A helicopter handles tight situations and sensitive areas better than an airplane, said Gordon Murray, owner of Bi-Air Application Services in Blackfoot, Alta.
“You have better control of your speed, you’re more manoeuvreable and you’re closer to the ground.”
Murray flew only fixed wing aircraft when he started his aerial application business in 1983. He began switching to helicopters in the late 1990s because of growing demand for application accuracy. He now has four helicopters and only one plane.
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Bi-Air has two styles of spreaders, both made by Simplex. He has used both spreaders to apply all types of seed and fertilizer.
The solid mount system has a hopper and an electrically driven spinning disc on the left and right sides so the weight of seed or fertilizer is carried directly on the helicopter frame.
“It takes longer to load when the hoppers are actually mounted to the helicopter, but it’s more controllable,” said Murray.
The other spreader, which seems to be his favourite, is a swinging bucket system that attaches to the helicopter by cable.
It also uses a spinning disc driven by a Honda gas engine and controlled electronically by the pilot.
“The bucket spreader detaches, so it’s better when we’re spreading large volume products like fertilizer or lime,” he said.
“It’s slinging from the helicopter, so it ends up sitting on the ground away from the helicopter. We can load it up quick and get back into the air again. The disadvantage is the way it swings. It’s more difficult to fly.”
Murray said he can apply all types of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides with the spray booms installed.
“We do lots of glyphosate for burn-o ff with the helicopters. That’s because we can control the spray so much better. I’d say glyphosate is probably 80 percent of our work.”
For more information, contact Murray at 780-745-2360 or visit www.biairapplicationservices.com.
