The Best Ag Plane? Thrush vs. Air Tractor 

I’m what I guess you would call an old-timer (45 years). Started in Super Cub, then Pawnee, then AgTruck, AgCat, AT401, S2R, 502, 802. Not as many hours as some but 15,000+. I had a couple of thousand hours in the 401 (my first flight in a 401 was a hot day and a full can, so it didn’t really fly until about the 3rd turn) and then went to work for a guy who, at the last minute, told me I’d be flying his S2R rather than his 401. I was a little apprehensive - I’d been told the Thrush was a big strong man’s airplane and I wasn’t particularly big or strong. Turned out that I really liked the old Thrush (more than the 401). It was nearly as fast and had a better lift wing I thought (except for that annoying aileron stall). Fast forward to flying a 502 with -34. This particular job was at higher elevation (around 3000+ ft) and, on a hot day at close to 5000 ft density altitude the 502 dragged its butt around more like a 401 with a full can. When I started into the 802 with the -67, it was a whole new world. Same elevation as the 502 but man, did that airplane pull a load! Best Ag plane I’d ever flown and a good way to end the last 7 years of a long career. Nothing like ferrying back to the ramp at 200 mph. (Up to that point, my favorite had been the 450 super B Cat - much nicer to fly than a 600 A or B, I thought). I never did fly any of the turbine Thrushes but I know some operators that love them. I’ve never flown behind a Garret either, so can’t pass judgement. Nothing to learn from my comment, obviously, but just passing along my experience I guess.

You realize that both aircraft were designed by the same man Leland Snow. Leland designed the thrush first, then sold it to Rockwell and immediately went to work designing the Air Tractor. I worked for Mr Snow in the 80's and he always said that the air Tractor was a thrush with the bugs worked out.

I flew a late 60s radial Thrush for 5 seasons. I never noticed how heavy the controls were, except the roll was kinda slow. Always thought of it as a lead sled. But, after spending a couple of seasons in a B Pawnee, I was grinning all the way to the bank. Actually flew the prototype turbine Thrush when the test pilot dropped by. We were only 35 miles from the factory. I crashed the Thrush after an engine failure (think on your head with your helmet buried in the dirt), and we actually took it back to the factory service center for repairs and the installed a wing off the prototype turbine which had been run into a canal in S. Florida. Those were the days of $75,000 Thrushes.

Anyone flying very low close to terra firma, maybe under some wires, and fast, deserves great respect and admiration.

I have flown all the AirTractor models,, and everyone of thrush except the 710 ! I love the Garrett engines! When people ask me which one I prefer, I say this, if you wanna be productive you buy the AirTractor!! if you wanna survive a crash and be safer at slower speeds by the thrush if you’re going to fly over the Atlantic ocean you by the Pratt & Whitney if you’re going to spray fields and close to home buy the Garrett, I know that don’t answer too many questions, but that’s just how I feel about it !!! my dream airplane a 602 with a TPE 331 -12! Great video guys. I got to get one those hats and T-shirts.

My daddy flew them all. But he loved Thrush. He bought a new one in the early 90s when he owned the business. By the time he retired in 09, he was flying an AT for someone else. Of course I'll always be partial to the Ag cat, but only because that's the one I always flew in with him back in the 80s. I wish he was still here to see this Sky Warden thing happening. I wonder if he would find it as awesome as I do! Thanks for all of the footage. My dad was spraying before I was even born. And even now at 50, it never gets old watching it. Thankful for YT videos from people like you. And for those of you trying hard to make the general public understand how important the job is, and why you guys do what you do. Most people don't compute the actual job with our food. They prefer to believe conspiracies, and think you're all crazy. The crazy part we could talk about, but the rest of it is hogwash.😅

Good to see you again! Looks and sounds like all is well. Enjoy your program.

Man I love watching you channel. Best of luck with your new venture.

That was very informative Tyson. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes.

Good luck you both are amazing people !!!

Air tractor guy myself, flew the 710p alittle bit and just like you say about these, heavy on the controls, definitely feel the drag of the airplane and I just am biased as well I guess haha. I will say my 602 feels like it gets off the short grass strips better than the 710 but the 710 definitely handles gusty crosswinds better.

