What is Actually Required to Become an Ag Pilot?
We’ve heard from a lot of people who are confused by what you actually need to be an Ag Pilot, so hopefully this clears up some confusion.
You will need:
PPL (Private Pilot License)
CPL (Commercial Pilot License)
Tailwheel Endorsement
Pesticide Applicator License (for each state that you will be applying in, though some states reciprocate with each other)
Time - 500 hrs (There is no set amount of time required to become an Ag Pilot though 500 is a good baseline. Some operators may require more, some may require less. This is very dependent on insurance and the relationship that the operator has with their insurance company). Also don’t expect to get 500 hours and just walk into a turbine seat at hour 501. It can happen, but it’s not super realistic.
Check out these videos for more information: