posted 06-04-2001 10:31 PM            

Sound like you've been busy, Delphi.

posted 06-04-2001 11:35 PM            

It's not apparent on the reference photos. Looks like there's some other gadgetry in that area, as well.

NSA should have a look at this.

Outstanding and important work, Delphi. I would give my right arm for comparable photo of a megasprayer.

posted 06-05-2001 12:41 AM            

This helicopter is NOT military. It is a civilian-owned 1974 Bell JetRanger 206B outfitted with a cropdusting apparatus. I know because I used to refuel them as a college student a long time ago. This one's tail number (N59612) is the giveaway as to it's owner, and a search of the database at http:\\www.AVWEB.com verifies it. All civilian aircraft registered in the United States have a registration number that begins with an "N." It has to be painted on the side of the aircraft, and even commercial aircraft have them.

This helicpoter belongs to a company called Chem Air Inc. (spooky, huh!) Their address is: 7545 Haygood Rd / Po Box 7241, Shreveport, LA 71137. Their phone number is: (318) 424-8395. Look them up, give them a call, and you'll probably find that they were spraying some type of crop. This may not necessarily be what they are doing near your house, though. They are listed in the yellow pages under "Aircraft-Charter, Rent & Lease" and they could have been doing anything. like a post-repair functional check flight. I'm going out on a limb here, but I'll bet that their big "secret facility" will probably end up being a small hangar with a big bin of pesticide outside of it.

Hope this helps you.

Mav

posted 06-05-2001 01:07 AM            

Crops are on private property, and thus are going to be sprayed at low-level. I've been buzzed on the highway by AG-Cats with barely enough altitude to clear the treetops. These guys operate at these altitudes regularly, and there's nothing illegal about it. Annoying, yes, but illegal, NO. If you really want something done about this, go to your local FAA office and show them the pictures. If there was a rule being broken here, then you have the evidence to launch their investigation.

There doesn't have to be a corn field nearby for one of these to be spraying. One of your neighbors could have an orchard, or there could be a large infestation of some type of pest in the trees. They could be under contract to the city for mosquito control. I don't know, and don't care. I just gave you a lot of information about your picture, and you can do what you want with it. Jeez, I guess that you're welcome for the research.

Why don't you call them and ask them why they were there?

posted 06-05-2001 01:09 AM            

I am puzzled by the message underneath your login name, as well, TG69.

"pay up?"

Does someone here owe you money?

If so, I would recommend contacting a collection agency.

posted 06-05-2001 01:22 AM            

Yes, I saw the next page, but the tail number has been read incorrectly.

Here we go again. Should I follow up your jab with a joke about "senior member" underneath your name? Would "woo hoo" be a better thing to put below yours? Stay on topic, please.

posted 06-05-2001 09:58 AM            

quote:

---

N59612 is Assigned

Assigned/Registered Aircraft

Aircraft Description

Serial Number 1500 Type Registration Corporation
Manufacturer Name BELL Certificate Issue Date 02/16/1993
Model 206B Status Valid
Type Aircraft Rotocraft Type Engine Turbo-Shaft
Pending Number Change None Dealer No
Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code 51733107
MFR Year 1974 Fractional Owner NO

Registered Owner

Name CHEM AIR INC
Street 7545 HAYGOOD RD PO BOX 7241
City SHREVEPORT State LOUISIANA Zip Code 71137
County BOSSIER
Country UNITED STATES

Airworthiness

Engine Manufacturer ALLISON
Classification Restricted
Engine Model 250 SER 250HP Category Agriculture and Pest Control

A/W Date 08/27/1981

---