Ohio crop duster Butch Fisher of Fisher Ag Service gives a real-time view of aerial application. Ohio Ag Net's Joel Penhorwood joins him in the cockpit.
In 1963 one of my fellow Air Force mechanics was putting time in his logbook flying at the Aero Club at Bitburg AFB, Germany. I rode along with him in a Cessna 120 one day and he introduced me to some aerobatics. I was new to flying and did not know enough to be leery of doing aerobatics in an old, rag-wing aircraft. We also frightened some farmers in their fields by flying at crop duster altitudes. Larry was in a hurry to finish his enlistment and go back to the States to find a crop dusting job. Years later, I got curious and looked his name up in the FAA Airman's data base. I could find no accident information, but he was listed as deceased at a young age. I assume he died dusting.
Butch was my first instructor almost 30 years ago... Later on flew bush planes in Alaska for a while. If you have the urge to fly, just go out and take one lesson - It could change your life!
I'm 55 years old, have terrible attention deficit disorder and while I'm a teetotaler when it comes to alcohol my favorite way to relax is with a marijuana cookie So yeah I think a flying lesson might change my life but not in a good way. LOL.
wdreeves When I started flagging many years ago it was for the old bi-wing Steermans. I'll never forget when we got our first Ag cat turbo props, it was time to step up our games, mind you, a lot of times we were dodging Water moccasins and Copperheads!
Wow! I have been a pilot for many years and still this video showed me a part of flying I passed up in my younger years. I grew up in Louisiana watching these planes when I was a kid. I wanted to be a pilot from the start and my first instructor was a crop dusting pilot. I am glad I went military when I finished college instead of crop dusting. Why? Well my first instructor was only 7 years older than me and he died from the many dusting materials he sprayed. It got into his blood even with mask and chemical gear on. He flew Ag Cats and later Ag wagons but in the end the chemicals killed him. I do miss him and watching the crop dusters back home spraying the fields. I fly a desk now days for a large Telecom company, but I still have happy memories every time I see a duster pilot hard at work.
@@kevinramirez538 That was a comment on my full time job for 23 years now. I flew northeast airshow ckt for 12 years but decided to hang it up after to many of my friends went in. I guess the one that made me finally hang it up was when Chris went in with his beast. I have heard of many having lost their rudder cables i.e. Chris, Sean T. etc....but this was one to many. I have enjoyed 50+ years of flying but I finally just hung it up entirely a few days after closing one of my favorite weekend airstrips down. Just to many memories of friends that are gone just loaded up on me one day and I called it quits and threw the wings on the desk and burned my flight jacket.
@@batfirewaf123 thanks for your reply and sorry to hear about your friends. I’m wanting to get into flying but honestly only for financial reasons. It sounds like a way to make a lot of money in a shorter time then most other trades while doing something amazing like flying the skies. I’m scared just thinking about messing up something while I’m 200 Ft above. I’m a truck driver currently but that’s a tough lifestyle to stay in for much longer. I’m worried flying is mainly for adrenaline junkies lol
The house where I grew up had a Highway and power lines in front of it. And in front of that was a super large corn field. Every year the crop dusters would be flying low straight at our house and those power lines, and then flying straight up right before they reached the power lines. Made it hard to sleep late. It never ceased to be amazing.
I used to love watching crop dusters in Mississippi when I was a kid. I always wanted to have one spray our fields, but no I had to do it with the tractor.
I was working for a crop duster when I was 16. That was 1946. He took me for a ride in the dust bin (formerly the forward cockpit of that PT 17 US Army Air Corps primary trainer) I was thrilled, and I cannot imagine any 16 year old boy passing up such an opportunity
My Dad was crop dusting, literally, in a Stinson L5, way back in 1945. He flew the Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo Counties. He flew for 50 yrs. Never ‘dinged ‘ a wing. I’m extremely proud of my Dad .FYI His Grandson found your videos, & sent me your links. Thx for a Proud family Ted Simon Dusters
What a cool video. It is amazing how a professional can make something so difficult to do appear seem so easy. As a sidenote, I had a good friend who was a crop duster who sustained severe back injuries while spraying a field. He eventually made it back into flying but gave up crop "dusting". Nice video!