Cally and you make such a great team! Im so glad i recently found this channel

Great videos! I appreciate how you two are trying to educate others on ag aviation. My wife and I have been trying to do the same. I think that the more that we can do to help educate the public about our profession is better for all of us in the long run! I have had so many people come up to me after watching our videos and say that they had no idea why we do what we do regarding certain topics. Keep up the great videos and I hope that we can meet you two some day in the future. Congratulations on the new business as well! It definitely makes you think differently as on owner versus working for someone else.

Not a pilot, but a fan of Ag aviation,thanx!!!

Great explanation of the two aircraft. It’s kind of like some people like Ford’s, Chevy’s or Rams. You two are amazing and love your videos. I wish you both the very best in your new business venture. You both will be successful because you love what you do, you both are passionate about it. You’re honest and hard working. God bless. If I lived near you, I would work for you two for free. Keep the videos coming.

Great video!

I work in ag retail and deliver a lot to flying services. One pilot who flies for a co-op gets a new 802 every other year. His second plane is 502. Here in MS delta I bet we have more tractors than thrushes. We still have ag cat biplanes and Cessna ag wagons flying also.

Dude awesome!

interesting! I like the technical stuff. My Pop only had piston engines in his sprayers, but that was decades ago now. His last one was a PA-36 Brave with the problematic Continental Tiara. I sold it to a guy from I think Texas after Dad passed. All I remember was the guy called his operation Endless Turn. The closest I ever got to flying a sprayer was wig wagging them back & forth between the gas pumps and the loading area hanger. lol

Very interesting for a non-ag pilot👍

Keep a eye on those bearings i seen put out a engine fire or 2 in those and it always happens 30 to 50 miles away.

Lots of good points... Couple questions. Do you care about direct drive vs the prat's free turbine when adding power? Instant vs lag. Noticeable? Does it even matter? Thanks!

802 only way to go. You ran the 502 “full forward all the time”? Full forward you should overtorque or temp. 1500# is our normal 502 power setting -34

So for a novice, what should I look for to identify the aircraft type when I see one spraying a field? The wings? Or is that difficult to do given the changes in the planes over the years? Thanks!

great video!! If I'm not mistaken both planes were designed by the same person. Nowadays picking between a 510p and a 502b is probably like picking between a ram and an f150

Hola! Saludos, excelente video, considero que eso va a depender de que modelo estes comparando, aca en Costa Rica solo vuelan thrush y air tractor, y e oido pilotos decir que hay thrush que vuelan has mil veces mejor que un air tractor, pero dependiendo del modelo y como lo tengan calibrado. Son dos aviones fenomenales y cada uno tiene sus pro y sus contra

Thanks, was wondering when you would get to the explaining the difference.

My old man retired as an Ag Pilot of some 30 years. He flew every model of Thrush and Airtractor - said both were great airplanes. He said the airtractor was easier (up to the 502) to fly all day, but the Thrush was more stable on the crop. The AT802 was a bit of a different beast...

Out of curiosity what helmets are used for ag and firefighting work? How do you ensure they work with oxygen and respirators?

The USAF and SOCOM are currently purchasing a military version of the Air Tractor (AT-802U Sky Warden) for use in Surveillance, Gound Attack, and Close Air Support -- When you see the way Tyson and other AG pilots fly, you can see why.

Man the Air Tractor 802 with PT6A-67F is the best machine of the world!

When we were in the ag business we had thrushes and are computation flew air tractors and thrushes. We would fly circles around the airtractors

Спасибо, коллега! Было интересно послушать. Я 40 лет на поршневом Ан-2. Сезон 2-3 месяца. К концу сезона на ладонях мозоли от штурвала, колени тоже болят. Ремень для брюк делается деревянным от пота. Футболка на спине от пота становится белой😂. Я так понимаю, что самолеты, о которых вы говорите, гораздо комфортнее. Интересно, с какими дозировками работаете? У меня основная 50 литров на гектар, изредка 25 литров на гектар. Бывает, что работаем и 100 литров на гектар.

