Cropdusters

     I  once knew a man who said that he'd rather be lucky than skillful. Considering how skilled he was, it came as somewhat of a surprise. He was a cropduster pilot.

     The fungus problem I told you about last Monday has gotten well out of control. There is somewhat of a Striped Rust epidemic in our little corner of the world. The wet conditions coupled with the growth stage of the wheat make it impossible to take a wheeled sprayer in. When this is the case, farmers call in the crop dusters.

     Tens of thousands of acres need to be sprayed. So the pilots have been working hard every minute that the weather permits. They work low to the ground, which makes it a very dangerous job.
     They line up, make a pass, turn, do it all again. When the tank is empty, they fly in and fill it up and keep going. All day long, every day and well into the evening for as long as it takes.
     This fungus is serious business. 

     I've had a lifelong fascination with planes. Much of the credit can go to these pilots. One in particular, the man who put so much stock in luck, made a large impression on me. He was a hero of mine, in fact. For what it's worth, I'd like to dedicate this post to him. And, to all the pilots working out there right now, good luck.