Low flying Ag plane - with commentary

We are in Central south island, New Zealand on topdressing ops.
I found us a great spot with some commanding views at the foothills of the Southern Alps. We go through a couple of loads watching an Air Tractor 502XP tackle the hillcountry spreading solid granulated fertiliser off a one-way 300m (1000ft) long airstrip.
Putting fertiliser on hillcountry helps the grass grow which has multiple benefits. The main ones being more food for stock and stronger root systems to combat hillside erosion. Several decades before topdressing was as common as it is now, the effects of lack-of-fertiliser were having serious effects on our countryside and economy.
This is a highly skilled job, and a very rewarding one at that!
The pilot known as "AK-47" is at the helm showing his professionalism as he expertly weaves his machine around the rugged hillcountry.
Enjoy!
Aircraft: Air Tractor 502XP
Rego: ZK-SXC
Location: Canterbury, New Zealand
Date: Feb 2022

[@ThePTChem]

That last approach put a big smile on my face. Love it!

[@ryancadwallader2049]

Awesome Jimbo! Thanks for doing these! Much appreciated and very much enjoyed!

[@thehairyleggedbikers.darre2510]

Well done Jimbo another great video and I agree too, I love the sound of the props doing the speed of sound especially in the hills.😃 Keep up the good work. 👍 Stay safe.

[@dillz7046]

Awesome videos Jimbo, , Keep them coming Mate!

[@Dan-mn8wb]

nice footage there👍 thank you for sharing

[@markmorren3718]

Good video Jimbo, i enjoy them alot. Seen quite a few of them now. Looks great fun, stay safe and happy landings ✈

[@JimboBurgess]

Cheers Mark

[@ZacYates]

Another fantastic, informative video Jimbo and how cool to see it from the ground for a change (as much as I enjoy your POV videos). It’s interesting to see the Air Tractor doesn’t settle with the load like you see on the Fletcher and Cresco: it just sits there and takes it! Thanks for another wonderful video. I always really enjoy each new one.

[@JimboBurgess]

Cheers Zak. Yes, the loader drivers have commented on how it's easier to load in that respect. The PACs would move one way or another- usually in the direction that causes the biggest spills 😆

[@iancurtis1152]

@@JimboBurgess would have something to do with undercarriage configuration and location of hopper also.

[@user-ok4ix7kg2w]

Nice video. Cheers

[@nathanwycoff4627]

Jimbo! Love to see a new video from you buddy :)

[@ShortField]

Thanks for sharing. Bit of a different view of dusting, usually we're in the cockpit. This area of NZ looks very much like parts of Wales on the English border. Cheers Jimbo.

[@faew1ld]

I would imagine flying pretty much anywhere in the South Island is unbeatable 🥰

[@JimboBurgess]

She's a beautiful place to be flying around 👌

[@markcrisp8279]

Jumbo. Awesome Awesome Awesome Would love to live in your world

[@jafa1402]

Nice

[@alaxus]

Well, that was entertaining.

[@thelocksmith4553]

First Edit: Loved the vid as always 😀✈️🚜

[@JimboBurgess]

Cheers!

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

Jimbo, that is a fantastic video thanks for posting. Do Ag Aircraft have Angle of Attack Indicators fitted? now days?

[@JimboBurgess]

Cheers. I have yet to fly one with an angle of attack indicator. Perhaps they may one day soon?

[@collinskirui1016]

That was a great video. How efficient is the automatic opening and closing of the doors? I have never seen that before.

[@JimboBurgess]

Cheers. They are very handy and accurate when setup correctly. I had never used them till a year ago 👍

[@ZdrytchX]

i cant unsee the staggered exhaust pipes :(

[@andrewnewman6451]

hey hey Jimbo as a tail dragger pilot I love these Air Tractors, when do we get to see you flying one?? or have I somehow missed that already ? love your videos keep up the good work, hello from the united kingdom :-)

[@JimboBurgess]

It's a coming! They're a pleasure to fly huh?! Keep you on your toes!

[@michaelblomfield1504]

Nicely filmed Jimbo. Is that Canon L series lens there?

[@JimboBurgess]

I've switched to Sony 👍

[@farmerfin275]

Great video again Jimbo, will the Air Tractor eventually replace the Fletchers and Crescos? Which do you prefer?

[@davidspeyers5740]

Great question, interested to hear his response.

[@JimboBurgess]

They're all very capable aircraft, and it's interesting to see how other operators use them. The Crescos and Fletcher's are the planes I grew up hearing and still love the sound of 👌

[@900443980]

Not sure how I ended up watching crop dusting videos on a Saturday but this was great. I'm not new to flying but I am not knowledgeable on crop dusting. When fertilizing a garden, yard, etc., there are settings on a spreader for how much comes out at a time. I assume it's the same here where you can control the flow rate, depending on what you're spreading? Is it an altitude adjustment? Speed?

[@JimboBurgess]

We have an adjustable door. This aircraft is hooked up to the GPS and adjusts its opening to match the groundspeed

[@900443980]

@Jimbo Burgess that's awesome. Thanks for answering.

[@konradbaines556]

Hi Jimbo great vid. Who is the pilot of the Air Tractor? A guy I know flies Ag stuff down Christchurch way.

