Turbine Agricultural Aircraft For Sale

About Turbine Agricultural Aircraft

Although turbine agricultural aircraft haven’t been around as long as their piston-powered counterparts, these days they’re the predominant aircraft type used to apply fertiliser, pesticide, and seed, as well as to carry out aerial crop and field analysis duties. Throughout the world, companies specializing in aerial applications treat tens of millions of acres of cropland annually from above. The vast majority of the aircraft used for these operations are fixed-wing planes with turbine engines, with a smaller percentage including turbine-powered helicopters and piston-powered airplanes.

---

Thrush 510P Turbine Agricultural Aircraft

In addition to delivering nutrients, controlling weeds, combatting locusts and other pests, and fighting disease, turbine ag aircraft can fight fires, perform pasture topdressing tasks for cattle and sheep ranchers, and train future ag pilots. The Thrush 510 P, for example, is used to feed shrimp, top dress timberlands, fly reconnaissance for drug enforcement agencies, clean up oil spills, and much more. Air Tractor’s AT-802A carries out forest-related tasks in various regions of the world. Both are equipped with Pratt & Whitney turbine engines.

Aerial Application Advantages

Pratt & Whitney Canada began developing a smaller gas turbine engine as early as 1957, although it wouldn’t be until 1975 that turbine engines appeared in ag aircraft. Their introduction meant greater speed, power, reliability, and larger payloads (for both product and fuel) than piston-powered planes could manage. They were also more fuel-efficient, which meant longer, much more productive shifts in the fields.

As with piston-powered ag planes, turbine agricultural aircraft can treat crops and sow seed in remote locations and over rough terrain that may be difficult or impossible for land-based application equipment to work. And because they neither compact the soil nor disrupt standing crops, they can treat taller crops in mid-season if needed. Modern turbine ag planes use GPS, meteorological, and other precision ag technologies (touchscreen interfaces, flow-control systems, and variable-control technology) to achieve greater precision and accuracy, and reduce overlaps and chemical drifting.

Improving Safety

In 2019, the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association celebrated the 70th anniversary of the formation of the New Zealand Aerial Work Operators Association in 1949. The association was made up of early aviation companies and pilots who set out to improve the safety of those working in the agricultural aviation industry.

More recently, the Australian Aerial Applicators Association has worked with powerline designers and electrical companies to enhance aerial applicators’ safety through extended use of new and better powerline markers that provide greater visibility. Efforts have also concentrated on providing greater access to downloadable powerline network maps for better pre-flight planning.

Enhanced Design, Greater Productivity

Modern turbine ag aircraft are sophisticated machines packing numerous performance and safety features. The aforementioned Thrush 510 P, for example, provides a full-color glass panel display that makes it easy to keep an eye on performance-related functions, including such ag-specific items as boom pressure, in direct sunlight. The aircraft also offers wire-strike protection, lightweight fiberglass hoppers that make it easy to keep track payload levels in flight, powder coat finishes to combat exposure to chemicals and moisture, and wide-stance landing gear for stable landings on rough landing strips.

The Air Tractor AT-802-A comes with a 3,028-litre (800-gallon) hopper and has a 4,195-kilogram (9,249-pound) payload; Air Tractors says it’s the world’s largest single-engine ag aircraft. The plane can also carry 961 L (254 gal) of fuel while working at speeds from 209 to 257 km/h (130 to 160 mph); it has an economy cruise range of 982 kilometres (610 miles). Air Tractor also offers AT-502 and AT-602 models with smaller 1,892- and 2,271-L (500- and 600-gal) hoppers.

Find The Turbine Agricultural Aircraft For You

You’ll find new and used turbine agricultural aircraft for sale every day on AvaitionTrader.com.au, including planes from manufacturers like Air Tractor, Ayres, and Thrush.