May 14, 2012
|
Area agricultural pilots have regional reach By SCOTT WRIGHT FOSTERS BEND COMMUNITY — Every year around this time, if you look up in the sky, you're liable to see one of the last of a vanishing breed: small but powerful planes flying tight circles and swooping patterns over hundreds of acres of farmland. The pilots of those final few planes are some of the most talented, knowledgeable people in the world in their profession, commonly referred to as crop dusting. In at least that one way, Centre's Jamie Jordan is a lot like his father, the late Tom Brock Jordan (pronounced JERD-n). Tom Brock, who passed in early 2010, was the focus of a feature article in The Post in November 2009. The World War II flying instructor and lifelong University of Alabama fan had just taken part in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. After the war Tom Brock, a farmer, turned his flying talents into an asset. For decades, he spent part of his time above his cotton fields in Cherokee County instead of in them. For a while, Tom Brock spent plenty of time aloft, flying legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and would-be Crimson Tide recruits across the Southeast. Today, Tom Brock's son Jamie, who owns and operates Riverbend Farm in Fosters Bend, carries on the family's high-flying farming tradition. The second generation agricultural pilot is so proficient at his trade, in fact, that a year ago this month he hosted a training of the Alabama Agricultural Aviation Association at his farm-airstrip in the eastern part of the county. Dozens of pilots, flight crewmen and agricultural workers attended the all-day event. Representatives from the National Agricultural Aviation Association spoke to attendees, as well. The most honored guests included entomologists from Auburn University and the University of Georgia, as well as Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and his Alabama counterpart, John McMillan. After flying test patterns, enjoying a steak lunch complete with homemade ice cream (with locally-grown strawberries) for dessert, those in attendance gathered for a photo in front of their planes. Each of the dozen or so long-time farmer-fliers posed with a newly-awarded certificate of appreciation from the NAAA. The country's few remaining experts in the field will celebrate International Crop Dusters' Day in two weeks, on May 29. The number of pilots has continuously shrunk during the last few decades, due to ever-improving methods of chemical application and genetic engineering that renders plants more resistant to insects. It is largely because the field is so specialized that continuous training sessions like the one held in Centre last year are required. Flight tests included performing precision maneuvers over bare fields dropping dyed water from the planes' spray applicators. The area and amount of coverage were then measured for accuracy and efficiency. “We all work together to do a good job for out customers, the farmers,” Jordan said last week. “We train hard to make sure we get the product on the crop, and not in the woods or the water.” So next time you see Jordan, or some other professional agricultural pilot, zipping overhead on a spraying run, rest assured that there is no need to worry. These pilots are trained professionals. To learn more about the AAAA, the NAAA and crop dusting in general, visit www.agairupdate.com. |