The Air Tractor AT-302, introduced in 1977, became the first factory-built turbine-powered agricultural aircraft, revolutionizing crop spraying operations worldwide. First flown in 1976 with a Lycoming turbine before switching to the more reliable Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6, it featured a low-wing monoplane configuration optimized for agricultural work. The AT-302 delivered a 20 mph speed increase and 75 percent greater hopper capacity compared to the largest piston-powered agricultural aircraft of its era. Air Tractor, Inc. manufactured the aircraft at their Olney, Texas facility.
View in Encyclopedia| HEX CODE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIGHORN FLYING CO LLC | 2001 | 402A-1135 | NE | A02C54 |