- 22
- 288 615
Valley Ag Pilot
United States
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 22 ธ.ค. 2011
I am a second year aerial applicator from the Red River Valley of North West Minnesota. There seems to be a serious disconnect between our aerial application industry the public, aviation, and even some areas of farming. That is what inspired me to start this channel. So hop in the Airtractor with me and I'll take you on a young ag pilot's journey of protecting crops from the air. My goal is to give my viewers a truthful and accurate representation of the ag aviation industry, showing that we go out of our way to protect the environment while providing crop care to help feed a growing population. This channel will cover day to day ag pilot operations (vlogs), aerial application practices, agricultural airplane systems, pilot to pilot discussion (pertains to all aspects of aviation), and ag aviation industry information. I will not be performing any dare devil stunts to produce more exciting content, trust me safe aerial application is an adrenaline experience in itself.
Ag Aviator Podcast #5 Peter Schellenberger
I get to talk with Peter Schellenberger an Ag pilot with 4 years in the business who hasn’t just worked in Ag but also timber, and aerial fire fighting. We talk about how and what got him to where he is today. This episode was recorded back on July 1st and at that point in the 2021 season we had seen a large amount of fatalities so we talk (from a young pilots perspective) about what we both do to keep our heads in the game and what distractions can potentially arise during the busy season. We share a few screw up stories and also Peter talks about an engine failure he had his first season. Peter is a great example of where a respectful and humble attitude can take someone in this industry, I appreciated having him on! Big thanks to our sponsor Amberican Designs! Go to the website ambericandesigns.com to see what custom Ag pilot products Travis has to offer!
มุมมอง: 922
วีดีโอ
Ag Aviator Podcast #6 Mentorship Roundtable
มุมมอง 7702 ปีที่แล้ว
In this episode we talk with George Parker, Mike Rutledge, and Matt Peed about their opinions and processes for mentoring aspiring Ag pilots in todays industry. We discuss what operators expect of individuals wanting to break into the industry and also what the aspiring ag pilot should expect of the operator. With the lack of piston airplanes and the poor return on investment of purchasing one,...
Ag Aviator Podcast #4 Michael Rutledge
มุมมอง 8463 ปีที่แล้ว
On this episode I have the privilege of speaking with former Navy SEAL and Special operations helicopter pilot, Michael Rutledge. Mike has been a passionate aviator his whole life and while actively serving in the military, he pursued a career as an Ag Aviator. After 30 years of service he is now running his own aerial application business. We discuss his military career and how his experiences...
Ag Aviator Podcast #3 Travis Amb from Amberican Designs
มุมมอง 5993 ปีที่แล้ว
Episode #3! I sit down with our podcast sponsor Travis Amb to talk about the products he's designed and selling on Ambericandesigns.com . We get to hear about his journey to becoming and Ag Pilot, than we discuss some screw ups we've both had in hopes someone else doesn't make the same mistake! Check out Travis's products at ambericandesigns.com You can also listen to the Ag Aviator Podcast on ...
Ag Aviator Podcast #2 Matt Peed Turbine Transitions and Quality Application
มุมมอง 2K3 ปีที่แล้ว
Matt Peed is a seasoned ag pilot form Georgia who is not only that but an instructor teaching the next generation of aerial applicators. We get to know a little bit about Matt and his background than dive into the turbine transition training he does with his duel control -34 Thrush. He covers why we do turbine transition training, gives an overview of his course, talks about some common mistake...
Ag Aviator Podcast #1 The World of Ag Aviation
มุมมอง 1.7K3 ปีที่แล้ว
Episode #1! My good friend Chad Peitz, a former Ag pilot who went rogue and now flies a Pilatus, sits down with me to introduce the podcast. We discuss the purpose and intentions of the Ag Aviator podcast and some things to consider while listening. We also talk about the aerial application industry in general, what licenses are required to apply by air, the "ag pilot shortage", and little bit ...
First 402 Flight
มุมมอง 45K4 ปีที่แล้ว
This was a very nerve racking and emotional flight for me but in the end made all the hard work worth it. I'm glad I could share this experience with you all. Please make sure to like, share, and subscribe. NAAA conventions is coming up soon, hope to see some of you there! Thanks for watching and god bless! Want to help improve the channel? Consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/valleyagpi...
Airtractor 502 Simulator Turbine Transition Part 2
มุมมอง 7K4 ปีที่แล้ว
Hop in the 502 sim with me and experience a few emergency scenarios the sim has to offer. Tom and I have a great debrief at the end that contains some great conversations we should all have. Also a little update on me and where I'm at in the world. Enjoy and ask questions! Want to help improve the channel? Consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/valleyagpilot
Airtractor 502 Simulator Turbine Transition Part 1
มุมมอง 19K4 ปีที่แล้ว
Here's day 1 and 2 from my 3 day turbine transition training in North Platte, Nebraska at the University of Nebraska Extension. On day 1 we focused on learning how to start the turbine engine, getting a feel for the 502, and walking through emergency scenarios. On day 2 we reinforced everything from day 1 and also flew into IMC, a very undesirable situation. After that we checked out the Pestic...
