Tips for on farm facilities

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Tips for on farm facilities

Some on farm airstrip facilities were built back in the 1950s when aircraft were 220 HP and 300kgs was the average payload.  Today, turbine aircraft can commonly carry several tonnes and be many times more powerful than early aircraft.  Unfortunately, facilities have not kept pace with aircraft work-rates.  Bin sizes are often too small for a complete job and many bins have inadequate covering.

Storage bins should keep fertiliser dry – if it gets wet– it won’t spread properly and you won’t get even coverage.  Also, wet fertiliser and lime are safety hazards for the pilots because it can get trapped in the hopper.  This has caused fatal accidents in the past.

“Some farmers
leave $20,000 of fertiliser on the ground while they wait for it to be spread.   I bet they’d make an effort to keep it covered if it was $20,000 of bank notes left in the paddock”. 

Airstrip and Bin Guidelines

If you would like to read more on the Guidelines that the CAA Health and Safety in Employment Unit are promulgating, please use the following link:   http://www.caa.govt.nz/HSE-CAA/Safety_Guideline_Topdressing_Final_Draft.pdf

For all your Aerial Spreading needs phone
0800 SUPERAIR  (0800 787372)