Before We Fly: Get Your Field Ready

Step 01

Give us the field by name or location we both know, and mark the corners we're supposed to spray so we don't clip a neighbor.
Flag anything a low pass could hit that we can't see from the seat: stray wire, an old fence line, irrigation risers, a T-post in the stubble.
Tell us where wheel tracks, waterways or a wet spot run through, so we can plan the passes.
If the field shape is odd or there's a piece we skip, walk us through it or drop a pin, don't leave us guessing at altitude.
Pull livestock, dogs and parked equipment back off the field edges before we start.

Step 02

Point out every power line, phone line and guy wire crossing or bordering the field. Single strands are the ones that kill people.
Call out poles, well houses, grain bins, center pivots and any tower or antenna near the run.
Tell us about trees or a shelterbelt on the ends where we pull up, and how tall.
If a line got added, moved or a pole went in since we last flew it, say so. We fly off what we remember.
Note any road, driveway or building we'll be flying over on the turns.

Step 03

Tell us what's planted in the fields next to you, and which direction they sit. A sensitive crop downwind changes what we can fly and when.
Point out gardens, orchards, organic ground, vineyards or a CRP strip along the edge.
Let us know about beehives on or near the field, or a beekeeper who runs bees in the area, so we can time around them or skip the buffer.
Flag any open water, a pond, creek or well head we need to hold off of.
If a neighbor has asked to be called before spraying, give us the name and number ahead of time.

Step 04

Tell us who's supplying the product, you or us, and have it on hand and labeled before we ferry out.
Have a clean water source we can draw from close to the load site, and let us know the fill rate.
Keep the product in original containers with the labels readable, and set aside anything that needs a specific rate or carrier volume.
If you want two things tank-mixed or a surfactant added, tell us up front so we can check they're compatible.
Have your total acres and target rate settled before we load, not after the hopper's full.

Step 05

Give us a load site with room for the truck and the plane, close to the field, on ground firm enough to hold weight when it's wet.
Make sure the approach can take a loaded truck, and tell us about soft spots, low bridges, cattle guards or a locked gate.
Leave gates open or leave a key or a code, and let us know if a gate needs shutting behind us for livestock.
Clear the load and turnaround area of equipment, trailers and vehicles so we can work fast.
If the strip we use to ferry from has changed or has a hazard on it, tell us before we fly out.

Step 06

Crop and variety: wheat, barley, peas, lentils, garbanzos or canola, and whether it's spring or winter planted.
Growth stage: burndown, tillering, flag-leaf, heading, flowering or pre-harvest. Stage drives the timing.
The product and rate you want, or the problem you're chasing so we can advise, plus any water volume you need per acre.
How soon it has to go on and any window we're working against, a rain forecast, a re-crop plan or a harvest date.
Your total acres and the best number to reach you on the day we fly.

Before we fly.