As older pilots retire, there’s a growing need within the ag industry to train and prepare their replacements. With his many years in the cockpit and listening to pilots, Leland Snow clearly understood the challenges associated with training new ag flyers, and he set out to solve them. The solution: the AT-504.
Based on Air Tractor’s proven AT-502B airframe and utilizing the same Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG turboprop engine, the AT-504 is a superior platform for aerial application and instruction, without sacrificing performance or flight characteristics.
Side-by-side seating offers significant advantages over the conventional tandem seat trainer, creating more natural and efficient conditions for communication and load sharing between the instructor and trainee.
The 504’s high power-to-weight ratio allows short takeoff rolls and impressive climb rates. Its 608-mile range and 85-foot swath width make it a cost effective business partner for operations of all sizes. The impressive working speed of the AT-504 equals that of the AT-502B. Its cruising speed is just a few miles-per-hour less. And the flight characteristics provide excellent preparation for trainee pilots moving up to the AT-502 or another turboprop ag plane.
The AT-504 was designed to meet the needs of a challenging ag business where a two-seat trainer must provide more than just performance: it must also make a profit.
