Agricultural Aviation Schools


Agricultural aviation is a sector of aviation industry which aids the agricultural sector to provide the world community with stable abundant supply of production by protecting crops from insects, infestations and weeds, by fertilizing lands and sometimes even seeding from the air.

Nowadays agricultural aviation’s importance is hard to be overestimated considering rapid rates of growth of the world’s population. Increase in population leads to increasing demand for agricultural production, which provides the world community with food, fiber and biological fuel.

Agricultural Aviation Tasks

The main task of agricultural aviation is to kill fungi, insects and weeds causing damage to crops, and therefore to maximize productivity from the land. Agricultural pilots use aircraft to apply pesticides (fungicides, insecticides and herbicides) on fields. The means was named crop-dusting and proved to be highly effective since it was performed for the first time in 1921 in Ohio.

The technology of crop-dusting is developing rapidly, and modern crop-dusting planes have complicated spraying systems and on-board computers, which help to monitor the level of application. Most of the aircraft is supplied with GPS units, which makes it easier to pass each field more accurately.

Agricultural aviation is also applied for forest protection, as it can be used in aerial firefighting.

NAAAToday in order to emphasize the significance of agricultural aviation the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is established. The organization promotes research in the field, new technologies and techniques development. It provides education and training in agricultural aviation.

What will be taught during the course of studies?

The job of an agricultural pilot requires professional qualifications, because techniques used are complicated and frequently unsafe. That’s why agricultural aviation training courses include some basic knowledge along with specialized information.

Degree in Agricultural AviationPilots are taught:

  • Aeronautics;
  • Mechanics of aircraft;
  • Dispersal systems and aerial application;
  • Applied agronomy;
  • Entomology;
  • Safe pesticide use.

The skills a pilot is to acquire by the end of a training course are as following:

  • Ability to deal with different kinds of aircraft;
  • Skills of GPS navigation, prescription mapping, aerial imaging;
  • Outstanding flight skills;
  • Ability to perform emergency actions if required.

An agricultural pilot should stay current with development of technology and innovations in aviation on the whole and agricultural aviation in particular.

Where can I enroll for a training program in agricultural aviation?

The proper training can be received at agricultural aviation schools. The increasing demand for professional agricultural pilots leads to emergency of numerous flight schools providing high quality professional training. Here are a few of them:

1. University of Minnesota/Crookston

The University of Minnesota, located at Crookston, offers a BS in Aviation with an Agricultural Aviation specialization. In the course of study not only flight is taught, but also specialized courses like Soil Science, Crop Production and Meteorology, Crop and Weed Identification.

2. Ag-Flight, Inc.

The school was established in 1983 and its owner, Billy Howell, claims to have prepared about 1400 pilots in agricultural aviation. The school is based in Bainbridge, Georgia and offers diverse training courses and programs. Ag-Flight also offers transition courses for those, who have already received education as pilots. Free accommodation is provided for students attending the school.

3. Sam Riggs Ag-Pilot Training

Sam Riggs school is based in Oklahoma and provides quality training in agricultural aviation. Practical training is held at an actual airport. The school offers both private pilot and commercial course and both short and long fixed-wing agricultural courses. Enrolled students are provided with free housing.

4. Flying Tiger Aviation

Flying Tiger is another educational establishment for agricultural flight training. It is based in Rayville, Louisiana. The primary course, taught at the school, is the Basic Agriculture Aircraft Operations course. There are also preparation courses for those who lack experience as pilots.


Featured Online Aviation Degree Programs

Everglades University

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Liberty University Online

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