I used to watch the crop dusters & sprayers back in the fifties. They flew old Stearman biplanes, and some seemed to take chances. Yeah, they sometimes crashed. I remember seeing some fly under power lines and once I saw a Stearman fly directly toward a row of Eucalyptus trees, 120 feet tall. Maybe he thought it wasn't such a good idea because he changed his pattern. I was pleasantly surprised by the guidance & coverage system in this video. That is a GREAT idea. But it's still a dangerous job.
Man, you gotta have steel balls and a 4 axis gimbal for that job. I lost a great uncle crop dusting near Lubbock, TX in early 50's in a J3-Cub - just 8 years after completing 53 combat missions flying a B-25 out of Corsica. The irony. Anyway, excellent video .......... really enjoyed the thrill !
I live in agriculture area California central valley see them all the time amazing when they do it at night and have to avoid power lines and trees in the dark much respect to the pilots who do this absolutely focused
A crop duster was doing it's work on the local fields a couple days ago. It was fun watching the precision flying. I wondered what was involved in that type of flying. This video answered some of my questions. It was fascinating! BTW. I noticed that the turning rate instrument was turned off. I guess that instrument is irrelevant with that type of flying. lol No standard rate turns used in making of this video! lol
I saw one of these in Idaho AT NIGHT. He must have memorized positions of trees and wires which I saw driving by the next morning . awesom they have gps that paints areas that have been sprayed. Makes you wonder if you could do this blind folded.
Could be he was spraying pesticides and was working "Bee Hours" so as not to harm the bees. A lot of people don't realize the precautions these guys take. :)
Great respect for the skills of this ag pilot,those trees look mighty close,a big aeroplane to haul around like that low level too,that GPS technology works very well,remember the old lines men standing with a flag at the end of the field,most dies of cancer from the dangerous chemicals.
Awesome, side by side, what a privilege! The PIC calmly says (after several passes with stall warning screaming out), "That little shake is the stall". Thats called pre-stall, buffet, at that stage with a wing down, usually the left wing, most aircraft would be seconds away from a pancake or spin into the deck! Most pilots would initiate stall recovery, Eg, if height permits, stick forward, then power on max RPM, recover to the climb! And rightly so. He carries on flying towards the ground, either amazing knowledge of aircraft, load, conditions, amazing skill or........???
I enjoyed this video thanks for sharing this it. I have footage from the ground from our local guy spraying the fields we have. One year they brought a little helicopter to fly the fungicide on that was pretty neat.
Growing up in central Ohio I’ve seen this a lot. It may not be the same plane but how many yellow crop dusters are there in central Ohio…? One flying over my house currently. It looks like it’s be BLAST to ride along on that thing
Excellent vid ! That must require so much concentration to avoid deadly mistakes...guess you're a little tired after first day at the job ! This seems so easy to you...
Interesting video. One thing I noticed is the turn and bank indicator wasn't working. Could be a real problem if the pilot wound up in inadvertent IFR conditions.
You might think this would be A boring video!!?? But I watch the whole thing! Very interesting. Just one thing?? Wish you had more camera! Also one on the ground to watch a few passes. Maybe one in the field. But for a single camera! Nice job and good audio!!
So this is what glider tow planes do when they're not towing. Nice flying and a good commentary, thanks. Take up flying sailplanes and you'll fit right in.
I always wondered why they do a little side-step jink just as they are about to drop down for a pass. I understand now they are lining up perfectly for the pass using that light bar.
You use a touch of flaps on "every" turn? Watch those roller bearings. My best was a Turbine Dromedar 1400 shp Lycoming. It'd take anything you'd care to throw in it.....liquid fertilizer excluded. Flew like a dream. Take care - down there!
This seems like a very rewarding career but I feel it is only a mater of time before drones take over crop dusting. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Why do power lines cause crashes? You’d think with as powerful and fast as you are going, the power line would snap like a string with little resistance.
