Aerial Applicators

[ArcticKat]

Then quote it in context, it's not even a threat. Heck, you didn't even record it as a quote from me...if I really wanted, I could say that you made the threat of sabotage. lol. Yer funny.

While we're at it:

I should at times try to see things as others see them and try to understand why they say things.

I don't function in the same mindset as you do System Message. I would never do anything so irresponsible, stupid, or illegal like damaging the aircraft and thereby put the pilot at risk. Also, I take accountability for what I post. You'll never see anything I post deleted by me.

I understand though, you have no idea what my character is like, so you can only act in response to what you know and what you would do if you were in my place. The fact that you even feel a need to record what I stated is a clear illustration of your paranoia. It explains quite a bit about you.

I've gotten the answers I sought, this thread no longer serves a purpose for me.

Thanks for your input everyone.

Edit:
My resolution was to buy the pilot a bottle of rum and discuss the situation over drinks. I believe we have a better mutual understanding.

[nacho]

Cat,

We mostly fly these days in a race track pattern, it's more efficient. But as the parallel you described, the starting edge would be determined by wind direction.(right or left turns are the choice of the pilot or the type of aircraft you fly, some turn better to one side due to sense of propeller rotation, i.e some-10 Garret powered Thrushes or even 502's in my experience they go better to the right)
This is a very difficult season for most AA, TC is not needed around to make things harder for anyone.

N

[nacho]

Cat,

We mostly fly these days in a race track pattern, it's more efficient. But as the parallel you described, the starting edge would be determined by wind direction.(right or left turns are the choice of the pilot or the type of aircraft you fly, some turn better to one side due to sense of propeller rotation, i.e some-10 Garret powered Thrushes or even 502's in my experience they go better to the right)
This is a very difficult season for most AA, TC is not needed around to make things harder for anyone.

N

[Finnegan]

This situation is unfortunate and there are valid arguments from both sides. Regulations are in place that limit the distance from built-up areas that aerial applicators can work. I've turned down 2 fields this season due to their proximity to developments and the ensuing problems it will cause. Our customers are encouraged to contact adjacent acreage owners to let them know what we will be doing and what we will be applying. A 'pissed-off' general public in this area will often call Environment directly and none of us want to go there.
Some people find this industry offensive and, to a point, they have every right to feel that way. Some people also watch the circus on tv (complete with clowns) and believe that this represents our industry. We run our turbines at relatively low rpm in order to reduce noise level because we work in an area that is littered with acreages. Some of these landowners have moved out of the city to live on their slice of heaven and become very upset when we disturb their Utopia. As much as this is annoying, it's reality and we try to respect that too.
In some cases we are also operating at much higher risk in order to reduce disturbance to the public, but the public doesn't recognize this, nor do they care.

However - flying low level over town is irresponsible and unnecessary. The reason I say unnecessary is because, if it's necessary to work over town in this manner, then the solution is to refuse the job. If the farmer threatens to have the competition do it - have at it. Let him deal with the complaints and authorities.
This industry has changed since I started in 1976, along with public perception. It's hard enough to promote professionalism without some jackasses on TV doing their level best to paint us all like a bunch of barnstorming cowboys.

[SuperchargedRS]

Is ArcticKat a pilot?

I couldn't imagine him being in the industry since he seems to be so quick to cry to TC about one of his fellow pilots (who I can just about guarantee works a much harder job them he).

Also how did he figure the AG plane altitude? laser range finder, level and pythagoras theorem???