Bradley Wright was a pilot, aviation mechanic and flying farmer with a dream of operating a cropdusting business. The beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend passed on Aug. 21, 2024, doing what he loved, flying planes.
In honour of his long time friend and business partner, Marwayne-area farmer and pilot Garth George turned Wright’s dream into a reality with Bradley Airspray Ltd.
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Based out of the Lloydminster Municipal Airport, Bradley Airspray is excited to open the doors and welcome the community to the official grand opening.
“We’re an aerial application service providing for Lloydminster, Wainright, Vermilion and the Maidstone area,” said George, who owns and operates the business with his wife, Courtney. “Courtney’s other job is with AgTek 360, which is full application and fertilizer.”
“We do full things, too, but that aspect of AgTek 360 fits really well with Bradley Air because we can put our products through the airplane,” added Courtney, who’s also an agronomist.
As a farmer, George, who’s been flying for most of his life, explained he saw a need for aerial application in the field due to things like wheel tracks.
“My friend Brad Wright started the business. It kept growing, which is when he came to me and said, ‘You need to start flying.’ I started flying and it was going really good. Then, we had that unfortunate wreck last year,” he said of Wright’s passing.
After the crash, George kept Wright’s business, Bright Aviation, going to fill the void and keep up with existing clientele.
“Brad’s wife, Chesney, is working with us on Bradley Airspray and
supports what we’re doing,” echoed the couple, noting the business is now a fully certified operation.
“Before this, we were what you call ‘flying farmers,’ doing little areas here and there, helping neighbours out,” said George. “Now, we’re fully licensed commercial applicators and can provide service anywhere we’d like through Transport Canada.”
For the Georges, aerial application makes sense for several reasons.
“We have one gentleman in Paradise Valley who explained sprayers are so expensive to buy and maintain, so he likes using us half the time to make his equipment last longer,” said George. “The cost of equipment is one thing, but wheel tracks are another thing to consider. If you’re losing one to two per cent due to wheel tracks, that could be a bushel of canola.
“It’s less intrusive and there’s less tracks. Guys also say their combine heads, which are so big these days, don’t have to adjust when there’s no wheel tracks. It’s just a smooth field the whole way.”
The couple also noted the warm welcome they received from the City of Lloydminster as a commercial operator at the airport.
“They’ve rolled out the red carpet for us. The city, the mayor, Wade Frasz, the airport manager, they’ve been awesome,” said George. “Starting this would have been tough in a city that was working against you. Everyone’s been great.”
Bradley Airspray’s official public grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 18. The Georges ask those planning to attend to text 780-205-7767 ahead of time so they know how much food they need.
“Please come check it out and see what we’re about. Our two other pilots will be here to answer any questions. We want the community to know who we are and what we’re doing,” said George, noting there’s a stigma around yellow
airplanes.
“People are scared of the planes and think we’re spraying dangerous
chemicals that will hurt them,” he said. “We’re an open door and have invested a lot of time and energy into making sure we have the right tools to do things properly and safely.”
Bradley Airspray’s hangar is located on the northwest corner of the airport.
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