Guest Editorial

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.  ~Betty Reese

PM Harper is greeted in Yorkton by Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and many of the employees from various businesses at the Yorkton Airport.  The PM stopped in Yorkton to take a helicopter tour of the flooded farmlands around the Yorkton area, July 8 2010

The latest news on the 406 ELT regulation can be found here.

Excerpts of an excellent COPA article are re-printed with the permission of the author

Posted June 15, 2010

Responses to our Free Maintenance Presentation delivered to New Ag Air Industry Entrants at the CAAA . . .

Hey Cheryl how are you?  I think the seminar you guys put on was very good both in presentation and information (although some didn't pertain to me, helicopter pilot) and i also thought you guys answered the questions that were presented very well. 

Chase

 

Hi Cheryl

I attended the short little section Allan put on for a couple guys moving into radials and the depth he explained the content in was appreciated. Even Justin commented to me how we had been doing some things wrong while pressure washing. I know time is a huge factor for you but it would be nice to see such a level of depth on all topics. More from Clairon would also have been nice. I have no idea how you guys will be able to fit everything in. This course is appreciated Allan, Neil and the rest of your staff are more than qualified and were all valuable for this course. I think you guys did a great job and this type of course is needed thanks for putting it on. Say hi to everyone in the shop for me. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season and working with you guys.  

Nathan Goertzen

 

Hi Cheryl, I really enjoyed the presentation you guys did it was very well done and very professional. I was expecting just a few pointers and general discussion from a AME point of view. It was well beyond what I expected. I just finished my first year of spraying in an ag truck, I faced alot of the challenges you guys had discribed in your presentation, ex broken spray lever, hydraulic pump failures, (not fun to change by the way), etc and I think I can improve my suckback on shutoff after attending your presentation. I also have a greater knowledge on the round engine and know what early detection signs to watch for, if advancing to a radial this year. I liked the class, u had old parts to display and reference, good slide pictures to see. I think there's alot of value in attending. I wish I seen it before I started spraying, definetly worth credits it should be.

As for improvement comments I find myself stratching my head, keep doing what you two are doing your on the right track, I like that it was catered to beginners and the planes that we'll most likely be working with. Thanks again, Stephan Gamache

 

Thanks again for allowing me attend your course.  I could see it as a very large benefit to someone brand new in the industry.

Too bad you didn’t have more time.  You could have turned it into a whole day affair with questions, and not run out of subject matter. 

The pilot section was a great touch.  I agree that too bad we didn’t have more time to spend with Clarion however it was a good introduction to allow us to talk to him later in the show… a suggestion maybe if you have more time for that section you could find a few wise pilots for us to fire questions at.  Then there are a few different opinions and experiences.  Also then us new guys can meet a few more people in a small environment before setting us free in a jumble of new faces. 

Finally I’d like to compliment everyone in your organization.  Everyone I talked to was Polite, Courteous, Knowledgeable and friendly. 

Keep up the good work.  - Charlene

Hello Cheryl . I thought your session was well done and worthwhile . Our industry is becoming so turbine centred, it was a  valuable exercise to gather new pilots and focus on common maintenance issues affecting entry level machines. Particularly during your spray system and calibration section, I was impressed by the level of knowledge the young fellows in the room possessed. My only suggestion  would be to lengthen the  session to allow more questions and time to interact with your guest pilot,( inspired choice this year by the way ). Hope you and Al decide to make this an annual event . Cheers  Mark Kinniburgh

 

I attended the course by Yorkton Aircraft for new pilots.  I am not a new pilot, but the information that I received from Allan on the operation & maintenance of the 1340 was invaluable. I also wanted to mention that by bringing the new up and coming pilots together this created a safe environment for them to ask questions without the pressure of a large audience. I witnessed these young fellows interacting with each other, during this whole time Allan facilitated the group discussion and did a great job.

