Air Tractor 502XP

The Air Tractor 502XP is explicitly engineered for agricultural operators who regularly face demanding high-density altitude environments and punishing summer heat. Taking the widely loved, nimble 500-gallon airframe format and pairing it with a massive power upgrade, the 502XP is a highly lucrative asset for competitive aviation businesses. When the mercury rises and the spray window shrinks, this aircraft delivers the extra performance needed to take off with a full hopper all day long without sacrificing safety margins.

By stepping up to the 502XP, you completely eliminate the performance penalties typically caused by hot weather or high-elevation airstrips. The aircraft finishes large crop contracts faster because it maintains exceptional climbing power and fast ferry speeds even when fully loaded. Whether you are managing intensive forestry contracts, treating vast crop acreages, or distributing heavy solid applications, the 502XP optimizes your daily operational flow, shortens your turnaround times, and ensures your business remains highly productive through the peak of the season.

Xtra Power Handling & Cockpit Ergonomics

The definitive feature of the 502XP is its advanced Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140AG turboprop engine, pushing out a commanding 867 horsepower. This injection of raw power gives the plane breathtaking performance out of the hole and unmatched agility over the field edges. The heavy-duty airframe features Air Tractor’s signature rugged steel fuselage structure and a widened wingspan, providing a safe, incredibly stable, and durable platform built to withstand decades of high-cycle aerial application.

Inside the cockpit, pilot comfort and situational awareness are elevated to a premium. The layout is meticulously arranged with intuitive control placement to reduce physical fatigue during long, exhausting shifts in the air. For modern operations utilizing advanced GPS guidance systems, precise flow controls, and integrated digital application technology, the 502XP cockpit functions as a flawless, high-tech workstation. If your goal is to conquer tough atmospheric conditions while keeping your operations fast and nimble, the 502XP is the industry’s clear choice.

Why Choose the 502XP?

  • Xtra Power for Hot Weather: Engineered specifically to handle full-hopper payloads during brutal summer heat and at high-elevation runways.
  • Optimized Payload Efficiency: Combines a generous 500-gallon hopper with a 5,608-pound useful load to maximize acreage covered per flight.
  • Advanced Flying Characteristics: Features a larger four-blade propeller and an extended wingspan for shorter takeoffs, superior stability, and exceptional field agility.

Technical Specifications

  • Engine Type: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140AG
  • Engine Power: 867 SHP @ 1,900 RPM
  • Propeller: Hartzell 4-Blade Constant Speed Aluminum
  • Hopper Capacity: 500 US Gallons (1,893 L)
  • Useful Load: 5,608 lbs (2,544 kg)
  • Empty Weight: 4,892 lbs (2,219 kg) with spray equipment
  • Maximum Take-off Weight: 10,500 lbs (4,763 kg)
  • Fuel Capacity: 234 US Gallons (885 L)
  • Wingspan: 52.0 ft (15.84 m)
  • Wing Area: 307 sq ft (28.52 m²)

Flight Performance Data

  • Typical Working Speed: 120–140 mph (104–122 kts)
  • Cruising Speed: 161 mph (140 kts) at 8,000 ft
  • Maximum Range: 570 miles (917 km) economy cruise at 8,000 ft
  • Rate of Climb: 810 fpm at 10,500 lbs
  • Take-off Distance: 1,215 ft at maximum landing weight
  • Stall Speed (Flaps Down): 74 mph (64 kts) at 10,500 lbs
  • Stall Speed (As Usually Landed): 55 mph (48 kts)