UNITED STATES
IN MY OPINION
Robert McCurdy bluemaxs2rt@gmail.com “Ag-Pilot Instructor — Retired”
Ground Personnel Ag pilots are only as good as their ground personnel - the crew that loads the airplane and the people who do their maintenance. Establishing trust in these men/women who perform as ground personnel is essential. I have created some “suggestions” on items, in my opinion, will help with the relationship a pilot has with his ground crew. 1. They should always be aware of that big turning fan. Have boundaries set around the airplane that are not to be crossed whenever the engine is running. 2. Ask them to be alert for anything out of place on your airplane, like a dripping nozzle, leaking dump gate gasket, a boom
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hanger that is loose, a low tire, etc. Nothing is too trivial. Have water readily available for the pilot. Use appropriate hand signals when communicating with the pilot, especially when taxiing to a specific spot. When “jumping the wing,” be extra cautious about slipping or falling off the leading edge. Be really good at estimating the amount ➤
