Air Tractor At-402

Single Turboprop· 180 globally registered

The Air Tractor AT-802 is a purpose-built agricultural aircraft that has become the workhorse of modern aerial application worldwide since its introduction in 1990. Manufactured in Olney, Texas, this single-engine turboprop was designed from the ground up for low-altitude, high-load operations: crop dusting, firefighting, and utility work that demands ruggedness over refinement. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67AG producing 1,350 shaft horsepower, the AT-802 can haul up to 800 gallons of liquid or 5,000 pounds of dry product in its massive hopper, making it one of the largest and most capable ag-planes ever built. What sets the AT-802 apart is its versatility beyond the farm. The type has found a second career as an aerial firefighting platform (the Fire Boss variant can scoop 800 gallons from lakes and rivers in under 15 seconds without landing) and even as a light attack aircraft in military service abroad. Its rugged steel-tube fuselage, corrosion-resistant construction, and ability to operate from short, unpaved strips make it ideal for harsh environments where maintenance infrastructure is minimal. The cockpit sits high above the hopper for excellent visibility during low-altitude maneuvering, and the aircraft's slow-speed handling characteristics (stall speed around 65 knots) allow precise application passes just feet above the canopy. Despite its utilitarian mission, the AT-802 cruises efficiently at 175 knots and can cover significant range when ferrying between job sites. The type's never-exceed speed of 210 knots and max structural cruising speed of 174 knots provide adequate margins for the demanding pull-ups and tight turns that define ag-flying. Over three decades in production, Air Tractor has delivered hundreds of AT-802s to operators on six continents, cementing its reputation as the gold standard for turbine agricultural aviation. SkyMeter has tracked 627 flights across 36 airframes and 32 operators, with POLRIES LARRY J the largest observed operator.