| Airplanes are an efficient tool for dispersing adulticides,
which provide immediate control of flying adult mosquitoes. In the
past, Hillsborough County Mosquito and Aquatic Weed Control operated
two DC-3 airplanes for this purpose. A large, sturdy airplane, the
DC-3 was for many years the “workhorse” of mosquito control
organizations around the country. As the aircraft aged, however, and
maintenance became more difficult and costly, it became necessary
to find replacement aircraft. Smaller planes, such as the Piper Aztec
and the Beech Baron have been increasingly pressed into service, yet
do not quite meet the power and load-carrying capacities desired for
the mission.
In search of the perfect mosquito control adulticide application
aircraft, Hillsborough County Mosquito and Aquatic Weed Control
turned to the King Air C90 twin turbine-engine airplane.
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With 1100 pounds shaft horsepower from two Pratt and Whitney PT6A
engines, the King Air C90 has a useful load of nearly 4,000 pounds.
Even fully loaded to its maximum capacity of 9,650 pounds, the aircraft
is capable of climbing at well over 500 feet per minute on one engine
in event of an engine failure. Since spray missions are often conducted
over congested areas with no emergency landing sites, this is an
extremely important feature.
Although the King Air is capable of cruising at over 235 mph, and
has a range of over 1,000 miles, it’s primary mission will
be to fly at 160 miles per hour, 200 to 300 feet above ground level
dispensing an Ultra Low Volume (ULV) pesticide here in Hillsborough
County.
In order to more accurately target pest-infested areas, the airplane
will be equipped with the Wingman Agricultural Navigation System,
and the Airborne Instant Meteorological Measuring System (AIMMS).
Using software modeled from comprehensive ULV droplet dispersal
studies and wind velocity, air pressure, temperature and humidity
data provided continuously by the AIMMS, the Wingman will be able
to give the pilots precise guidance as to where to release the pesticide
in order for it to drift down into the desired site. The state-of-the-art
high pressure spray system being built for the aircraft uses specialized
“impingement” nozzles which shatter the droplets into
a uniform, micro-fine spray as the pesticide exits the tank.
Combining more efficient use of pesticide with higher volume and
capacity will give us the capability to respond immediately and
decisively to an outbreak of mosquito-borne illness in Hillsborough
County. Should the need arise, this new Mosquito Control airplane
will be able to treat the entire county in just four to five nights
of adulticide spraying!
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