Grumman G-164 Ag Cat

Single Piston

The Grumman G-164 Ag Cat is a purpose-built agricultural aircraft that became one of the most successful crop dusters in American aviation history. First flown in 1957, the Ag Cat was designed from the outset for the punishing demands of aerial application work: low-altitude maneuvering, chemical loads, rough-field operations, and thousands of takeoffs and landings per season. Grumman's naval aircraft heritage shows in the rugged steel-tube fuselage and fabric-covered wings, built to survive decades of hard use that would retire most aircraft in a fraction of the time. The G64T variant represents a turbine conversion, replacing the original radial piston engine with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop that delivers better power-to-weight, improved hot-and-high performance, and significantly reduced maintenance compared to the thirsty radials. This conversion extended the operational life of hundreds of Ag Cats and made them competitive with newer designs well into the 21st century. The type's wide-track landing gear, excellent forward visibility from the high cockpit, and docile handling at the slow speeds required for precision spraying made it a favorite among agricultural pilots. While production ended in the 1990s, many Ag Cats remain in active service today, testament to a design that got the fundamentals right the first time. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.