Somber note. Can you explain what happened to Mr. Johnson yesterday, west of Oslo MN? Prayers and thank you.

Any way to attach winglets...maybe it will help with fuel economy

Hi. Thanks for your open supply of information. I’m 63. Im in excellent health. Been flying for 35 years. Flown commercial towing gliders, amphibious floats, two seasons of ag in a 188. 2000 hrs (1900 on tailwheel) I retired from electrical contracting in 2019. I can’t stop thinking about flying. Thinking of getting back into ag and possibly into fire fighting. (Fire boss stuff). The question is, do you think I’m crazy? ( my family thinks I need therapy 😁)

Hey Tyson, great assessment of differences between the 502 and S2R. Have you had the opportunity to work an 802?

A freind of mine said with the Garrett convertion and the nose down attitude the fuel gauge was off, it would run out of fuel before it was on empty. He found this out the hard way had to land in a corn field.

Excellent bit of video vidiography right there tyson!! Just what us non ag pilots are looking for... One question from a piper pilot and we just did complete interior swap and surveyed all pulleys, wires, linkages and rods. And iam reasonably sure our rudder is not linked to our ailerons or elevator.... God I hope this isn't as stupid as I think It could be. But, is ur rudder linked to ur other controls?? Thanks guys!! Please,, been watching an awful lot of reruns lately....lol

Is love to get into the industry. Do you have any suggestions to get a foot in the door for someone located west central IN?

TPE331 vs PT6 is a whole different conversation that I’d be keen to hear your thoughts on.

Great video Tyson. Tell me the servo you are referring to, is it electrical or hydraulic? It is probably like the power steering in your car.

I jumped out of a 2017 502b -34 and into a 1989 510 with a -42. My first few weeks in the 510, I hated it, heavy on the controls, slow to respond and it just felt sluggish and heavy. The cockpit ergonomics in the thrush aren’t anywhere near as good as the air tractor, inside the thrush is loud ( engine and wind noise) and uncomfortable, the stick position sucks and everything seems like it’s in the most illogical place they could put it. I could spend 14hrs in the 502 and yea, I’d be tired, but not worn out. The thrush would grind you down on a long day. But.. the 502 was 750hp, the 510 is 850.. the 502 hauled a full load most of the time, you could drag it out of any short strip, but you’d spend a fair bit of time getting back in front of the drag curve. And it felt like death on a stick while you were doing it. It always felt like it wanted to try kill you.. you had to be way in front of the aircraft. The 510, well it won’t fly until it’s ready, it will still haul a full load off a short strip, and it does it better than the 502, once it’s off the ground it accelerates away and it goes like a rocket. It’s quicker over the crop, quicker in the cruise. If you are prepared to muscle it around it will turn inside the 502 all day every day, and by a huge margin. My thoughts are if you could put a 502 fuselage on a 510 wing you’d have a pretty awesome machine.

My son flys an 802. Why can’t you add a taller tail wheel to pitch the nose down a little bit while on the ground

Hey Tyson, I really liked your video, lots of good points to consider between a Thrush and an Air Tractor. If you'd like to come out to the Thrush Factory for a tour, let me know and I will see if I can set that up!

Check you swath. You should get the same swath as an Airtractor. We’re running both 502 and 510 and actually getting a wider swath with die Thrush. Check with Alan Corr

Please keep in mind your Thrush is different from the ones we currently build. Yes, I build these. No, I do not speak for the company. Please get those servo tabs. They are very worth it.

Tyson I love your hat where can I buy one it would be great to wear one while flying my R/C aircraft at our club field. I want to purchase one if possible.

Los dos aviónes son muy buenos, aquí en el MNCH en Chinandega, Nicaragua los dos modelos entraron a operar en la fumigación Aérea en los años de 1956, el Thrush en ese tiempo entro en operación Aérea con el nombre Snow Comander, no tenía Flap's y era más pesado, el Air-Tractor tenía Flap's salientes cortos, después se le unieron como compañeros de vuelo el Piper Pawnee de fuselaje de tela, el Cessna AGWagon, el Dromader PZL-18 Polaco, pero el Thrush y el Air-Tractor eran los más eficientes, y lo siguen siendo hasta el día de hoy.