Ohhh a computer. I did this back in the late 80's in a bi-plane. I use to go to the field first to check it out and look for landmarks around the field I could spot from the air, then put a yellow flag next to it so I could see it from the air. I then followed the road until I saw the landmark and looked for my yellow flag. I know some people use to signal where to line up next, but I was always good at lining up with the trees or something in the distance. This plane seems to fly faster though. I was trying to see the speed because the stall warning was going off. My stall warning was the plane shimmy lol.
An amazing flight!! Would you mind If I used a section of your video for a video I'm making about crops, it's non commercial video I'm making for a laugh and I'd credit you in the description, but no worries if not, thanks!
Are there manoeuvring limitations for the 2 seat side by side? Seems to turn and climb pretty much like the single seats? I also asked on another AT vid about the flaps, are they fully manual ie operated by the pilot or is there some sort of automation because it seems to me the workload is very high in manoeuvres, working a lever to manage flaps would be impressive as hek but I wonder why not automate it like the fighters?
Flaps are manual, but they are electric. The Air Tractors I flew all had a second actuator switch on the stick, so no need to reach for the flap switch.
In 1963 one of my fellow Air Force mechanics was putting time in his logbook flying at the Aero Club at Bitburg AFB, Germany. I rode along with him in a Cessna 120 one day and he introduced me to some aerobatics. I was new to flying and did not know enough to be leery of doing aerobatics in an old, rag-wing aircraft. We also frightened some farmers in their fields by flying at crop duster altitudes. Larry was in a hurry to finish his enlistment and go back to the States to find a crop dusting job. Years later, I got curious and looked his name up in the FAA Airman's data base. I could find no accident information, but he was listed as deceased at a young age. I assume he died dusting.
"There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. But there are no old bold pilots"
Great video, loved his calm demeanor, “yeah that’s the stall horn which means we are flying a little slow”. Love it.
Butch was my first instructor almost 30 years ago... Later on flew bush planes in Alaska for a while. If you have the urge to fly, just go out and take one lesson - It could change your life!
It could also change your bank balance.
I took 1 lesson it was fun as hell but i couldnt afford to keep going ,its for the rich
@@johnnyd655 but if you were with Butch, he was very reasonable.
johnny d Not just for the rich.
I'm 55 years old, have terrible attention deficit disorder and while I'm a teetotaler when it comes to alcohol my favorite way to relax is with a marijuana cookie So yeah I think a flying lesson might change my life but not in a good way. LOL.
Not a bad way to earn a paycheck! Very cool vid! 👍🏼
steveo1kinevo stevo,,I've watched every one of your vids,,love flying,,not a pilot,,just just love it,,,you need dirty bird more often
A lot of us think that what you do if also a very cool way to earn a paycheck. I'm looking forward to YOUR next video.
No kidding? Does the driver really get paid doing this? Ag-Cats are fun machines, I just don't see too many sidexside seats. Super vid, thks.
Rosalie great eats cafe
A fortuitous appearance by Steve-0
Very interesting! That guidance technology is amazing.
Jim Austin Not really it's pretty basic
Quite different alignment system than when I flagged for a duster 43 years ago!
wdreeves When I started flagging many years ago it was for the old bi-wing Steermans. I'll never forget when we got our first Ag cat turbo props, it was time to step up our games, mind you, a lot of times we were dodging Water moccasins and Copperheads!
@@wdreeves scary!
@@Swoop180 omg
Excellent video. Very smooth camera work and a lot of explanation by the pilot. Very cool.
Butch is one of the best, if not the nation's best crop-duster.
A year ago I watched a crop duster in an open cockpit plane here in Preble County. It was a wonderful display of flying skills in a gorgeous aircraft.
Wow! I have been a pilot for many years and still this video showed me a part of flying I passed up in my younger years. I grew up in Louisiana watching these planes when I was a kid. I wanted to be a pilot from the start and my first instructor was a crop dusting pilot. I am glad I went military when I finished college instead of crop dusting. Why? Well my first instructor was only 7 years older than me and he died from the many dusting materials he sprayed. It got into his blood even with mask and chemical gear on. He flew Ag Cats and later Ag wagons but in the end the chemicals killed him. I do miss him and watching the crop dusters back home spraying the fields. I fly a desk now days for a large Telecom company, but I still have happy memories every time I see a duster pilot hard at work.