[@JimboBurgess]

Kempy is at the helm. There are a few ATs operating down here 👍

[@drumsandstix128]

Do you get much fert dust on the front windscreen with the front hopper? Also do you prefer this aircraft over the turbo Fletcher? Enjoy your vlogs!

[@JimboBurgess]

None on the front windscreen, but the side perspex gets sandblasted a bit 😎

[@user-tk5oq8yb8j]

「あなたのコンテンツはとても感動的です」、

[@kennedyhenriquesantossanch8313]

Friend, in this video was taking off full?

[@cricri7066]

I think I saw this aircraft parked up at Rangiora airfield not long ago.

[@JimboBurgess]

That may've been its mate, ZK-SXO. Very similar to this, just a tad bigger 👍

[@cricri7066]

@@JimboBurgess they are impressive aircraft for sure!

[@LunarLithos]

Awesome video Jimbo what camera do you use ?

[@JimboBurgess]

Sony DSLR. They do a great job, esspecially in low light 👌

[@LunarLithos]

@@JimboBurgess Thanks for the reply mate Top Quality as always =)

[@camhuxford4065]

Hey mate, noticed they didn’t have a spreader fitted in this video. Is that based on what type of fert you’re dropping or something else?

[@JimboBurgess]

Yes that's it. The type of fert and the spread rate decides whether or not to use the spreader 👍

[@user-hx3me9et2r]

Hi Jimbo, are you looking for pilots ?

[@av8bvma513]

05:45 Is that called 'Painting it on'?

[@TheAnthonyDawson]

What video is A K 46 in?I was hoping to meet you at Mt white Station the other week but got your replacement.i brought the fert up to the bins.

[@JimboBurgess]

AK-47 is flying in this video 👍 Yes I hoping to get out to watch some flying there too. Beautiful country up there 👌

[@TheAnthonyDawson]

He told me he is A K 46 he turns 47 next year.so officially a weapon next year

[@JimboBurgess]

Haha, sounds like something he'd say too 😆

[@CFITOMAHAWK]

But.. On the take offs, why taking out the lift flaps while descending and need to turn at low speed too. I think that CFi of Emergency LowManeuvering is right when he points at that error.

[@JimboBurgess]

Very valid points, thanks for your input. I think I'll do a video about this, there's not enough interweb space for me to write it all down 😄

[@CFITOMAHAWK]

@@JimboBurgess Im an an old CFI, i find it contradictory that you need lift, take out the lift flaps, then to avoid stalling you push the nose down. If you leave the Lift Flaps on, then you dont have to push the nose down to avoid stalling. Looks like he is cutting the flaps JUST FOR FUN and to impress the cameraman with the push down.

[@tonystewart7287]

Does the windscreen get dirty with the fert loading in front of the cockpit?

[@JimboBurgess]

The front glass is fine, the perspex either side gets sandblasted over time. Needs a regular polish to keep her in shape 👍

[@rakamora2266]

Ever tried/considered flying gliders?

[@JimboBurgess]

I had a go as part of my tow rating many moons ago. That's a fantastic skill to be able to fly them 😎

[@anhminhtran9672]

Jimbo, cresco or air tractor?

[@JimboBurgess]

Yes 😉

[@markcrisp8279]

Just catching up on some of your videos again. Did the pilot know you were filming? May be unsafe or unprofessional, I didn't see a waggle of wings.

[@JimboBurgess]

No need for permission to video aircraft 😁 But this is a colleague of mine, I have a handheld radio so we are in constant coms and he is aware of my movemts. Cheers for all the kind messages 🍻

[@markcrisp8279]

Another watch .......

[@KingMason14]

Do you know Jamie

[@JimboBurgess]

Sure

[@outwiththem]

07:07 He needs lift, And he cut the lift flaps. Is that a pilot error or not? Many accidents by cutting the lift flaps too early. Former CFI and Bush pilot. Colombia.

[@southernsailor8296]

My guess would be he's better off reducing drag and pointing the nose down hill to gain air speed, just an opinion from a B22j Bantaroo pilot though..

[@outwiththem]

@@southernsailor8296 Those are Lift Flaps, not Drag Flaps. Take off flaps are that.. LIFT FLAPS due propeller lift effect on them..

[@southernsailor8296]

@@outwiththem I'm well aware there are flaps that can create lift. I've never flown this plane, but I've also never flown a plane that states VX or VY to be flown with ANY degree of flap on, but it does state the speed to he maintained. Hence why my argument here is to point the nose down to reach that speed as fast as possible, and while flaps are usefull in getting off the ground at a low speed, they will produce more drag than lift after a certain point. Plus, VFe. I suspect climbing speed is above VFe.

[@southernsailor8296]

But if Jimbo or someone else with time on these planes could chime in and correct either one of us, that would be awesome!

[@outwiththem]

@@southernsailor8296 Wrong. Vx require flaps on all but very weak engine small planes like the C150. But on C152 with the slightly bigger O-235, it requires 10 degrees of flaps for Vx.

[@gordongibson7137]

Jim, fabulous video work!! Excellent. A wet day here so a day off. Lol I was sitting here, a bit bored, wondering what I was gonna do for the afternoon. The alert came through about this new video on my phone, gawd I struck at it like a King Cobra. Fantastic, good luck to you.

[@JimboBurgess]

Haha cheers Gordon 👍