Want to earn an Ag Pilot seat? Here's 6 tips to help you get there!
มุมมอง 29K4 ปีที่แล้ว
If you're someone trying to earn a seat as an ag pilot these 6 tips are going to go a long ways for you. Getting a seat in this industry can be difficult but there's things you can do to make yourself stand out and show an operator you've got what it takes. This is all great advice given to me by my mentors or mistakes made and lessons learned. Let me know what you think in the comments. If the...
Ag Pilot Vlog#2 The learning curve
มุมมอง 33K5 ปีที่แล้ว
Today I'm dealing with exhaustion towards the tail end of a bug run, hopping roads, and trying to improve my efficiency safely. I break down the very basics of turning and gps usage for non pilots. The beauty of our job is we're always learning. There will always be a better way to do something and in this vlog I'm at the beginning of that journey trying to primarily stay safe but striving to d...
Ag Pilot Vlog #1 Bad Weather Beets
มุมมอง 16K5 ปีที่แล้ว
Follow along for a day in the life of an ag pilot in the Red River Valley. This is my first attempt at a vlog so hang in there I promise it gets better! Today Chad and I struggled to get some sugar beets sprayed due to low clouds and rain. It's a tough decision to make, growers need their crops sprayed but we have to stay safe and make sure our chemical doesn't get rained on after applying. Sta...
Cessna C188 Agtruck aerial application practice
มุมมอง 23K5 ปีที่แล้ว
First year as an Ag pilot is off to a good start! I've been able to get in about 35 hours of practice runs with water and now starting to put out some chemical. This is from the beginning of June while I was practicing with water out of Fisher, MN Want to help improve the channel? Consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/valleyagpilot
Togwotee 2018 Open Bowls Day 1!
มุมมอง 3395 ปีที่แล้ว
Finally got around to finishing the first day video. We were riding out of Togwotee Mountain Lodge and found some pretty nice open hill sides and bowls. Most the hillsides were south facing and starting to harden up a little bit but not terrible snow. Stick around for Day 2 when we find much better snow!
Togwotee 2018 short edit
มุมมอง 1755 ปีที่แล้ว
A little sneak peak into the insane riding we had in Togwotee this year. Three edits coming out shortly!
West Yellowstone, Montana backcountry riding 2015-16 season
มุมมอง 3.1K8 ปีที่แล้ว
West Yellowstone, Montana backcountry riding 2015-16 season
Saskatchewan 2015 Gopro Goose and Duck Hunt
มุมมอง 3408 ปีที่แล้ว
Saskatchewan 2015 Gopro Goose and Duck Hunt
Wrapping Silage Bales in Northwestern Minnesota
มุมมอง 3.2K9 ปีที่แล้ว
Wrapping Silage Bales in Northwestern Minnesota
Absolutely love this. Recently obtained my comm. multi. I would love to pursue this and eventually firefighting. I come from law enforcement so I love having the purpose these paths provide.
Really cool!
Well done Sir!!
You will go far young man!
Great podcast, love the vlogs too. Hope you start making content again, looking forward to it. Cheers from Canada
Is it ag truck or ag wagon?
I remember Cessna ag planes in the 1970s. I didn’t know any were still in use.
Great video, thank you for posting. You might want to wear a Nomex Suit and gloves when you are working
That air tractor sounds awesome it go’s for miles sprays awesome 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
not a air tractor
Wow!!!! You want to own a restaurant, go wash dishes and be a prep cook. Such great advice. Learn the business.
bro niceeee, what did all this cost?
Awesome!!🛩️🌾🌱
Would have preferred video without the unnecessary muzak
Voice over is fine. Why put added pressure on yourself trying to commentate live… Great video.
hi captain look great. Do you know of any fumigation company that can apply, I am an agricultural pilot from Ecuador, I fly the same C 188 aircraft.
Congrats!!
Happy to see the humility. That’s what makes good pilots. I’m thinking of doing this myself. Looks like a blast also looks risky and needing a cautious head on your shoulders. Thanks for posting this. Great vid. 🤙 Mike. KLZU
Great tips, thanks a lot and happy flights !!! Best regards from Uruguay 🇺🇾
Hi, how many loads and acres per hour can you manage with the C188?
On this youtube, I asked an Ag pilot if he gets tired and he declined. Wonder why there are often contrary experiences for the same job.
I had a Pawnee 😍 loved doing back and forth
Thank you for sharing & staying realistic & safe about sleep, Brother! Great stuff!