Why the switch to a desk?? If you could be flying isn’t that more exciting?
@@kevinramirez538 That was a comment on my full time job for 23 years now. I flew northeast airshow ckt for 12 years but decided to hang it up after to many of my friends went in. I guess the one that made me finally hang it up was when Chris went in with his beast. I have heard of many having lost their rudder cables i.e. Chris, Sean T. etc....but this was one to many. I have enjoyed 50+ years of flying but I finally just hung it up entirely a few days after closing one of my favorite weekend airstrips down. Just to many memories of friends that are gone just loaded up on me one day and I called it quits and threw the wings on the desk and burned my flight jacket.
@@batfirewaf123 thanks for your reply and sorry to hear about your friends. I’m wanting to get into flying but honestly only for financial reasons. It sounds like a way to make a lot of money in a shorter time then most other trades while doing something amazing like flying the skies. I’m scared just thinking about messing up something while I’m 200 Ft above. I’m a truck driver currently but that’s a tough lifestyle to stay in for much longer. I’m worried flying is mainly for adrenaline junkies lol
The house where I grew up had a Highway and power lines in front of it. And in front of that was a super large corn field. Every year the crop dusters would be flying low straight at our house and those power lines, and then flying straight up right before they reached the power lines. Made it hard to sleep late. It never ceased to be amazing.
I used to love watching crop dusters in Mississippi when I was a kid. I always wanted to have one spray our fields, but no I had to do it with the tractor.
My dad sprayed up in the Delta for many years. 72 to about 80, 81.
I was working for a crop duster when I was 16. That was 1946. He took me for a ride in the dust bin (formerly the forward cockpit of that PT 17 US Army Air Corps primary trainer) I was thrilled, and I cannot imagine any 16 year old boy passing up such an opportunity
I love that the pilot kept telling us what he was doing! So much better knowing what he was thinking doing!
I do that too th-cam.com/channels/KyJNEhD4neXyFGknHRMdCw.html?view_as=subscriber
My Dad was crop dusting, literally, in a Stinson L5, way back in 1945. He flew the Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo Counties. He flew for 50 yrs. Never ‘dinged ‘ a wing. I’m extremely proud of my Dad .FYI His Grandson found your videos, & sent me your links. Thx for a Proud family Ted Simon Dusters
@@Patty285 awesome story. They were called The Greatest Generation for a reason :)
tree 1,2,3
What a cool video. It is amazing how a professional can make something so difficult to do appear seem so easy. As a sidenote, I had a good friend who was a crop duster who sustained severe back injuries while spraying a field. He eventually made it back into flying but gave up crop "dusting". Nice video!
One of the best aviation vids ever witnessed here, and exceptional professionalism.
I used to watch the crop dusters & sprayers back in the fifties. They flew old Stearman biplanes, and some seemed to take chances. Yeah, they sometimes crashed. I remember seeing some fly under power lines and once I saw a Stearman fly directly toward a row of Eucalyptus trees, 120 feet tall. Maybe he thought it wasn't such a good idea because he changed his pattern. I was pleasantly surprised by the guidance & coverage system in this video. That is a GREAT idea. But it's still a dangerous job.
love love love... i went to altus air when i was like 16... they were very kind and gave me the grand tour.... i did miss my calling....
@Hello Michael McKinley, How are you doing?
This is like doing circuits but with wicked tight turns at stall speed...too cool I would love to try it some day!!! Thank-you!
Man, you gotta have steel balls and a 4 axis gimbal for that job. I lost a great uncle crop dusting near Lubbock, TX in early 50's in a J3-Cub - just 8 years after completing 53 combat missions flying a B-25 out of Corsica. The irony. Anyway, excellent video .......... really enjoyed the thrill !
@Delon Duvenage Yeah, all of these pilots are way above my pay grade ! I admire their ability.
Very entertaining and educational. My Boy and I enjoyed this, thank you very much.
I used to work in aircraft manufacturing with a quality assurance guy who was former polish airforce..... he did this on weekends ... respect
Love it. The GPS tech is very cool, as seems the pilot and his very calm demeanor.
