Ten years ago, Disney released Planes on Aug. 9, 2013 to great fanfare in the aviation industry, particularly agricultural aviation. The movie has grossed $240.2 million worldwide since it was released. The animated comedy adventure features a cast of colorful aviation characters, including Dusty Crophopper, a big-hearted ag plane with even bigger dreams of competing in a high-flying air race around the world.

 

Planes was great public relations for the industry to highlight aerial applicators and the agricultural aviation industry. Exposing a legion of kids and adults to the skill and sheer “wow factor” aerial applicators display is publicity that would be impossible for NAAA to buy.

 

The industry and NAAA saw the wow factor after the real-life Dusty Crophopper attended several airshows in North America, including AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. Disney hired Texas-based aerial applicator Rusty Lindeman to play the role of Dusty in air show performances. Lindeman customized his Air Tractor to match Dusty’s paint scheme. As part of the aerial application industry’s 100th anniversary, thanks to a donation arranged by NAAA on behalf of owners Rusty and Lea Lindeman, the real-life replica of Dusty has now become part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

 

The sequel, Planes: Fire & Rescue was released on July 18, 2014, which has grossed $147 million worldwide since it was released. 

  

 

Rusty Lindeman's Air Tractor 301 Outfitted to be the character of Dusty Crophopper.