FLYING SERVICE
Bear Creek Flying Service
Our home base is the Oaks Municipal Airport, but we also serve the farming communities of Oakes, Linton, and Wyndmere.
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Founded by Travis McPherson in 2014, Bear Creek Flying Service offers seasonal aerial applications for farmers to prevent, treat, and grow higher yields.
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My family has a history in aerial application and, though it's a dangerous job, I know how important it is for crop production, soil conservation, and protecting the fields from fungus and other crop detractors.
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In 2014, I founded Bear Creek Flying Service to carry on my family's business and legacy.
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When asked why I came back to North Dakota - I tell it like it is:
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“I like it here. I’ve flown all over the US, but when it’s time to come home, it’s time to come home.”
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Travis​
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Travis McPherson
Founder/Owner Bear Creek Flying Service​
Our Plane
We proudly fly an AirTractor 802.
These giant birds are also used to fight fires and protect our country. They're built to maneuver well, and hold a heavy load, and are amazing to fly.
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The Ag Model is equipped with a GPS spray modeling system to avoid overlapping crop coverage & a smoke system to help visualize and adjust for wind direction.
Experience
After 20+ years flying as an Ag Pilot all over the country, I returned home to start Bear Creek Flying Service.
Accountability
All our pilots are licensed yearly through the Aerial Applicators through ND Aeronautics Commission, MN DOT, and SD DOT.
In Aviation Ag, the wind never minds its own business.
What's It Like Being A "Crop Duster?"
Before I Spray
Laying down the first spray pass, you need to start away from the direction of the wind. In a small community, you also need to be aware of local traffic, new structures, and cattle. It takes concentration & experience.
I always circle the field I’m spraying first to look for obstacles to spraying: powerlines, new structures, animals, and people.
What is it like doing a spray run?
First look to mentally mark obstacles/powerlines: Clear of people or animals
Spray pump: On
Pattern: Set
GPS: Set
Setting The Pattern
First, I set up the spray borders. I line up on the edge of the field for the first pass, keeping the power-line placement in my head - I push the button and lay my first A point. At the end of the field, I lay my B-point. That makes an A-B line, then I make the C-point at the other end of the field for my Air Tractor Spray Pattern & GPS.
Now every time I fly a swath, it moves my pattern & GPS for me. The Air Tractor 802 holds enough spray for me to do most fields in one tank, and after setting the plane’s spray pattern, the system helps me avoid overlap.
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Airspeed and Product Flow Control
The Flow Control setting - keeps your crops from being oversprayed or undersprayed.
It controls the product flow depending on how my airspeed changes during each pass.
Whether I slow down by flying into the wind, or speed up with a tailwind, the field gets the same amount of product on it.
Wind Direction and Smoking
Depending on the wind & shelter belts, sometimes I hit my “Smoke” button, so I can get a visual on how the wind is affecting my spray pattern. (Smoker oil, injected into the engine exhaust). So if it looks like my plane’s smoking - it’s on purpose!
Clean-Up Passes
Clean-up passes are done at the end of a spray job - I make sure your crop is covered.
