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About Us
Rivers Air Spray was founded in 1998 by John Lepp of Rivers, Manitoba. He grew up farming but always dreamed of flying. In 1988 he started his private pilot's licence. After a few years of flying privately he wanted more flight time and he had always been intrigued by spray planes. Rivers Air started when he purchased a M-18 Dromader and hired a pilot. After their first season, John completed his commercial license, and he went to Georgia, USA to get his Ag ticket. In 2000 he started flying the Dromader himself. In 2004 he entered into a partnership with Mike of Roland Air Spray and Paul of K.B.W Aviation, together they purchased the Air Tractor 802F for fighting fires in Manitoba. He eventually bought out his partners who have remained lifelong friends and continued to work for the MB government's SEAT program until they privatized the fire fighting program in 2018. In 2018 John took his turbine transition training so he could fly the 802F. The ground crew is run by his two daughters, Cassandra and Stefanie. John's love for aviation is contagious and if you are lucky enough to catch him on the ground during fungicide season, he is quick to share his knowledge and passion with anyone.
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2020
CAAA Pilot Of The Year
Every year the Canadian Aerial Applicators Associations presents the Pilot of the Year award to an active member "who is a pilot with more than 5 years experience and has demonstrated dedication and professionalism throughout their career as an agricultural or forestry pilot." John won the CAAA Pilot of the Year in 2020. It was a night he won't soon forget and an award he is incredibly proud of. He has dedicated much of his career to aerial application, helping to develop the SEAT program fighting fires in Manitoba and sending his plane on forestry contracts. Aviation is who he is and his love for it is vast and not limited to agriculture. He has inspired more than one young pilot to get their wings. He is continuously learning and growing as a pilot and we, his ground crew, are so proud he was recognized within the industry for what he loves the most, flying.
