Up close and personal with Disney’s high flyer

The fact that he’s not really built for competitive racing doesn’t deter him from pursuing his dream, but his fear of heights just might. With a little help from his friends – and a World War 2 veteran – Dusty takes off on an adventure of a lifetime, going prop-to-prop with champions while daring to reach new heights.

What do you do for a living?

Dusty: I’m a crop duster. I help grow corn for ethanol. Dusting crops is all right, but when I’m flying back and forth across the same field each day, I sometimes imagine that I’m doing something else.

What is your dream?

Dusty: I want to compete in the Wings Around The Globe rally. It’s this big race I’ve followed on the RSN Network for years. Chug and I like to hang out and watch these amazing racers show off their speed and agility. It’s like poetry in the sky, you know what I mean?

Which racers do you most look up to?

Dusty: That’s a tough one. They all have such unique style and form. I mean, Ripslinger’s a legend. The Green Tornado! He’s won more races than I’ve dusted cornfields, which is saying a lot. Bulldog is a diehard. Tougher, younger planes can’t seem to beat that guy. El Chupacabra has more passion in his landing gear than most planes can muster in a lifetime. But I’ve always been a fan of the female racers. Rochelle from the Great White North, eh? And Ishani: she’s pretty … talented.

You’re clearly not built to race – how can you compete with top racers like Ripslinger and Bulldog?

Dusty: Maybe, just maybe, I can do more than what I was built for. Doesn’t everybody want that at some point? Well, they should.

I have a few tricks up my wing. My team, for one. Dottie, my mechanic, is the absolute best. She knows me inside and out. I think she’d prefer I keep it low and slow for health reasons, but she’s got my back when it comes to racing. Chug is the best buddy a plane can have. He’s been my coach for years, too, and some days he has more confidence in me than I have in myself. Then there’s Skipper. He’s this Corsair who knows more about flying than any plane I’ve met. He’s tough. Relentless, really. But I don’t mind, because he knows what he’s talking about.

Which leg of the race are you most excited to take part in?

Dusty: All of them. Iceland, Germany, India, Mexico. They’re like foreign countries to me. I hate to admit it, but Propwash Junction is all I know. Planes like Skipper, well, they’ve seen the world. I’ve never had the chance. Till now, that is. And I intend to soak up everything I can if I qualify for the race. I mean, when I qualify for the race – and then follow that by winning the race. Right?