that many times)

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Haha right!

[@bradybergen3837]

Everyone wants good AG pilots... that already have turbine time... that seems to be one of the biggest problems for guys trying to get into the industry right now 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@AgAviationAdventures]

True!

[@mk26n]

Hi Guys, I really like most of your videos but this one did not have a lot of useful new content. Audio quality was barely passable for my old ears. Keep flying safe, enjoy your time off.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I guess they all can’t be winners.

[@jerryhughes5380]

You 2 talk alot about being a "hard worker" and willing to work "sun up top sun down." Is this a safe flight practice? Why don't you offer split shifts so you can fill the demand for pilots instead of makinging is too difficult for the "average" pilot?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Most pilots don't want a split shift since that means only 1/2 the income.

[@jerryhughes5380]

@@AgAviationAdventures So pay the pilots more so they don’t crash the plane. Why do you think we have labor laws?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

@@jerryhughes5380 Margins are already slim, if you charged more per acre to pay the pilot more you will lose work as the grower will not be able to afford it.

[@alpenglow1235]

At 03:47, I think she's thinking, "Yup, sometimes this job sucks." Long days? Hard work? Inconsistent schedule? No whiners? Is that all you have to offer? Are you familiar with the phrase "Arbeit macht frei"? That is the message I'm getting from this escalating diatribe which kinda-sorta starts by saying there is definitely a need for ag pilots, but morphs into a de-motivational, my-way-or-the-hiway, control speech. A fool is a person lacking in judgment or prudence. If you want motivated and hard working fools, then hire felons. I like your videos, but not this one. As an employer, you are entitled to hire the best people you can hire.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching! We’re not employers and not hiring anyone. I’ve seen this time and again with not only the company we work for but also multiple other friends in the business. It’s a real problem for sure.

[@ackack612]

...hmmm...they talk a lot but don't really say much.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

🤷🏽