 

I wanted to pass along my thanks to both you and Allan for this excellent training opportunity- Todd Lewis

The Maintenance Presentation that Yorkton Aircraft Service provided at the CAAA convention in Regina was invaluable, by having said that I am saying that the sharing of maintenance knowledge and common troubles that arise in the spray season and how to avoid them in particular, as an owner operator I found it to be invaluable. Time is money and you don't make money when your grounded or hurt by poor maintenance, most of this is due to a lack of knowledge  by the pilot or owner. I am an owner operator and would like to be the first to sign up for next years program, I hope it is even more in depth by Yorktons Team. - Travis Karle

Thanks Cheryl and Alan…I think it was a very well done up seminar." What to look for” in each make and model was very good…..and perhaps for next time when you find out who is attending, then find out what they are flying too…just to be sure that a little is covered on each make, such as the job you did on my common wagon. It was good to know what to look for from the AME’s point of view as they are the ones to see the machine failures and very often it is just not looked at enough by the guys pushing them up and down the runways, But now I know where to look at the weak points ……….. I wonder if there is anything that can be compiled in a short picture book…just like your slides for each plane type of its weaknesses, so on a windy day down time or even every morning a more intense check can be performed above the normal walk around check list

 

  Thanks again -   John W. Berthaudin

The presentation was great. The reason I wanted to attend was because I know you guys are the best in the business and I took in some great info about my prop on my ag-cat. Thanks Allan and Cheryl. - Brad Matthiessen

Thanks to you and your staff  for having this session.  All the responses I got were very good and a lot of interest in the topics presented.  It is wonderful to have people in our industry helping tutor the new pilots. - Jeff Farr

 

TRACE 2007 Season Performance?  Get all the details by clicking here.

Shorter version of Press Release (less download time) click here

TRACE 2008

Performance is in the video, check it out here.

Trace News Release: January 2010 click here

To get more technical details and operator/maintenance point of views, click here

TRACE's Newest Product Feature (demonstrating their commitment to innovativeness)

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Standard TowBots are capable of moving 15,000lb aircraft. The Heavy Duty iTowBot models offer 36 volt capability to handle aircraft up to 30,000lbs.

More information.....

DAAM

The Data Acquisition Alarm Monitor system developed by Perkins Technologies in Australia has been FAA approved for the AT802 for some time now.  Finally, in early March 2010, the FAA came through with their approval of the system to be installed on the AT402, 502, 504 & 602.

For more information on this system, visit their website.

To look at their company, product brochure, click here.  

Approved by Perkins to sell and install the system in Canada, Yorkton Aircraft can help you add this trend monitoring system to your Aircraft.  Not only an engine saver, the system is highly useful in establishing trend records for extending TBo times.  Call Cheryl at 1.800.776.4656 for more information.

No Fault Assurance:

"Please excuse the bumpy landing", the pilot announced as the plane taxied towards the terminal at Yorkton's airport.  "It's not the plane's fault, it's not the pilot's fault, it's the asphalt!"

Lowering the Volume, Improving Coverage & Efficiency

Alan McCracken Update, September 2009:

Cheryl got in touch with Alan in late September to see if there is any news available on the low volume trials he did with BASF this summer.  He had just returned from from 4 weeks in South America where he was preparing for their upcoming season.  Back in the USA, he will now begin preparing reports on his USA trials from this past summer. I'll keep reminding him to give me some info over the fall months.  Stay tuned.

Here are a couple of great links on the BASF work done in 2008 on low volume applications:

BASF research helps aerial applicators ensure coverage and efficiency

BASF: low-volume Headline applications

Thank you to Alan McCracken for keeping us current on these trials. 

We will hear more from him as work on the 1 gpa trials continue.

Alan McCracken attended the SAAA in November 2008 to deliver a credit session on low volume applications.  We first met Alan about  5-years ago in Reno.  We published a number of his articles, see two of them here, scroll down to see the others.

Rotary Atomizer Strengths & Weaknesses, click here.

Glysophate at less than 1 Gallon Per Acre - Proven!
Read this exciting article by our friend Alan McCracken, click here.

Allan McCracken has been writing for Yorkton Aircraft for some time. 
Here are some of his Articles

Managing Drift - In this article Alan challenges us to review our drift management decisions, click here.

