I recently toured a large banana plantation and I found some orange colored vertical banners hanging. Since they were really eye catching, I inquired from my guide as to what they really were, but then before he can make a reply, a small light aircraft made a pass and immediately we left and made our way to the field office.
While driving my guide informed me that it is never wise to be caught in the field when planes are making spray runs, because the pesticides are really toxic - some pesticides are even health hazards and proper warnings must be made so nobody can affected. Aerial sprays are necessary to rid the plantation of the dreaded sigatoka disease that could lay entire plantations to waste if not properly managed or the bract mosaic disease that could affect fruit yield.
While in the office, personnel were busy maneuvering the orange
signal flags to be in position for the next spray run. I was informed that this orange banner is run by battery-powered motors, operated by remote control and attached to strong messenger cables. And it is through their computer monitors that they can pinpoint the actual locations of each. Once these are on track, they serve as trajectory for planes to follow during spray runs.
To put the orange flags in position is really tricky, since three sets usually work together, one at both ends of the field and one at the center. These three orange flags must be aligned before the plane can resume the spray run.
Quite ingenious, don't you think? This is an assurance that no plantation personnel are out in the field once aerial sprays are made.
by:
The Flagman
