Families who enjoyed watching the Disney movie 'Planes' and the exploits of the main character Dusty Crophopper should enjoy seeing a real 'Dusty' in action!
Air Tractor celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2024, a tribute to Leland Snow who designed his first agricultural aeroplane in 1951 at the age of 23. In 1958 he moved his aircraft production activities to Olney, Texas, where he established ‘The Snow Aeronautical Company,’ and began improving the aircraft. He later sold his company to Rockwell-Standard, becoming Vice President of the Aero Commander Division and developing the aircraft further.
Snow resigned from Rockwell in 1970 and devoted the next two years to designing the first Air Tractor, combining all he had learned about aircraft design and agricultural spraying. It was to be an improved, modern Ag plane with a sleek, aerodynamically efficient airframe. Construction of the AirTractor AT-300, which later became the AT-301, began in 1972 and Air Tractor’s first turbine model, the AT-302, was introduced in 1977.
The employee-owners at Air Tractor currently produce an extensive line of agricultural aircraft, powered by reliable Pratt & Whitney piston or turbine engines. Today, more Air Tractor aircraft are dusting and top dressing crops than any other brand,operating in more than 30 countries around the world.
The example displaying at CF25 is an Air Tractor AT-402B owned and operated by Bargh & Gardner Aviation Limited, NZ.
About Marlborough Lines Classic Fighters Omaka: The airshow is the main fundraising event for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum, located in Blenheim, Marlborough NZ.
