THE ANNUAL FLY IN

HFS hosts an annual fly in for aerial applicators in the Northern Illinois area to calibrate their spray systems before the season.

CHUCK IN VIETNAM

Chuck pilots the Huey during the Vietnam War.

FUNGICIDE SPRAYING

When the corn is at tassel, it's time for fungicide spraying.

THE WASP

The Wasp is fitted with rotary atomizers for gypsy moth eradication.

CHUCK HENDRICKSON

Even after over 40 years of aerial application, the thrill of it never gets old for Chuck.

NIGHTLY LOAD IN

Aircraft are pulled into the hangar at the end of a long, busy day.

LOADING UP

The Wasp settles on the nurse truck for another load as the Thrush flys by in the background.

THE FUEL LINE

During the peak of the application season, the HFS fleet will grow in size to more than 20 aircraft.

FROM THE COCKPIT

Ernie Smith circles above HFS before coming in for a landing.

VIEW FROM NORTH HANGAR

An airplane waits to refuel outside of the open door of the North Hangar.

INSIDE THE WEST HANGAR

The office team takes a late night break inside the West Hangar.

THE FIRST NURSE TRUCK

The first HFS nurse truck was built by Chuck and his team to more efficiently load helicopters during the peak of the season.
Load more

The turbine “Dromader” sprays a corn field southwest of Hinckley, Illinois

Ron Korth applies a fungicide and herbicide mix to a corn field north of Shabbona, Illinois.