Business Rural North Winter 2021

50 | RURAL SERVICES » Rural Air Work • from page 48 Plane’s hazard identifying systems part of safety-first policy The application of fertiliser is fully automated on the Cresco II, leaving the pilot free to fly the plane. Quality Tractor Services 4 Coughlan Road, Waipukurau 06 858 8590 or 027 240 4848 qualitytractorservices@gmail.com qualitytractorservices · Repairing of all tractor & farm implements · Repair all Diesel engines · Make and repair all hydraulic hoses · Tractor restoration · Stockist of Valvoline Oil · Good range of Oil Filters in stock · Can supply tractor parts and implements to meet your needs QUALITY TRACTOR SERVICES ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT RURAL AIR WORK LTD We provide completed job maps to farmers so they can prove to a third party exactly where ferti- liser has been spread and how much was used.” Details on application areas can all be highlighted and mapped in advance before the plane even takes to the air.“With the Cresco II, the application side of it is fully automated so all pilots need to do is fly the plane.” Safety is integral to the company’s operations. Rural Air Work is a fully certified Civil Aviation Authority operator with safety management system- sthat meet new rules introduced in 2016. The com- pany has robust processes for identifying hazards and managing risks. Hazard identifying features in the Cresco II further strengthen the company’s safety first policy. Rural Air Work alsouses portable weather stations, attached to their loading gear, to accurately track weather conditions on site. “We have made a big investment in safety and getting the right systems in place for our team.” Rural Air Work employs four pilots with consider- able experience in the agricultural aviation industry. One is possibly New Zealand’s oldest top dressing pilot, 77-year-old Jim Fogley. Also on the team is New Zealand’s only female top dressing pilot, a local farmer who flies part-time for the company. Josh himself is a second generation top dress- ing pilot, who flew for another local top dressing company for some 14 years before founding Rural Air Work in 2013. “Our team of dedicated loader drivers make a huge contribution too and some of them have been with us since the start.” Over the summer months, Rural Air Work also supports Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) with fire fighting operations, as required. Josh and Suzie run their business from an air- strip on their small farm property at Otane in Central Hawke’s Bay. The couple are also busy raising their three boys, aged 5, 7, and 9 years. “When we’re not working in the business, we’re supporting our boys - who love their rugby – or taking care of our Angus heifers,” says Josh. OURMISSION Improved nutrient utilisation with more efficient products Improved farm production and profitability Improved environmental sustainability 0800 43 42 54 dickiedirect.co.nz