PA1 spraying course
- Thread starter BenBhoy
- Start date
Yes, I did it, combined with pa2 (the tractor sparayer course).
Very interesting. Learnt a lot.
The written exam was multi-choice, and very easy. 100% correct answers achieved.
(I think the required pass mark is quite high though).
I did struggle a bit with the practical tractor sprayer test, because I'm not very good at mathematics or machinery. But it's designed to teach you rather than fail you.
Passed ok
Yes, there is a fair bit of maths involved. Make sure you take a decent calculator (maybe not just your phone) its all about working out volume/ strength for the ground you are operating on. It's really straight forward but initially looks a bit daunting.
For me the hardest bit is being consistant with your walking/ spraying speed.
There seemed to be quite a lot of maths in the whole thing, as far as I can recall.
I'd expect the leaves to rustle, wind felt on face.
I have PA1, PA2 and PA6, you won't be spraying with the PA1, this is the foundation course that teaches you about pesticides, herbicides, legislation etc, its quite bit to take in but also informative and enjoyable. Take your time with the math, I always remember talking to a young keeper who failed a few times, he was amazed he failed for being one decimal place out with the amount of pesticide needed, even when I tried to explain that depending on which way the decimal point was, he was either using a 10th of the amount or 10x the amount
Don't spray when it is windy (you can check your
flag ) for wind directionA slight breeze is preferable to flat calm though.Don't spray when it is windy (you can check your
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
PA6 in couple of weeks.
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
I've taken 42 years & im still shitê at it!!
I still use the template I was given on my PA1, can scan a copy and send it to you if you like
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
Any help appreciated thank you
shakey jake
Well-Known Member
Would you be allowed to use ai to work out the sums?
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
You'd think so because thats exactly what I'll do in real world.
Overlay
Well-Known Member
PA 1&6 + waterways
I found 3 parts a wee heavy but just needed practice.
calculating chemical v aqua for the spray test and calibration of your sprayer you must be spot on that and run out on crossing the line
I marked out a 100 sq mtr patch and measured using a mtr spray bar 100 square metres mtrs putting a small plastic flower pot every metre top and bottom and kicked them over as I went, providing you also gen up on the maths for the chemicals aqua needed - practice the mixing and sprayer calibration sums you should be ok
If you can go for the 1 & 6 + W that would be of a benefit long term
Good luck
I found 3 parts a wee heavy but just needed practice.
calculating chemical v aqua for the spray test and calibration of your sprayer you must be spot on that and run out on crossing the line
I marked out a 100 sq mtr patch and measured using a mtr spray bar 100 square metres mtrs putting a small plastic flower pot every metre top and bottom and kicked them over as I went, providing you also gen up on the maths for the chemicals aqua needed - practice the mixing and sprayer calibration sums you should be ok
If you can go for the 1 & 6 + W that would be of a benefit long term
Good luck
In the real world you’ll put 200ml of glyphosate in per 5l and fill up again when you run out.
Interesting course though, I did it 30 years ago and still remember quite a bit of it. BASIS registered dealers and that, is that still a thing?
I found the Pa6 easy enough but there were several of us on the course which makes it a lot less stressful if you're all learning together , the Pa2 was one on one practical test , which was a bit more daunting but not too bad. All the lads passed the Pa6 , I was the only one out of the group who passed the Pa2 , all the other lads bottled it when been put on the spot and were asked questions directly.They all had agri backgrounds and had been spraying for years. They knew how to do it but just couldn't get across in words how they went about it. One lad failed when asked how he got rid of his washings , the correct answer wasn't to open the drain tap on the drive home.
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