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Air Tractor in Olney celebrated a major milestone last week after they hit 5,000 airplanes produced at the production facility in Olney.
The legacy and vision of Leland Snow continues to this day as Air Tractor celebrates its 5,000th aircraft produced at the manufacturing headquarters in Olney.
Snow designed the first Air Tractor ag plane in 1970, with construction on the Air Tractor AT-300 in 1972 and the first turbine model introduced in 1977. The 5,000th produced plane, Model AT-502B, left Olney for its final destination in Brazil for purchaser Dorilino Prediger.
The aircraft will join three other Air Tractor airplanes at the Brazil aerial application company located in Sorriso in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
“Air Tractor airplanes have become an essential tool for us. They transformed our operation. It is a great satisfaction and a source of pride to be receiving Air Tractor aircraft number 5,000,” Prediger said.
A celebration for the milestone was held at the manufacturing facility Thursday, May 28.
“This achievement reflects the people behind the aircraft — the employees who build them, the operators who depend on them, and the dealers who support customers worldwide,” Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch said. “What began with the radial-engine AT-300s and AT-301s has grown into a line of eight turboprop aircraft because customers have continued to place confidence in the airplanes and the company behind them.”
Public officials, leaders and other members of the community attended the celebration and toured the production facility. Executives from Pratt & Whitney Canada, manufacturer of the PT6 turbine engines used in Air Tractor aircraft, present the company with a commemorative award.
“Delivering our 5,000th aircraft reflects the business strategy Leland Snow established for the company more than 50 years ago,” Hirsch said. “It is a vision centered on productivity, durability, and service to growers worldwide.”