No requirement to use flaps doing your climbing turns if you fly a THRUSH AIRCRAFT 🤣
Is there any advice to you have for someone who wants to get into the industry?
Did you use flaps in the turns in a 188? If not would you think that it would’ve made a difference
I did use them on a couple occasions and they didn't seem to make a difference. I was told by other cessna pilots that they never used flaps and agree with them. Although flaps increase lift they also increase drag and in a loaded cessna I don't think the lift out weighs the drag. In an airtractor you use flaps to turn because they go so fast. Your turn radius at 140mph is higher than turn radius at 120mph so using the flaps in a lazy eight turn helps bring it around faster. In a cessna you don't have all that extra energy. Its like every piston airplane, overweight and underpowered.
@@valleyagpilot1283 thanks man looking to get my initial training in a ag truck next month then hop into a 400. Looking for all the advice I can get
hello sir are you open to share about how much money you earn per year? I am planning on becoming a crop duster but online all the salarys fluctuate. I know its not about the money but I would like to have a better understanding due to how expensive getting licenses and ratings can be. If you arent open about that I completly understand thank you
Cascade Aircraft Conversions - Check out some footage for our Air Tractor and Thrush Performance Upgrades. th-cam.com/video/oiCUKVidvzk/w-d-xo.html
Well done on your first flights on the turbine, it must be so hard to manage all the new engine parameters as well as flying a machine that handles so differently from what you are used to.
I always wanted to be a crop duster pilot. It seems it wasn’t meant to be. I’ve tried several times to work on my comercial but always something would happen that I couldn’t afford the training and now I have gotten too old. My heart and willingness are still in but unfortunately the years keep passing by. You are blessed to be doing what you love. I loved the first blog as an ag pilot. May God bless you with many years in this profession.
Nice first flight in the 402. A few years back I climbed out of the left seat of a 747 and into the 802 without aid of any instruction. It’s owner tossed me the little key and said “ you can check yourself out”. I could immediately tell that it was a horse of a different color and demanded thoughtful respect from the pilot. I wheel landed it at the start but then started three pointing it which seemed the better of the two. The Airtractor has a long waterline, narrow gear and of course that high aspect ratio wing that demands active directional control. Coordinated turns are a must. Really a lot like the Ag Wagon. I never worked it on a field, but I’ll bet it can do a ton of work in a day. I was an ag pilot following college and loved it. Lots of 15 hr days in rice. I’ve done it between airline jobs throughout my career. I’ve always considered myself an ag pilot first. Good luck. Looks like you’re off to a great start.
I’ve been flying since 1972, next year will be my last year , I would like to add one other tip, never stop asking questions. There are not any stupid questions only stupid mistake nobody knows everything, and if you are to proud to ask something,get out of the airplane you have no business been there
I just finished a 36 year career in aerospace manufacturing both commercial and military. I have built parts for most anything with wings including the space shuttle. I have never flown...
Good job.
Nice comments !!!
yo *stall warning* = good pilot
Great Story and video. And remember to practice 3 point landings . Eliminates any worry about prop strikes. Have fun.
Congratulations!!!!
Wow, deep respect seeing your attitude to learn continuously!
You killed that man you’re the Kyle Rittenhouse of the skies you did well, just always remember that the landing is nothing more than a controlled crash that’s what my dad always taught me, he used to laugh and say everyone you walk away from is a good one… Blue skies brother
And for you haters that are going to get on me about Kyle Rittenhouse you have no idea what it’s like being under pressure while being fired upon or when you know somebody is outright going to kill you in that very moment, sometimes landings and flight are the same feeling and you have to hold it together you have to be clean and concise and make good judgments in an instant… Just try blinking and making five decisions during that blink.. Yeah you’ll never know how to do it until you have to do it and sometimes that’s just flying lol
I wanted to fly the drama deer so bad it was unbelievable, but I had to get that first flight in the brave out of the way and I did everything of what you’re doing right now… Just relax and breathe and own everything that you do and your mind will change and make it repetitious and you will have good and safe flights almost every time…
Congratulations son many years of flying and always be careful God bless you
Do you think a 42 year old PPL can still work towards an Ag rating and meaningful work? It's been a lifelong dream but someone put me off of it and I listened like a dumbass instead of never giving up
Does he still fly ?
Living my dream bud - enjoy it
Who wants a crop dusted that sounds like a tire going flat
Albeit good advice, 5 of the 6 points are all good pointers for how to behave in this industry as a pilot and how to be a good pilot. The only thing I heard you say that addresses the title topic was if you want an ag seat, go load.
nobody can see your tail number so it doesn't really matter what you say lol. We are our own worst critics...good job even though this was 2 years ago lol
This is so cool
Great video
Are you loaded?