Calibration of Aircraft and Application Systems, click here

Controlled Droplet Application, click here

Low Volume, Greater Efficiency, click here

The Spot!

Posted by Cheryl, April 2009

Like you, we have been procrastinating the purchase of that 406 ELT.  But the flying season is here and I've become a bit queasy knowing that my customer's distress signal (and my husband's, and my son's, and my staff's) can only be heard by West Jet & Air Canada pilots as they fly over.  Not quite ready to "choose" from the list of approved ELTs I decided to purchase a SPOT unit for now.  I got mine from London Drugs for $170.

I like this SPOT.  It will help me with my uneasy feeling! 

The SPOT is a handheld safety device that communicates with the satellite system (for an annual fee) and dispatches information back to your ground support team's cell phone or email. With the SPOT, pilot or passenger can tell people they are ok and/or that they need help.  Their location can be tracked on the internet. There is even a search and rescue insurance element available if desiired.  Look up more information here: www.findmespot.ca.

So you can see that this doesn't replace an ELT.  But for local flying I can really see its value, even once I purchase a 406 ELT, because of its "help me" and "locate me" function primarily.  Mike Carefoot, one of our great customers, told me that he invested in the SPOT in summer 2008.  He said,"I often do my own mixing for my ag plane and my family has no idea what direction I'm spraying in.  I purchased the SPOT so that I could get help or be found quickly."  Mike that is a great idea and thank you for inspiring me!

I really encourage our clients to use this technology. Crop sprayer or just local flying enthusiast, consider having this onboard for your safety and your family & support team's peace of mind. 

THE 406 ELT Issue

On May 6, 2009 the ELT Rule was put on hold and sent back to CARAC for more public discussion.  See this link for more information: click here

As of September 2009 here are our recommendations on models to consider.  Remember operating with 121.5 is still legal, but it may not be the most effective search & rescue signal to rely on.

Background:

In October 2008 Transport issued this 406 ELT Notice.

Here is the Transport Canada link to Approved ELTs. (Caution, this list is not that current!  Industry Canada also has a site to check but it is cumbersome, click here for that linkl

As well, if doing your own research remember the approved-406 ELTs must meet standard TSO-C126.

Lighten Up a Little!

Wooden Leg Insurance 

Always did find the Saskatchewan Logic far superior to most others!!!

A man and his wife, were checking on insurance.
The husband had a wooden leg and to insure it in Alberta was $2000.00 a year!
When they arrived in Saskatchewan, they went to an insurance agency, to see how much it would cost to insure.
The agent looked it up on the computer and said to the couple, '$39.00.'
The husband was shocked and asked why it was so cheap here in Saskatchewan to insure, because it cost him $2000.00 in Alberta!
The agent turned his computer screen to the couple and said, 'Well, here it is on the screen, it says:   

Define yourself by how you make a difference, not by what you sell   Donald Cooper

Most businesses make the mistake of defining themselves by what they sell...and their focus is on
their need to sell more of it. But when you shift your thinking and define yourself by how you make
a difference in your customers' lives, you start to build powerful emotional connections that create
customer "ownership".  click here for more

Debunking the Pesticide Myth

Editor of Alberta Beef Magazine, Will Verboven, has written a very interesting article on pesticides. Titled "One pest we can't get rid of...Environmental Lobby Groups are still misleading consumers about the health risks of pesticides" the article explains recent analysis of data collected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency showed that pesticide residues are at their lowest level ever. The data shows that more than 99 percent of fresh fruits, vegetables and other food products were found to be within Health Canada's maximum residue limits. It also found that 80 percent of fresh foods had no detectable amounts of pesticide; processed foods were at 90 percent!

Mr. Verboven points out "you'd have to eat hundreds of pounds of a vegetable every day for a year to get a lethal dose of pesticide."

The article is very well written and very direct. We have received permission to reprint this article by the publisher. Click here for a copy. We encourage you to use it whenever and wherever.