Spreading Cover Crop with an Air Tractor 502

Take a look at what goes into spreading cover crop. No, ag pilots don't only spray liquid products! Watch this video to hear why cover crop is important and what it's used for. For this particular video, Tyson is spreading a rye mix on corn with an Air Tractor 502.
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#agaviationadventures #cropdusting #agaviation

[@josephlockhart4783]

This has got to be one of the best crop-dusting videos of all times great overview of what's taking place..🤠

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Joseph Lockhart Appreciate the kind words Joseph and thanks for watching!

[@michaelmckinley4588]

most amazing behind the scenes on the tractor so far, thank you Captain.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@jonathanolsen7254]

This was a neat video that shows what it is like being a crop duster , Big thanks for this video..

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidrobins4025]

Thanks for the video and the great commentary on the job.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@gateway8833]

“I’m not flying low, I’m at 50 feet” Altitude is all relative.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Abby Babby Haha thanks for watching Abby.

[@kenhurley4441]

So at 54',,,, does the pilot get a nose bleed?

[@lukewarmwater6412]

whatch them put on afhalpha seed. they get real low .

[@robertzeurunkl8401]

B777 Capt: Watch me do an aileron roll right here... lol

[@stevenparker407]

You do a great job with these AG videos......great narrations! So much I didnt know about AG Ops....thank you for sharing Steve USAF/CAP Operations

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching Steve.

[@stephenhair5501]

Amazing video and talent. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe my friend. God Bless.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching.

[@wknoxfarms]

Hey your loading at my farm! had to take a good look to make sure i wasn't in the truck! Keep up the good work!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Haha thanks for watching Will!

[@kld5140]

Hello, I'm from Libya and Can you keep in touch with me on whatsApp [phone]

[@skipker]

I came across your channel and am totally amazed at how advanced crop dustings have become. I was involved in crop dusters in Northern California. Worked mostly with Agcats with 600hp P&W engines. Before turbines became norm. I started out flagging. Yes, we used to use flaggers. Started there, to loader trucks being trained to fly Ag planes, but sadly, California hit a terrible drought, which destroyed many farms, and the ag industry was petty much grounded for roughly 5 years. Unfortunately, i went to driving trucks. Always miss those days. That was back in the late 70s.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I’m glad you found the channel! Sounds like you have very cool memories of the industry.

[@skipker]

@AgAviationAdventures There are other channels, but i feel your format is the best. The advancement in ag planes is amazing. I mean, i worked with Stermans, N3N (both are trainers from WW1 days. ) The AgCats really was a joy to work with. Air Tractors and Thrush was becoming the new norm using 600 hp radial engine.

[@flymachine]

I love this channel really do. Thank you for redeeming YT for me.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for the nice comment! We appreciate you watching.

[@waltmooredanwilson8754]

Very informative and enjoyable video. Thanks for sharing. Take care and God Bless.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching.

[@BigWheelHawaii]

I Like This Kid,,,, Great Series,,,, We Had a Crop Dusting Busness When I Was a Kid.... Business Sure Has Changed,,,, But Still Plenty Dangerous,,,

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@jakevanderwall647]

I love it keep it up you’re doing like five different things all the same time and talking to the camera if I find that GoPro I’ll send it right back to you!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Haha thanks!

[@doycowzintexas1672]

great vid

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@colheitadeiras_tratores3153]

like from Brazil this plane is very good

[@AgAviationAdventures]

colheitadeiras _tratores Thanks for watching!

[@bohhica1]

Loved working on these things, engine changes from Montana,Colorado,New Mexico,Texas,Oklahoma,Ohio,Mississippi,Louisiana,Arkansas,Alabama, Stearman, Thrush, Air tractor, Ag Cat,maybe a couple of more, awesome, and miss it.,

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I bet that was fun!

[@farmerfuller87]

New to channel love it sure different to way things done in Lincolnshire uk 🇬🇧

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for joining! I love seeing all the different ways farming occurs around the globe.

[@liseid4857]

Great videos my friend, I have seen saveral videos and i like them

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thank you for watching Lis.

