Albany, GA — In a significant milestone for both aerial application and crop protection in South America, Thrush Aircraft, LLC has delivered the first two 710P aircraft ever used in banana protection to long-standing customer CAAISA (Compañía Aero Agrícola Integral S.A.S.) in Colombia. CAAISA received their first 710P in September of 2024. The output and performance of the aircraft were such a boon to the company that they purchased and received their second 710P less than six months later.
For many years, CAAISA has relied on their fleet of Thrush 510P aircraft to protect thousands of hectares of banana plantations across the Caribbean region of Colombia. The introduction of the larger, more powerful Thrush 710P represents a new era of efficiency and operational reach in this critical agricultural sector.
With its 1,300 SHP Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65AG engine, the aircraft’s 710 gallon hopper enables extended spray runs, reduces ferry time and increases the number of acres covered per day.
CAAISA’s decision to incorporate the 710P into its operational fleet speaks to the trust built over years of partnership with Thrush and the aircraft’s reputation for rugged dependability and easy maintenance.
“We’re proud to support CAAISA’s mission to protect and sustain banana production in Colombia,” said Mark McDonald, CEO of Thrush Aircraft, LLC. “These deliveries mark an exciting expansion of the 710P’s global footprint, and we’re seeing growing demand for high-capacity aircraft.”
This specific dispersal system configuration, tailored to banana operations, takes advantage of the 710P’s stable flight characteristics and optimized spray pattern—ensuring that product placement remains even and effective.
CAAISA joins a growing number of operators worldwide who are turning to the 710P for its combination of payload, precision, and performance. Whether in agriculture, firefighting, or multi-role missions, the aircraft continues to prove itself as a dependable workhorse in the skies.
