Fertilising at Aultmore Forest, Morayshire
Photograph courtesy of Jean Christie, Pitfour
The Hiller Helicopter of Management Aviation, Cambridge piloted by Peter Schofield takes off with a loaded fertiliser bucket from a site in Aultmore Forest. The pilot is guided by a marshal standing in front as well as using a large mirror fitted to the front of one of the skids. Note the canvas cover weighted down by fence posts and strainers to keep it from flying up into the helicopter rotors.
The loading team from Aultmore Forest are standing back while the helicopter is on site and as soon as it goes they man handle the half hundred weight bags, slit them and pour the contents into the fertiliser bucket through a metal sieve to take out large objects and wet lumpy fertiliser that would block the hopper spinner. The hopper would take about 12 bags – 6 hundred weights and if spreading site was close by the helicopter would return in about two minutes. Hard, dirty, dusty work with fertiliser blown about in wind and helicopter down draught.
Groups: Aircraft in Forestry Work, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Northeast Scotland