[@bienvenidoreynoso4912]

I really like this video! So informative in every level lol explaining shit while flying the airplane lol while spraying

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@bienvenidoreynoso4912]

Yeah, I just got my iPad and watching my first video on it, I’m a commercial pilot with a multi add on but I haven’t found a job and I was thinking about doing this like two years ago, I heard the pay is really good, I live in Miami.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Well we appreciate having you here

[@skipker]

I saw wires being snapped many times. Planes crash mostly on take-off under heavy loads as you well know. The AgCats at that time had a max gross hopper weight of 2000 lbs. I know your Air Tractor carries much more. What i love is how modern ag planes have become. Keep up the excellent videos. We used to hand prop the engines. I don't know if you worked with radial engines. They are a pain to warm up. Anyway I'm looking your past videos and really enjoy them. If Callie is creating them then kudos.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@JoshuaAnderson91]

Still going through and loving your vids! This reminded me, you mentioned having to avoid power lines, trees, and such. Do you ever have to worry about other obstacles such as birds or other traffic when you're spreading anything?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Joshua Anderson Thanks for taking the time to watch! I don’t worry too much about birds but Im constantly looking for other operators out spraying. There have been midair collisions and it’s good to always be vigilant in your turns to who is around.

[@cronk6879]

I wish I had some one to teach me how to fly AG. Looks like a good test of skills. Very cool.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching Cronk.

[@AwesomeProjects20]

Look up Eagles Vistas located in Inverness Florida. It’s an AG flight school.

[@sportbikerdude]

Awesome videos! Any worries about FOD entering the engine intake?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

There are a set of filters that air must pass through to get into the engine so it’s not much of a concern for us on this aircraft.

[@johnnyholland8765]

I can see the vortex off your wing through the window. Cool...

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yeah!

[@sailhavasu]

Like it! Keep me coming. Just started dual in a Stearman. Holy $h1t what a difference flying a larger taildragger!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@tsanger121]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. I definitely hit Like and Subscribe!!!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thank you!

[@steveshirk7035]

Gotta love hearing the stall horn

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yeah this one seems a little touchy.

[@mikes7717]

50’ in the air and the stall horns going off. No biggie 🤣

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Fascinating stuff. Honestly. And while we're asking people to return wayward GoPro cameras... if anyone finds the one I lost while surfing in Lake Michigan, give a holler.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

😂

[@cellnot]

Nice shot! How do you calibrate the opening system for the spreader to get the 14.5 lbs/ac? With the lever position only? thx

[@AgAviationAdventures]

At that rate I add golf balls to help slow it down. Transland also makes a device that works similarly just more expensive.

[@fishertrowbridge]

AG Aviation Adventures, what helmet do you use? starting my first of dusting this year in a pawnee 235-c and was wanting to get a good one.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Fisher Trowbridge I have an Evolution helmet with the Bose A20 installed. It’s expensive but I wore a Gentex I bought off eBay for my first 6 years. So I had saved some money and I’m very happy with this one.

[@fishertrowbridge]

Sweet i’ll look into it. Fly safe my friend

[@skipker]

I love the helmet

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thank you!

[@ShotInTheDark]

Hey, quick question. Would we be getting in your way standing nearby taking pictures while your crop spraying? I’d love to take pics but worried I’d be interfering with your work.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

If you’re not too close it’s not that big of a deal but a lot of times people want to stop on the road and on the edge of the field and that usually is a problem. I end of leaving the field until the person leaves. It can be an issue if the wind is blowing towards them.

[@tedf.5055]

The Air Tractor is an incredible creation, that evolved from a 1950s design.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Check out our tour of the factory if you have not already.

[@jonrogers8542]

Would wearing glasses be an issue if you’re trying to get into crop dusting? I might have to get my vision corrected to 20/20. And do you have any advice on what kind of glasses or even contacts you should get?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I wear contacts and use whatever my eye doctor recommends.

[@AD7ZJ]

I have seen the pumps under the wing to pump liquid out the sprayers, but how do you distribute seeds out of the hopper??

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Take a look at the spreader video that’s published.

[@kentwilliams4152]

Ahhh….so there is a stall warning going off. And, you are banking in the turn which I think raises the stall threshold and flying low. Yikes, how does that work? Is it because you load is light? Thanks.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

This particular aircraft has a touchy stall horn. But in general you are always near a stall when loaded, hot, and turning. It’s just part of it and something that needs to be managed.

