THE CROP DUSTER - Jim Clayton takes safety seriously, chafing at his industry's 'death from above' image. Clayton, who's been in the business more than 25 years and has put in about 25,000 hours, said that sprayed properly - on a specific target with little wind - most agricultural chemicals should pose little danger to people.


Jim Clayton is true professional pilot and a heck of a nice guy. Too bad he looks more like a cop than a flier in this photo...I was trying to get a "wild blue yonder" look in his eyes but I think I fell short. We did this photo in a hangar among bags of agricultural chemicals, and used them to prop up the lights and background. The acrid smell in the air there leaves a strange, metallic taste in your mouth.