An agricultural aircraft is an aircraft that has been built or converted for agricultural use -- usually aerial spraying of pesticides or fertiliser. In this role, they are commonly known as "crop dusters." Agricultural aircraft are also used for hydroseeding. An aircraft is any machine capable of atmospheric flight. ... the plane is spreading pesticide. ... Fertilizers are chemicals given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil or by foliar spraying. ...

The most common agricultural aircraft are fixed-wing, but helicopters are also used. Autogyros have been tested for aerial application as well. Fixed-wing aircraft is a term used to refer to what are more commonly known as aeroplanes in Commonwealth English (excluding Canada) or airplanes in North American English. ... A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more large horizontal rotors (propellers). ...

Purpose-built agricultural fixed-wing aircraft are typically small, simple, and rugged. Many have spraying systems built into their wings, and pumps are usually driven by wind turbines. In the case of helicopters, tanks are placed on or outside the body of the aircraft, while a spray rig, extending outward to the sides, is attached well below the main rotor blades. Hydroseeding is often done by helicopters using tanks and drop systems much like those used for aerial firefighting.

See also

• Category:agricultural aircraft.