First off ive been a member here at AR for quite a while, but i don't post. I just keep my mouth shut and listen to those who know more than me.

Im 25 years old and im looking to become an Ag Pilot. I have no loggable flying hours what so ever. I've done some searching online, for help, but there isn't a whole lot of information on Ag Pilots.

Im currently look at going to flight school at Ag Flight Inc. in Bainbridge Georgia. I talked to them on the phone yesterday and it sounds like to kind of place im looking for.

So what im looking for is any kind of advice any of you can give me that will help me on my quest to fly crop dusters.

Please don't try to talk me out of it. I wont listen. This is definately what i want to do. I have always wanted to be a pilot, but flying for an airline or hauling cargo does not interest me at all.

thanks

Donald

Have you ever been to Alaska? If I had "discovered" Alaska when I was in my 20's, I would have gone there and never left.

I'm not trying to talk you out of ag flying, just suggesting that you take a look at Alaskan bush flying. It's likely the most challenging flying in the world, particularly in light singles.

There is an ag operator out there who is looking for a young guy like you. Go find him! Hang on to your dollars. You're gonna need them down the road.

Just as a matter of info, are you familar with View Jobs Posted Daily Online at: http://www.AirJobsDaily.com
This might be a good place to start the process. Also, before you slide over to the school and part with your shiekels, make sure and check to see what sort of placement assistance they offer post graduate.
And fianally, you owe it to yourself to take a trek up to Alaska and kick a round before you committ to anything. If I had gone there for the first time as a young man instead of a lot older than I like to admit [and now some 20 odd trips later!] I would have found someway to stay.
Good luck in what ever you decide.

quote:

I would have found someway to stay.

I second that!

That's three out of three reccommending Alaska. Beautiful beyond description, challenging and dangerous flying, only 14,000 miles of roads, 5000 miles paved, in a place that's 2/3 the size of the lower 48. Fantastic hunting and fishing and some really fine, self-sufficient people. Check it out.

I was at Billy's for 2.5 yrs. Started as an A&P then instructor and ran his spray buisness for 1.25 seasons. I had a great time at Ag Flight and got excellent experience in the shop. I stopped by this past winter to check things out and it look as good as ever. I talked to the primary inst and he seemed squared away. He said Jerry and Jake Miller (no relation to my knowledge) were teaching ag. I know Jake and he is a fine fellow and damn fine Ag inst. He has been doing this a loooong time!! I have only met Jerry once but I know he has been in the business for a loooong time as well. I would imagine either inst for ag will be as good as they get. I say go for it! Have fun! Dont screw around in the planes!!! As Billy once told a renegade friend of mine who got caught doing aerobatics, "this aint no loopty loop school!" If you want to do loopty loops go to an aerobatic school with aerobatic planes and aerboatic instructors, period! Get in the shop and learn as much as possible. You may want to consider getting an A&P. My A&P got my foot in the door , then get your IA and your resume really starts to look good! Stop by if your ever near Yazoo City. Good luck!

Oh, and dont rule out Alaska! I dream of doing that some day as well!

dwp,
I suspect that ag pilot is a speciality that is taught by the ag school. Before you can learn to be an ag pilot you will need your private and commercial licenses and an instrument would be nice to have, then on to ag school. You are looking at at least 100 hours of flying and in the neighborhood of $10,000 before you get to ag school if you opt for the instrument rating. My point is to shop around for a school where they use a 152 Cessna or something comparative to learn in purely from a cost standpoint. If you have to learn in an ag plane your cost to learn may double because they are not cheap to fly. Keep your options open because ag pilot isn't a year round occupation. You can do OK during cotten season but after that you may be looking for work. Alaska doesn't sound bad.

First thing to do is become a pilot, then become an ag pilot.

I'd suggest to first find a school and just use it to get a private pilot rating, then while you're doing that figure out where you want to go for your instrument and commercial tickets.

It may not be the same place!

Right off the bat make sure you can get a 2nd class medical, so that is out of the way.

You'll have several written exams to take, you can start studying for them now. When you pass one, the results are good for 24 months so you can start on the private one right away. There are a lot of self study programs out there, personally I like to recommend the Gleim series of study guides.

Anyway, work up to your commercial and CFI ratings and find a job that doesn't pay well (don't worry, they're all like that!) and get some hours under your belt. As others suggest, you might want to think seriously about Alaska. At that point, you'll have a better idea about where to approach the duster seats, or at least how it applies to you.

Whatever you choose, you have to get to first base. At 25, you have time, but don't waste it. It's going to be expensive and building time to qualify for the Commercial license will be difficult unless you're wealthy and can buy hours. Your ultimate goal is the ATP. In a way, I envy you starting out, but you have a difficult road ahead of you, and a lot of fun to be had traveling it. You'll see the world from a unique perspective, and it will change you forever.

Ag flight will take you from 0 time through private and limited commercial then Ag training. When I was there my students started in a Citabria and all their time was tailwheel except for the complex. Tailwheel time is valuable to the up and coming ag pilot. I recommend getting an instrument rating as well. I did mine in Panama City but Billy may offer it now, Im not sure??

first off, go find a copy of wolfgang langswies' "stick and rudder"... my instructor gave me a copy 30 yrs ago....if you're intererested i'll donate a set of "king" tapes.. they are vhs format tapes, but lots of worthwhile info... i've also got a private pilot syllabus, several books about flying.....pm me if you want the tapes and books..... best of luck in your choice of careers!!!!

First off i want to thank everyone for their advice.
As for Alaska. No i havnt been there yet. I had tickets to go back in 2003 but my unit got activated and i ended up in the middle east instead.

Mississippian is right. Billy does have small aircraft like the Citabria and a J-3 for the private pilot portion of the school.

As of right now he is not doing instrument, so i will have to go somewhere else for that later.

Getting an AP is also in my future. Thats what i will do in the off season. I do have a little aircraft maintence experience but not a lot. I spent 4 years working the electronic and environmental systems on the C-130.

When i talked to Billy on the phone he told me i can come on down and look around the school and they would take me up in the J-3 and show me what crop dusting is all about.

thanks again for the advice everyone.

DWP
If you do not have a commerical pilot license to start with, you are dreaming. I've been an ag pilot since 1967 and have run several ag schools. There are only a few today that I would recommend. I read the posts in response to your post and have to shake my head. WTF does Alaska have to do with ag work?
If you are serious, get your licenses in order and then come back and ask about ag schools. By that time there may be different schools to look at. As far as Bainbridge, I called there and was really disgusted at the responses. The blind leading the blind.
Good luck

Selwaykid

selwaykid, You must know Jake Miller, he is blind in one eye. If he goes to Ag flight he will obviously start working on his private and commercial before they begin ag training. The guys has to start somewhere! Also, he will met other students at the school that could someday provide him with a job. That is how I got my seat and have been here since 99. Oh, and Alaska flying and ag flying have its likenesses. They are both inherently unforgiving!

Donald

Here is a link to Flying Tigers Aviation in Rayville Louisiana.

I don't know where you are located. they my be a good option for you though. I don't think they offer lessons for "0" time pilots, not sure.

They do/did have a two hole ag cat and dual control turbo thrush.

Good luck and God Bless
Shawn