[@rumingjiang69]

What are the differences in the aircraft setup for liquids and cover crop? Do you use the same compartment for both? Thanks

[@AgAviationAdventures]

It's the same hopper, but different equipment. Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4SkoZKnZ8llqM0 that explains the swap!

[@ahamay2012]

Imagine that announcement in an airliner...

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching.

[@shitmonkey]

when you have liquid do you feel it sloshing around shifting its weight

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Not so much. There are a couple baffles in the hopper to prevent it.

[@kevinlesch9656]

I have no desire to fly but curiosity got me wondering about the mechanism of the spreader. Have you covered that in another video?

[@kevinlesch9656]

Never mind I found it! Thanks!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Awesome thanks for watching!

[@carlhelquist2882]

It looks like you are in a different airplane than you used in your other videos. Do you have multiple airplanes?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

The company we work for has a few airplanes and the spreader was on this one already.

[@jamesriordan7]

I would imagine that broadcasting seed is a great way for a new pilot to break into ag flying? Get the hang of flying the light bar, turns, speed, start and stop points for the money handle, etc without the hazards of flying 5-10 feet AGL right off the bat?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yeah!

[@tommyb1959x]

Flying low is the only way to go if you want to feel like you're flying and not just sitting there. Field storming is my favorite. But flying two feet off the water racing a fast boat is right there with it

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Agreed!

[@lukewarmwater6412]

wow. way dirrerent than it was when I was loading in the 90's. the loader truck used to have a bucket. and we used grumman g-164's b's and c's mostly.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

The good ol days!

[@lukewarmwater6412]

@@AgAviationAdventures yep. av gas was still only 3 bucks a gallon!

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

@@lukewarmwater6412 Man I still have to do that, the pellets I use will break up in an auger so they have to be dropped from a bucket or dumped straight from the bag. Little tiny foil plastic 25lb bags. I made a nice bucket for a telehandler but the anxiety of holding 3000lbs over your airplane with a wobbly piece of machinery is REAL.

[@lukewarmwater6412]

@@Skinflaps_Meatslapper find an old loader truck and build a new one based on that design. they werent wobbly back in the day. jones flying service made their own and they made them stout.... the best truck on the line was#50 an old ford, like 1953 or something. it had a short nose and could get in with plenty of room to walk between the front bumper and the ailerons. the newer f-750 were a much tighter fit and I always felt like I was gonna bend the trim tabs.

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

@@lukewarmwater6412 Nah, I just need a bigger telehandler. Right now I'm walking a pretty fine line between weight and extension limits, but they've got bigger ones if you have a bigger wallet. If mine had some stabilizers I could lower then the weight issue wouldn't be a problem.

[@michaelbowen9826]

Where did you purchase your helmet from?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Michael Bowen I purchased it from evolutionhelmets.com.

[@dannyo3317]

I have always wondered. Would an Air Tractor or other similar Crop Dusting plane make a very good private plane if it was stripped of the unused "junk"?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Probably not. It’s quite expensive and only has one seat. I find it uncomfortable to ferry long distances.

