Crop Spraying

[U/S]

Hi All,
I know very little about crop spraying but was hoping someone could shed a little light on what's involved in this side of the industry. A friend of mine is going to purchase several Air Tractor 802 aircraft and has asked me for a little help as I am a pilot. I thought I'd throw it out there to get any advice or tips on how to get him up and running and what would be on the generous side of fair to pay the boys and girls in the seats. Thanks in advance

[North Shore]

?? Most people/companies that I know of who got into crop spraying were farmers first, and had a pilot's licence on the side. They then parlayed that into a crop-spraying business. Perhaps buy 'an' 802 first, just to test the water, and then, once things are up and running, buy 'several.'

[U/S]

I'm sure you are right. This situation is a little different though as they will be operated by a large company that will not be using them outside of their own business. Its all in its infancy and details are a little sketchy but I'm pretty confident he'll go ahead.

[Just Duckie]

As the usual progression to the 802 is through the 502, you will be trying to attract experienced pilots and the pay would/should be somewhere around $350 - $500 per day base and as much per hour for the pilot. $400/$400 is pretty standard.

[Adam Oke]

A good rule of thumb is 20% for pilots. I make between 17% and 30% depending on the company I work for. That scale is anything from C188, PA18, AT401 Turbine, and G-164's....so no 802 money. Transportation, room and board is all provided. Punching some rough numbers, those figures are about on par with Just Duckie's response.

I would hate to see the start up cost of 'several' 802's. I'm pretty sure an 802 runs for 3/4 to 1.5 million ... some not even spray ready. This is not including 4" everything, wells/storage to keep up, hangers, maintenance, OC, insurance, the list goes on. Good Luck!

[Cod Father]

Was half considering going to the USA to take an applicators course.

[Just Duckie]

Yeah those numbers were just a rough reference to the percentage system.
Some operators will pay more, or less depending on experience/time on the airplane and/or the contract. "I don't do crops but drank at mumerous Holiday Inns during the summer with pilots who do and that's what they told me."

The cash could be impressive (good year) but even though the hotel and expenses are paid for, you are a contractor, so look for the write-offs. The nice thing about $400/$400 (or what ever the final pay is) is the simplicity of the math...100 days and 100 hours (200 units x $400) = $80k.
I am sure that he/you would want to balance out the egg basket by doing fires, if that is an option, during the non spraying period.
Again, experience is what you are paying for and this is one airplane/potential sector of the business where money will get you what you are paying for....or not.

I believe that in order to get the Papal blessing from Air Tractor for spraying, you should have time in the 502.