I live in agriculture area California central valley see them all the time amazing when they do it at night and have to avoid power lines and trees in the dark much respect to the pilots who do this absolutely focused
Amazing...I had no idea how dangerous/hard this thing is actually. One word for those guys: respect!
@Hello claudemiropacheco, How are you doing?
Butch, you are a stick & rudder god! Respect for your mad skills.
Me trying to go to bed.
TH-cam want to watch a crop duster spray a field.
Me umm well why not
A crop duster was doing it's work on the local fields a couple days ago. It was fun watching the precision flying. I wondered what was involved in that type of flying. This video answered some of my questions. It was fascinating!
BTW. I noticed that the turning rate instrument was turned off. I guess that instrument is irrelevant with that type of flying. lol No standard rate turns used in making of this video! lol
Wow, cool. I have a new appreciation for the level of focus and expertise pilot needs to do that. Some bucks in that equipment.
This is so cool. I didn't know crop dusters could be had in two seater versions. Legit
Great ride Butch. . Be Safe Tiger and thank you
I saw one of these in Idaho AT NIGHT. He must have memorized positions of trees and wires which I saw driving by the next morning . awesom they have gps that paints areas that have been sprayed. Makes you wonder if you could do this blind folded.
Could be he was spraying pesticides and was working "Bee Hours" so as not to harm the bees. A lot of people don't realize the precautions these guys take. :)
They use night vision goggles while flying at night, and no you could not do this blindfolded.
It just takes a special breed of pilot. th-cam.com/video/10BYCPrxgsM/w-d-xo.html
damn, thats a cool office!! i missed my calling. thanks for posting!
Great respect for the skills of this ag pilot,those trees look mighty close,a big aeroplane to haul around like that low level too,that GPS technology works very well,remember the old lines men standing with a flag at the end of the field,most dies of cancer from the dangerous chemicals.
Great video. It's rare to get a ride along like this!
A true pilot! He could handle any airplane. Thanks!
Very awesome. Going over the tree tops looks a bit scary but this pilot seems very skilled.
That’s bonkers. Never seen this from onboard before. Didn’t realise the gps tech was that accurate. Great video
Fantastic and interesting. Was wondering about how they kept track of what they sprayed.
Awesome, side by side, what a privilege!
The PIC calmly says (after several passes with stall warning screaming out), "That little shake is the stall".
Thats called pre-stall, buffet, at that stage with a wing down, usually the left wing, most aircraft would be seconds away from a pancake or spin into the deck! Most pilots would initiate stall recovery, Eg, if height permits, stick forward, then power on max RPM, recover to the climb! And rightly so.
He carries on flying towards the ground, either amazing knowledge of aircraft, load, conditions, amazing skill or........???
Wow... great video.. Great teacher... thanks much for posting this.
great video, really shows how accurate it is now
The turn coordinator is parked on "no worries mate!"
Great Video. 👍
That looks like soooo much fun,,, great video
Excellent video, and flying.
Nice better than the older day's where we had to stand with flags on a pole to let the polit know where to pass next.
Yes! Or fields that had alternating colored indicators. Now it's all digital
That was fantastic. Real flying.
Looks like a dual cockpit AT-504, nice job flying!
Why is there a display outside the cabin?
That display is to line up his approach with the field! It's outside because it helps him keep his eyes focused on whats in front of him!
pretty cool to see it all in action. also first time seeing dual controls.
I enjoyed this video thanks for sharing this it. I have footage from the ground from our local guy spraying the fields we have.
One year they brought a little helicopter to fly the fungicide on that was pretty neat.
hilarious movie! Brett coopers chesire cat grin as the reporter and Andrew klavans CLASSIC line in the gym will be a historical master piece!
Don’t know if it was Mr. Fisher but I saw a air tractor this past weekend banking over my house and it was sweet. Union county near Richwood OH.
excellent flying, sux the trees are there. Bet you love that job
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Very cool vid - thanks for sharing
I grew up crop dusting for my uncles.. At around 13
Growing up in central Ohio I’ve seen this a lot. It may not be the same plane but how many yellow crop dusters are there in central Ohio…? One flying over my house currently. It looks like it’s be BLAST to ride along on that thing
Excellent vid ! That must require so much concentration to avoid deadly mistakes...guess you're a little tired after first day at the job ! This seems so easy to you...
