How does one get into dusting? WHat licenses and endorsements are required in the U.S.?

Private, Limited Commercial (no instument needed),Most always need a tailwheel endorsement,337 sign off (no big deal), 2nd class medical, certified in state that you will be working(contact that states Bureau of Plant industry for info). Unless you have lots of money or know someone who can get you in its like anything else, start at the bottom and work up. Are you interested?

Actually, Yes. Always been a dream of mine, and some Safer than driving a truck for a living. Much more constant, too. Just don't know if I still have the Nerve, lol.

I could be in a smoking crater tomorrow but I feel much safer in my Thrush than driving through Jackson in my GMC! And I have drove a big rig a little on a farm, I couldnt imagine piloting that thing through rush hour traffic in a big city with bad weather!!!

I like to do it in the Grocery store or Mall. No applications or licenses are needed, and I assure you I don't have my wife's endorsement. Just make sure that it'll be of the silent but deadly variety, or the crops will leave before your application has time to take effect.

LOL at Daniel! Yeah, I haven't felt Safe in ANY car or pickup since I began driving trucks in '89. Those people are ALL homicidal psychopaths! Remember, I CAN look down in there and see what they're doing, and it'll make your anus slam shut, some of the things I see! They're doing everything in the World EXCEPT Driving!.
I've always heard that nobody has yet been killed in an Ag-Cat crash. Is that true? I find it hard to believe, but as an ex-Navy Aircraft Structure Mech, I have ULTIMATE Confidence in ANYTHING built by the Iron Works, so I tend to believe such Aviation Legends.
KY Jim

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I've always heard that nobody has yet been killed in an Ag-Cat crash

Im afraid that is legend however, I have been to several Agcat crashes that looked real bad and the pilot walked away. They are very survivible. A friend here at Yazoo, the guy I bought the Pitts from, just bought a Turbine powered cat to use in his business. I have flown several radial powered cats but not a turbine, that would be a butt load of fun! They are cool looking as well!

Yeah, I like the Ag-Cats. Hey, have you checked out www.Musclebiplanes.com yet? Neat site, especially for aerobatics pilots.

they've updated to The Muscle Biplane Organization.

No, checking it out now....

Dos'nt look like a lot of ratings needed for this but is there any money in it.

I pulled the hopper door off my A model cub years ago but if it would give me off season work it would be worth putting it back on.

I think it would be better yet to buy another plane for this so now I really have to ask is it worth it.

What kind of spraying do they do these days. Seems even if a guy only made a little money at it you sure would get to know a lot of Farmers and potentully some invites for hunting.

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Dos'nt look like a lot of ratings needed for this

The flying is the easy part of this job.

quote:

is there any money in it.

I had a friend quit Pinnacle after a year in an RJ to go fly a AT301 (350 gal 600 hp radial air tractor, not the most productive airplane available) As a Rookie ag pilot he grossed 50K in 2 months. He was happy.

Another mutual friend grossed 82K in 2 months in an AT 400 (400 gal turbine). He was happy as well!

They were both on a fungicide run in the corn belt.

I have been with my employer since 99 and plan to retire here. Its hard work and very long hours at times but I couldnt imagine doing any thing else.

A large amount of the work on Cotton, beans and rice (and Im sure many other crops, these are the ones most present in the south that Im familiar with) show the results so it has to be right. Lots of herbicide and fertilizer, so if you miss a spot, dont hold your line or product mix is off they will know. Also, off target drift is a MAJOR concern. Herbicide drift can wreck an adjacent crop, garden,yard etc and cost an ass load of money! Several major claims and you may be unable to get insurance (which is required to operate).

Leave the hopper door off of your cub! Its not productive enough to do anything noteworthy unless you just want to play around. If so, be sure and follow all the rules/regs and read the product label of which you are applying!