This is a pretty new registration in Ecuador.

Built in 1978, imported in 1991 and based at Kindersley/SK in 2023. If you look closely, the engine is running but nobody is in the cockpit. The pilot was sitting in a lawn chair eating a sandwich so I asked him what he was playing at. He said he was going to change the oil and wanted to keep the engine hot until he'd finished his lunch. Those ag-pilots are breed apart!

First registered as VH-NZB in December 1990, ex VH-AYL. On 2 March 2006 this aircraft was registered to Tacho Pty Ltd, with Agforce Pty Ltd as the registered operator (both companies at the same address in Parkes, NSW). Their aircraft were based at a private farm airstrip west of nearby Forbes, NSW, offering spraying, spreading and seeding services. By 2022 they also operated call-when-needed contracts with NSW RFS and QFES for aerial firefighting.

It called in to get fuel and was en route, along with two other Ayers S-2 and three M-18 Dromader, to some big spray contract. Wrecked on 31 May 1987 at Grantsville/MD when it hit a power line while spraying.

This Ayres S2R-600 Thrush, C-GYXL-X, was one of the first agricultural aircraft mounted on floats for aerial firefighting. The system was designed by inventor Paul Hajduk of Terr-Mar Aviation in Vancouver, BC in the 1983-1985 period when the aircraft was registered to Meridian Grain and Golden West Aviation and later carried "Seathrush Air Tanker' markings. Hajduk then converted a S2R-T34 Turbo Thrush, N40101, of Custom Farm Service into an air tanker on amphibious floats in 1987, and a S-2R-T660 Turbo Thrush in 2000. (The first rival AT-802AF Fire Boss amphibian entered service in BC in 2003)

Ayres S-2 converted to turbine power by Marsh Aviation at Mesa with Garret TPE331-1-101 engines. Crashed 14th June 1996 whist on a fire suppression mission near Oracle AZ.

In her new colours, but still called "el Lider", which obviously stands for "the leader". All the planes in the Agroaereo fleet have interesting names.

Ex N55326 for the ferry trip down, now being re-flagged and her new registration is HC-CQT. She had to perform an emergency landing on the 5th of January 2021 after an engine failure, with only minor damage as a result.

Taxiing along at Jaramillo.

Unfortunately Los Perez closed. (Nikon D610 + Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S)

An interesting place to work. (Nikon D610 + Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S)

Parked at Blanca Piedra.

Parked at Blanca Piedra.

Agroaereo gives all their aircraft names. This is the Alpha Male, "Macho Alfa". Ex N279MJ

Now seen in her new colours. She is now called "El Juez", which translates in "the judge

Parked at Blanca Piedra.

Agroaereo gives all their aircraft names. This is the Alpha Male, "Macho Alfa". Ex N279MJ

Ex N40055.

Ex ZS-LEF