Chuck Stone began his spraying career in 1948, flying a Curtiss Command Air biplane. Citrus was not yet a major crop in Florida, so most of the spraying consisted of vegetable work in the area. Over the next few years, Stone developed a loyal following and decided to go out on his own. He purchased a surplus Stearman for $750, put another $2000 into the plane to get it ready to fly, and started his business in Ft. Pierce. He flew the Stearman until 1969 when Piper was starting to build the Pawnee in nearby Vero Beach. They gave him one to test, so he flew it for several months and gave them his input. Probably ninety percent of the Pawnee improvements were made because of suggestions made by Chuck Stone. In 1976 , stone purchased his first Air Tractor, an AT-301, and liked it very well. Then in 1977, Stone visited the Air Tractor factory in Olney, Texas and decided to become a dealer that same year. Currently, the Southeastern fleet consists entirely of turbine powered Air Tractors. Piloting the aircraft are several equally experienced ag pilots who have all been with Stone for many years.