Out of curiosity or maybe its none of my business but how are you guys involved with Mosko Moto? Nice video by the way

For me, it's the thrush!😁

Great to hear from y’all Tyson! I have always liked the Air Tractors. The government has even had AT build a series of recon strike capable airplanes which are Air Tractors with guns, rockets, and cameras. If you’re burning 4-5 gallons less per hour but also dropping a 10’ narrower swath of liquid. It sounds like the fuel burn is a wash. Every 4.3 swaths in the AT would equal 6 in the Thrush on the same field, plus the fuel nozzles 150 hours more frequently and the bearing thing every 150. Of course the price tag on a newer AT is probably quite a bit more than the Thrush. Do what you gotta do each step of the way to survive my friend. It kinda boils down to that. I wish you both success!!! Be safe out there!!!

You going to the Tri-State convention?!

Take us up for a ride ! 🙃

Air Tractor is the race car of ag planes. Just my opinion.

Is the other plane going to be Cally's?

Air Tractor just looks better to me! And plenty of operators have them, and wouldn’t be operating if the revenue wasn’t enough to offset cost.

Wow! Armstrong flying?!!! No need to work out at the gym. Fly by wire would be a monster upgrade and make that plane a bit more enjoyable for sure!

❤TPE-331❤

It’s sure easier to get spares for an Air Tractor than a Thrush!

Airtractor every day!

How about an ag cat

Thrush's originally failed the spin test So they added a cable and spring do-dad down buy the rudders, that really makes the controls heavy. I can't tell yeah If anyone has ever removed it or modified it and seen what happened. But I'm not one to judge. Personally I've never cared for servo's or goose feet neither it feel's like power steering they say. My ass!lol plus all that extra drag. I'd like to see how a thrush would dance with fabric ailerons. Like 10 years ago our first thrush had a geared 1340 with a clipped 3 blade albatross prop. and wing extensions 'Fucker Got off quick even on a hot day, but damn it turned like Ms Piggy on roller skates but that was perfect setup for my 70+ yr old dad lol

AT 502 XP vs Thrush 510 P2+ 2024 ????? 📈🇧🇷🇺🇸🛩️

Dope and fabric is what it’s called. I’m from the old school. How about a 1976 AG Cat😂😂😂

You left a lot of great airplanes out of the discussion. It really depends on the purpose. It is a huge waste of money to use and Thrush or Airtractor to spray stop drop ULV or something similar . Same jobs are it seems smarter to use a lighter plane if you have one around

I thought the correct answer was a turbine swapped Grumman AgCat. Jokes aside, in sc kansas, it's mostly air tractor.

Hi Tyson, pardon my poor English - English is my second language. Which aircraft would be best for dropping colored liquid at a gender reveal party? My cousin is re-doing her gender reveal party and asked me to do a flyover.

I liike the air tractor, it's faster and i can get more out of it at the end of the day.

Like the Thrush, don't like the Garrett....needs a -34 up there.

Who would name a plane after a yeast infection?

red vs green hahaha

Versus. The word is versus.

We farm with old equipment because everything we own including our houses and land is not worth enough money to buy new farm equipment

No more mustache

Pilot who sprays for us , his plane had 1500 hp.

Thrush es un plagio de un Air tractor

I've spent the majority of my time in a -10 Thrush. I took the time to fly a -34 502 to make a comparison and there isn't one. I feel lightyears safer in my Thrush. Kudos to air tractor pilots, they fly so crappy that you've got to be a bad a** pilot to handle them. My hat is off to y'all!

Neither. AG CAT

Please, for all professionalism. Don't call this power plant a motor again. Like wise you wouldn't call the prop a fan.

Was that a Thrush or an Air Tractor that crashed in Mexico for that gender reveal party?

Considering that “piled up in a cornfield” is the Thrushes natural habitat, I’m going with the Air Tractor.