Mosquito Control chopper crash highlights dangers of agricultural flying

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - After a deadly helicopter crash Thursday night, local aviation experts say the dangers of nighttime agricultural flying, including obstacles and spraying operations, leaves little room for error.Stanley Lee, with Sarasota Helicopter Services, has spent 21 years flying on the Suncoast. He spends his time flying and teaching in Sarasota. He said time in the air is the first lesson for new pilots.“You need 150 hours then you can go for your commercial. 250 hours you can go for your flight instructor but every time you fly you learn something because every flight is different,” Lee said.A Manatee County Mosquito Control helicopter crashed about 8:54 p.m. Thursday when it struck a private radio tower near Myakka City, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.The pilot, Isaac Moore, was killed in the crash, which sent a large fireball into the air moments after the crash. Intensity of agricultural flyingAviation journalist Tim Kenny said agricultural flying is