A SHORTAGE of pilots experienced in low-altitude flying may hamper the locust control effort this spring.
Australian Plague Locust Commission director Chris Adriaansen said state and federal locust control agencies had plenty of fixed-wing planes and helicopters available for aerial spraying, but may not have enough pilots to fly them.
Mr Adriaansen said the fluctuating fortunes of agriculture meant many experienced pilots had moved to other industries.
He said regulations enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority meant spray contractors needed to ensure their pilots had adequate breaks between flights.
He said the problem was the shortage of experienced pilots to fly while the regular pilots took breaks.
Mr Adriaansen said spray contractors wanted pilots with more than 500 hours of flying time, with experience in agriculture and low-altitude flying.
"We want people who know what they're doing," he said.
