Remote Control Topdressing Loader

[The Red Baron]

Read about it but never seen it until I came across this clip on Youtube.
The obvious question is without a driver how does the loader get from airstrip to airstrip?.
Can't see a bike rack on the Fatman so the pilot doesn't cycle back to pick it up..

[Deane B]

I was at the Omaka airshow last year and I though the exact same thing. Sure you do without the loader driver, but you still need the vehicle driven to site. Not sure it would be very useful on a Fletcher with the hopper behind the cockpit.
But its still pretty clever all the same.

[Dave Homewood]

That is nothing, my Dad had a remote controlled Piper Pawnee.

[Dave Homewood]

From memory the commentary stated the pilot could not find a reliable loader to work with him so he built this so his wife, who knew nothing about loading, could drive the truck and the pilot did the rest

I wonder who loads the truck though? It's very clever engineering I must say.

[Peter Lewis]

There was coverage of this invention on television quite some time ago. Possibly on Country Calendar?

Yes it only works for an aircraft where the hopper is in front of the pilot, as he needs to see the actual loading process (Pawnee/Agwagon/Fatman et al).

My memory tells me that the invention was an attempt to reduce labour costs.

[lumpy]

Nov 10, 2010 19:58:29 GMT 12 Deane B said:

I was at the Omaka airshow last year and I though the exact same thing. Sure you do without the loader driver, but you still need the vehicle driven to site. Not sure it would be very useful on a Fletcher with the hopper behind the cockpit.
But its still pretty clever all the same.

I think the main advantage is you dont have to send the loader off in the middle of the night , only to get to the strip at first light and find its too windy , and drive back again . You just place the loader at the strip at your lesure ( presumably with the help of a mate / wife etc ) , the day before , then your all set to go .
Technically , it probabally doesnt save any "man hours "but it does mean the owner /pilot can also be the loader driver , which should save a small business money .