Taking to the skies Farm equipment co-owner shares his love of flying, agri-business By Haley Hoar Palestine Herald-Press
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hile Brian Rucker runs a business filled with equipment and tools for the land, he also shares a passion for the sky. Rucker has co-owned Rucker Equipment Co. with his father since 1995, while also pursuing his love of flying as a pilot. Rucker said that he started in aviation with his father in 1989 after graduating with his degree in Ag Economics from Sam Houston State. He began pursing his private pilots license, but wasn’t able to complete his training until 2007. After receiving the correct training, Rucker was approached by a friend and mentor about what he wanted to do with his skills. “A good friend of mine brought my name up to a jet pilot and told him about me having my ratings,” Rucker said. “He contacted me two and a half years ago and asked me what my plans were. And I said that one day, I don’t know what that day is, but I would like to fly as a contract pilot. He said do you want to fly a jet and I said, let me think about it, absolutely! And that’s when it all started.” Rucker began training for the specific series of jet he would fly for and became type rated SIC which stands for Second in Command or co-pilot. “Over the last two and a half years, I’ve been flying, learning the jet, learning the systems and hopefully next year I will get to sit for my Captains flight exam and ground school,” Rucker said. While flying the jet, Rucker said he has been to
some very interesting locations including Colorado and Mexico. His favorite however is Kalispell Montana. Rucker explained that the location he was in he could see the Canadian border and the Glacier National Park. “When I was in Kalispell, I drove up to a community called Whitefish in the mountains and actually got to fly a float plane in the mountains, taking off and landing in the lakes in the mountains,” Rucker said. “That to me was just a really neat place and we’ve been to some cool places.” Rucker has been able to own some planes himself including a Beechcraft Baron 58 and a 1947 model Stinson Tail Dragger. “That’s a pretty neat airplane,” Rucker said. “It’s definitely interesting.” He explained his love for aviation as many would explain love for their own hobbies.
“Some people play golf and fish and hunt, I fly airplanes.”
Brian Rucker “I’m fortunate that I still have my dad here to help when I’m gone, making the jaunts around the country,” Rucker said. He said that he has made many friends and mentors in his time with aviation including Dr. Robert Pate he actually introduced him to high performance retract
type airplanes, Beechcraft, Banaza. Billy Brice, retired airline pilot and Gaylon Addkison who owns Palestine/ Athens Jet Center. When Rucker is on the ground, he works with his father to manage Rucker Equipment which provides equipment such as Kubota tractors, RTV side-by-sides, hay equipment, lawn, garden and harvesting equipment according to the website. Rucker Equipment also offers products from Stihl, Land Pride, Woods, Krone and Vicon. Rucker Equipment began as an international tractor dealership before evolving to focus on Kubota in the late 70s. As a business owner, he enjoys working with his customers who he describes as “salt of the earth people” and helping his employees work together as a team. One challenge he faces, as do many involved in the agriculture business is the weather. “For us, the lack of rain is a big issue. To much or lack of, farmers and ranchers are never satisfied with it,” Rucker laughed. “Lack of rain is a big hurdle in our business.” Rucker said that the main crop produced in the area is hay to feed livestock and if there is not enough rain, then it can be difficult to make sales for tractors or tractor repairs. “It has ups and downs and a lot of our business is directly tied to the oil field,” Rucker said. “But we’ve enjoyed it. We have some great people here.” Rucker Equipment is located at 3910 US-79 and is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. More information can be found at www. ruckerequipment.com/ or by calling 903-729-6951.
Published February 25, 2016