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

Not an Air Tractor or Thrush. They don't really fly hands off for more than a few seconds before they're climbing or diving or banking or yawing bad enough that whatever you needed both hands for in the cockpit is next to impossible to do without correcting the plane with a nudge from your knee or a kick to the rudder. You'll never truly get them trimmed out, they're not the most stable aircraft for that sort of flying. Plus I doubt you'll get a decent one for less than $250K unless it's a radial, and that price range opens up a lot of better alternatives. The smaller planes, such as the Agcat, Cessna 188, Pawnee, and Fletcher might fit the bill better. I know for sure that many Agcats, 188's, and Pawnees have found homes outside of ag, some converted to two seats, some for banner or glider towing, and they use the Fletcher for skydiving. Just bear in mind that these aircraft were kind of built around a hopper, and taking it out would require a lot of fab work just to fill the gap left behind. Then you've got a bare bones aircraft with virtually no interior to speak of, little to no avionics or instruments that work, and the hassle of a high time aircraft to deal with. If you're into that kind of stuff, I'd recommend going with an Agcat. There was a company that made a two seat Agcat with a bubble canopy called the Toycat, another company put one on a set of floats for the 1996 movie "The Phantom", and a lot of others have modified them for two seats (some look fantastic, others look terrible). You have a lot of choices, a short wing A, the A+ with an extra 18", the B model with 36" more wing than the A, and finally the B+ with an extra 18" on top of that. Several fuel tank capacities to choose from, a slim center section with something like 36gal, a fat center section with 50 something, and from there you add 18gal tanks to the wing panels, up to six I believe. You have engine choices ranging from a 220HP radial to a 600HP radial and several sizes/mfg of turbine engines. You can get aileron spades, straight tail and tall tail conversions, big gear, raised wings, and most NACA cowlings from other radial aircraft will fit after a few small mods. For goofing around, I'd suggest a lightweight A model cat with a 220...the short wings give you a nice roll rate and the 220HP engine keeps the plane flying at the right speed for the controls to feel light and balanced, because that's what the original agcat was designed for. It's terrible for working, but without a load it's a sweet flying little plane, on par or better than a Waco, light years ahead of a stearman, and tougher than both combined. They even have a nice spot on the wing struts to carry extra passengers.

[@jimenglehart8284]

How do the smaller seeds not get blown away by the prop wash?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

They fall down while I’m flying forward and it’s really not a thing since the prop wash is staying close to the fuselage.

[@gregorybentley5707]

Is it safer to turn the prop off? Im just curious what's the advantage to leaving it on aside from time? If she were to fall from the wing a relatively simple fall would turn into a fatal one. Just curious and hope you're kind enough to answer and offer more insight, I dont do this for a living so I'm coming from a place of ignorance. Thank you.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching. Some of the maintenance items on these turbo prop motors correlate to how many engine starts it goes through. If you shut down each time that could be 15-50 starts a day which would be detrimental for maintenance purposes. It usually only takes about 3 minutes to load as well, so by the time it is shut off it would be time to start it again. With that said, the motor would be hot and would have a hard time not having a hot start (basically catastrophic to the engine).

[@BUXdavidbuxkemper]

What is your swath width when seeding?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

David Buxkemper It depends on how many pounds to the acre I’m putting out and what seed but in this video I think it was around 50’.

[@toadamine]

Can the same plane disperse both wet and dry loads? Or do you have to pick one or the other?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yes. You remove all the spray equipment from under the plane and attach what's called a spreader.

[@clayz1]

There must be a zillion little airstrips (agstrips) dotting the whole area down there. Wherever ‘there’ is. Sacramento or Modesto? Anywhere USA. (edits for spilling).

[@AgAviationAdventures]

There are tons. We are in northern Minnesota.

[@kevinbrown3017]

Are you using gps for accuracy?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yeah. Check out the gps video.

[@robertzeurunkl8401]

A number of times in this video, your left hand pulls something back, and is then pretty strongly snapped back forward. What's going on there? Examples: 3:47, 4:29, 5:13, and 5:55 (this one you can hear it snap back).

[@thezirons]

I think he is opening and closing the bulk hopper door to control when the seed is falling from the aircraft.

[@robertzeurunkl8401]

@@thezirons That would make sense. Thx.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yes that is opening and closing the hopper door.

[@goatsinker347]

Video needs some footage of what this cover crop looks like once it has sprouted, or grown.... Is it like that Chia pet stuff?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

You’re right! We’ve already left by the time that happens but I’ll have to get someone to take some video of it.

[@abdelouahedzouhari3445]

Hi friend, salutations for Mr jody bays

[@AgAviationAdventures]

hello!!

[@sophiasocal68]

An idea for your Go pro: epoxy a trackable tile to the outside of the case in case it flies off again. Tiles are pretty inexpensive and great for finding lost stuff!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I’m going to look into that thanks!

[@trijetdriver]

While making a steep turn, pointing downwards and saying leave a comment down below. :-) How is that for placement. 7:48

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Ha! Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@nocotton]

33 mile ferry on dry work?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Yeah but it’s at a very low rate. Not much different then spraying.

[@clex2005]

Nice. Be nice to view out the front of the plane at times. Just a suggestion.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

For sure John. Take a look at some of the other videos. We lost a camera for this video.

