Wisconsin’s agricultural pilots can finally take a breath as the busy application season comes to a close. Curtis Meister is among them. Curtis is the president of Reabe Spraying Service in Plover and the president of the Wisconsin Agricultural Aviation Association.
He gives us a bird’s-eye view of what the growing season looked like in the Central Sands. He says they’re coming off of a busy season because of the high moisture. He even describes what it’s like to be an agricultural aviator.
The association has worked hard to recruit new pilots. A few years ago, the average pilot age was mid-50s — an aging population, Meister says. Since then, they’ve seen more young people getting interested in the occupation. At the annual ag aviation trade shows, “the crowd suddenly got younger,” he says.
The pipeline of workers is further removed from the farm than generations ago. Now, they are rediscovering agriculture through ag aviation. Aviation is a unique, life-giving profession, says Meister.
It’s rewarding to help farmers grow food to feed the world. Even though the hours and demands of the position can be strenuous during the busy season, it’s enjoyable work, he says.
Meister says he loves being up in the air — about 1,000 feet off the ground. He enjoys seeing the growing season from up above. He may be in the aircraft a total of 40-50 hours a week during the growing season.
In the offseason, it’s time to undergo maintenance work on aircraft. Some pilots may move around the country or overseas to do ag aviation work. Spraying for the spongy moth and other invasive species is an important job for ag aviators.
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