When it comes to protecting the country's food supply and ensuring sufficient production, one crucial element in the process is crop dusting. If you've been looking for a way to contribute to the agricultural industry and you're thinking of becoming a crop duster pilot, there are some things that you should understand. Here are some things that you need to consider as you make your decision and pursue your new career as a crop duster pilot.
Crop Dusters Aren't Just For Pesticides
Crop dusting has a bit of a bad reputation because most people automatically associate it with spraying pesticides. While pesticide distribution is a crucial component of crop dusting activity, it's not the only thing that crop dusters apply.
In fact, crop dusters play a vital role in many aspects of farming and agricultural production. Not only do crop dusters apply pesticides to keep the crops from being overtaken by any type of bugs, but they also apply fungicides to protect fungi-sensitive crops as well as certain types of fertilizers and other crop treatments.
Crop Dusting Requires More Than Just Pilot Training
Naturally, there will be some comprehensive pilot training required to become a crop duster pilot, but that's not where your education will end. You will also receive extensive training in the operation of the duster itself and in safe handling of the materials that you distribute.
It takes skill, preparation, and thorough training to know when and how to release the agents that you're distributing with a crop duster because you need to take wind speeds and direction into account as well as the jet stream movement. All of these things will affect the direction that the release flows. Much of the process is digitized and computerized now, though, which can make it easier.
In addition, there may be safety and preparation protocols if you are applying pesticides or other chemicals, so you will receive training for that as well. This training encompasses both in-air considerations and ground-level preparation in an effort to ensure environmental safety.
You may find it beneficial to work for a local facility providing loading and preparation services while you're working toward your license because this gives you a clearer picture of the entire process and helps you understand the operation more completely.
If you're thinking about working as a crop duster pilot, these are important things to know. Reach out to a local company near you today about training, licensing, and getting started in your new career. A company like Hoppe Airspray can tell you more.