Noticed alot of comments about your flying skills but, just out of curiosity: how many acres was that?
40 would be my guess
OUTSTANDING!
Interesting video. One thing I noticed is the turn and bank indicator wasn't working. Could be a real problem if the pilot wound up in inadvertent IFR conditions.
Crop dusters are amazing pilots.
Mission passed +1000 respect.
He's got to be 💯% everyday at work.
You might think this would be A boring video!!?? But I watch the whole thing! Very interesting. Just one thing?? Wish you had more camera! Also one on the ground to watch a few passes. Maybe one in the field. But for a single camera! Nice job and good audio!!
So this is what glider tow planes do when they're not towing. Nice flying and a good commentary, thanks. Take up flying sailplanes and you'll fit right in.
Great piloting skills. The developement of GPS systems must have improved the accuracy of crop dusting a great deal.
Do ag pilots get fear of heights when they do ferry flights at higher than 2 feet above ground?
Love it! Wish you would have had someone filming same from the ground also
Impressive flying skills!
That looks so fun
man those trees look close !
how far above the trees are the wheels ?
1st. time I Ever heard Anyone, try to explain. The Feeling .
are you going to be at the Marion county Ohio airport show this year. ?
I always wondered why they do a little side-step jink just as they are about to drop down for a pass. I understand now they are lining up perfectly for the pass using that light bar.
You..Sir..are an amazing pilot! I know it's a job... but that's got to be fun everyday!!! BTW...name for crop dusting company....Agri-vation!
I would love to go for a ride with these guys - I'd be scared cause YAH! but looks super fun :)
Sweet. More technical than I thought.
Great video. Do you fly near I70? Think I've seen you. Dayton Springfield area
that's so cool thanks for making the video
Amazing. Would love to do a ride along with these guys!
You use a touch of flaps on "every" turn? Watch those roller bearings. My best was a Turbine Dromedar 1400 shp Lycoming. It'd take anything you'd care to throw in it.....liquid fertilizer excluded. Flew like a dream. Take care - down there!
thanks for sharing very informative!
My buddy puts his into a side slip, it's interesting I ride with him every now and again
This seems like a very rewarding career but I feel it is only a mater of time before drones take over crop dusting. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
people talking about it above ... go up the message pile
Awesome job
Why do power lines cause crashes? You’d think with as powerful and fast as you are going, the power line would snap like a string with little resistance.
Ohhh a computer. I did this back in the late 80's in a bi-plane. I use to go to the field first to check it out and look for landmarks around the field I could spot from the air, then put a yellow flag next to it so I could see it from the air. I then followed the road until I saw the landmark and looked for my yellow flag. I know some people use to signal where to line up next, but I was always good at lining up with the trees or something in the distance. This plane seems to fly faster though. I was trying to see the speed because the stall warning was going off. My stall warning was the plane shimmy lol.
I’m fairly certain I just saw this guy last Friday around 10 am next to I80 between Cleveland and Toledo.
Can anyone tell me what is that strip display out side of cockpit for?
Looks like the prop and wheels are gonna hit the trees !?
Nice flying
Better view than the back seat of a 802
An amazing flight!! Would you mind If I used a section of your video for a video I'm making about crops, it's non commercial video I'm making for a laugh and I'd credit you in the description, but no worries if not, thanks!
Are there manoeuvring limitations for the 2 seat side by side? Seems to turn and climb pretty much like the single seats? I also asked on another AT vid about the flaps, are they fully manual ie operated by the pilot or is there some sort of automation because it seems to me the workload is very high in manoeuvres, working a lever to manage flaps would be impressive as hek but I wonder why not automate it like the fighters?
Flaps are manual, but they are electric. The Air Tractors I flew all had a second actuator switch on the stick, so no need to reach for the flap switch.
Notice the stall awarding. The turbo prop picks up the AV
Is that a little window in to the solution tank in the middle of your instrument panel? How many gallons can that tank hold?
500, for this model. Rarely filled that full, however.
what plane is this?
A wonderful AG Tractor like I fly. His speed is around 165 mph. I fly around 186