[@andypeterson8013]

Kali is cute.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Isn’t she though! 😍

[@rhymereason3449]

I'm amazed that little plane has that kind of pay load capacity... I was thinking about that from one of your other videos were you said you had 400 gals on board... that's over 3,500 lbs! How does that little plane create that kind of lift?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

It’s pretty incredible. The turbine engine has a lot of power behind it.

[@nevillecreativitymentor]

DDDDDuuuuudeeee! NICE

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching Neville.

[@daviddawson6456]

not worried about hitting power lines which is kind of nice. Damn I wanna do this! What does anyone here think about the school for this in Bainbridge GA?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

I've heard Battlesford in Saskatchewan, Canada is top notch. Also check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKrdppeMZq2HatU

[@tommybryan4237]

This cat likes to talk.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Tommy Bryan Thanks for watching Tommy! If you don't like the education part I don't talk in this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqPGiZisiJtgnpY

[@Darryl_Frost]

Ever get that camera back ?

[@AgAviationAdventures]

No!

[@jimmiller3486]

Pretty lady

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Jim Miller she’s the best! Thanks for watching Jim.

[@johnnyholland8765]

@@AgAviationAdventures I totally agree. Most help isn't as easy on the eyes....... Pretty lady indeed. Love them Air Tractors by the way. Best ag aircraft flying.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Johnny Holland Haha thanks for watching Johnny!

[@DWBurns]

Wow, 50 feet is high and every turn the stall warning horn is screaming. At 50 feet I better be over the fence and the stall warning stick shaker better not be heard but when the gear hits the center of the runway, asphalt or grooved concrete and at least 5,000 feet long. What is fast? It looks fun. Last time I did the driving lined up on the runway, pushed the throttles forward pushed the button and the plane did the rest.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Haha thanks for watching DW. For me fast is 150 mph, that's my normal spraying speed. I'd love to try that push button thing sometime!

[@db7152]

Why do you fly 30 mi to spread seed? $$ !

[@AgAviationAdventures]

We rarely spread and in this particular situation it was at a rate similar to doing 3 gallon work. I regularly fly 20-30 miles to spray.

[@StinkyTeal]

Needs just Cali in videos....

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Haha I agree!

[@ukritsawatdeenu5558]

Dusty Crophopper in real life.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

😂

[@clodoaldodonato6567]

AT-502.? !! it looks different.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Clodoaldo Donato Yeah it’s a 502

[@clodoaldodonato6567]

@@AgAviationAdventures I fly XP here in Brazil, and the hopper is diferent. Anyway... Good job thank,s..

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Clodoaldo Donato Thanks for watching!

[@brucemiller8109]

Sadly I worked with Ag Pilots 30+ years ago who's cabin was full of Dust from spraying. Now All have Cancer. The quick killers were power lines....the slow Cancer. AI Electric Aircraft will be in service by 2024 for 500Ac and Less.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

That doesn’t sound pleasant.

[@michaelmckinley4588]

i love you, can i borrow your airplane? i will bring it right back....

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Haha if you promise to bring it back in one piece.

[@user-rl7ph7bs3c]

Hello, my friend, he is from Iraq. He is a farmer and wants to work on your farm. Can you help me?❤

[@AgAviationAdventures]

We’re aerial applicators helping farmers.

[@user-rl7ph7bs3c]

@@AgAviationAdventures He does not want the money, but rather help in agriculture

[@zackriden79]

no cars weigh 2500 no more

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Our Volvo XC70 weighs 3,794 pounds. A Toyota Camry weighs 3,310 pounds.

[@toddgittins5692]

Everyone of these guys I've seen, have women working 4 them. Is this a pattern? HA!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Women are the best!

[@sreenivasareddyseelam2926]

Did you just flying and talking what is the use of this video??

[@AgAviationAdventures]

It’s meant to be informative.

[@Warbird-Aviation]

ice flying but absolutely useless! Good people dont need this kind of treatment!

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for watching.

[@MarkDeKruyter]

This is terrible; the poor girl has no inhalation protection; fine if you're young.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

There was very little dust coming off this seed and she is upwind of anything that was developing.

[@truescotsman4103]

the "music" has to go. can't watch this.

[@AgAviationAdventures]

Thanks for trying.