What can be affected by the height of the aircraft during aerial application?

The height of the aircraft during aerial application significantly influences the drift of the pesticide. When the aircraft is flying at different altitudes, the wind conditions can vary, which affects how the pesticide disperses. Lower altitudes often see reduced drift because the particles are released closer to the target area, allowing for better control over where the chemicals land. Conversely, if the aircraft is at a higher altitude, the pesticides can be carried further by the wind before settling, leading to increased drift and potentially impacting non-target areas.

Other factors such as fuel consumption, loading time, and range of flight can be influenced by altitude, but these are not directly related to the effectiveness of the pesticide application in terms of drift control. Hence, focusing on the relationship between aircraft height and pesticide drift highlights an important aspect of aerial application safety and effectiveness.