Aerial application fun but challenging

MOSES LAKE — The science and craft of aerial application requires close and careful attention to detail. The flying is challenging, but, said Fred Meise, owner of Northwest Ag Service in Moses Lake, that’s one of many components that must be considered. “We’re flying 150,160 miles an hour, three to 10 feet off the ground, with obstacles and power lines and circles – you’ve always got to pay attention to what’s around you, where the product is going and what it could affect downwind,” Meise said. Meise has owned Northwest Ag Service for about 25 years, he said, and has been in the aerial application business for 35 years. He estimated Northwest Ag treats between 400,000 to 600,000 acres of farmland each year. Pilots can’t waste time and fuel flying back and forth to the main strip, so Meise said he has nine to 11 airfields dotted around his service area.