Bush Piloting

C

Clipper5895h

New Member
Since I'm nearing my college graduation date this upcoming semester, I am obliged to start considering pilot employment options. Since I'm dreading the days of being the clique CFI pattern flyer in Cessna 150/172 as stepping stones to the big boys, an alternative idea popped into my head. I was wondering if anyone knows the ins and outs of what it takes to become a bush pilot. Right now I'm coming up on 500TT with about 250TT in taildraggers. Is that enough to get started into this industry? What's my next step to take or is it even possible? Thanks
 
Clipper5895h said:
Since I'm nearing my college graduation date this upcoming semester, I am obliged to start considering pilot employment options. Since I'm dreading the days of being the clique CFI pattern flyer in Cessna 150/172 as stepping stones to the big boys, an alternative idea popped into my head. I was wondering if anyone knows the ins and outs of what it takes to become a bush pilot. Right now I'm coming up on 500TT with about 250TT in taildraggers. Is that enough to get started into this industry? What's my next step to take or is it even possible? Thanks
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Best bet is to move up to Alaska and work at a flight school to start building up some Alaska time. I doubt that anyone will hire you directly to the bush up there unless you have some time in the state.


Our charter company does quite a bit of bush flying for the government here in the rockies (if you want to call that bush flying) mostly shooting and tracking animals, survey work for habitats, and transporting wild animals and meat out of the mountains etc. But every company I know up (in the lower 48) that does that type of flying requires 1200 hours unless you know the right guy it may be possible to get a VFR only position. Im not sure about Alaska, there are quite a few guys from up there that will probably chime in.

You cant go wrong flight Instructing regardless.
 
Clipper5895h said:
Since I'm nearing my college graduation date this upcoming semester, I am obliged to start considering pilot employment options. Since I'm dreading the days of being the clique CFI pattern flyer in Cessna 150/172 as stepping stones to the big boys, an alternative idea popped into my head. I was wondering if anyone knows the ins and outs of what it takes to become a bush pilot. Right now I'm coming up on 500TT with about 250TT in taildraggers. Is that enough to get started into this industry? What's my next step to take or is it even possible? Thanks
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Look into the National Park Service in Alaska. At the end of winter every year I get a group of those guys down for recurrent training. They're the real deal. They use Scouts, Huskys, Super Cubs, Skywagons etc... Land on glaciers, Sandbars, Tundra... It will help to have a seaplane rating though. I'm even considering heading up there if things don't work out down here for me.

Dont be too worried about being a CFI and having to bore holes in the sky in a Cessna product.... It is what you make of it. Having a closed mind will just restrict your opportunities. If it hadn't been for C150s I wouldn't work where I do today, where I became a tailwheel instructor, which got me the chance to teach a private student in a Scout out of his 800ft dirt strip... In the middle of Southern California no less... Just get a teaching job, and fly whatever you can get our hands on.
 
Clipper5895h said:
Since I'm nearing my college graduation date this upcoming semester, I am obliged to start considering pilot employment options. Since I'm dreading the days of being the clique CFI pattern flyer in Cessna 150/172 as stepping stones to the big boys, an alternative idea popped into my head. I was wondering if anyone knows the ins and outs of what it takes to become a bush pilot. Right now I'm coming up on 500TT with about 250TT in taildraggers. Is that enough to get started into this industry? What's my next step to take or is it even possible? Thanks
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Not unless that 500 has been in Alaska.

If you don't want to cfi, there's always banner tow, skydive, pipeline, survey, etc etc that hire low time pilots. The tow places would probably like your tail time.
 
Most of the bush operators are operating nose wheel airplanes. I've got a few hours of tailwheel myself and have yet to use it working in Alaska beyond instructing. Seems like most of the guys flying tailwheel out here want some pretty serious off airport experience to go with it. A good bet for you would be instructing in Alaska to get that Alaska time up. Just being up here in person to look for jobs will help tremendously. Right now its not going to be easy to walk into something with 500TT from outside. I would think about heading on up, being a CFI, building some Alaska time, and of course networking a bit. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
 
I agree with everything said above.

Most of the "bush" planes are the 207, Cherokee 6 etc. Honestly, as much as I love tailwheels, I'm happy that I dont have to try to land a 180 on a icy runway at night in 30kt winds.

Alaska time is worth much more than tailwheel or lower 48 total time for the bread and butter bush jobs. If you can afford it, rent or borrow a plane and get out and experience Alaska flying and get some experience flying in MVFR. Instucting out of Anchorage would also be a good way to start networking while building AK time.

I as well strongly advise heading north to apply in person if you really want to fly up here, and you will need AK time. When I was hired into my first VFR 135 "bush" job, each new hire in my class had at least a few hundred AK hours, were not CFI's and talked to someone in person before being offered a job. We didn't even fill out the application until ground school.

Clipper, another thing you need to ask yourself is why do you want to fly in the bush? It is very hard and somewhat dangerous work. You will be in -20 temp all day, have sick people in your plane, load thousands of pounds of boxes a day, fly on instruments in perfectly legal VFR because you cant see a horizon and pee outside in -20 degree temps in winter, and pee outside in a cloud of hungry mosquitos in summer.

I've always wanted to fly in AK but, if you haven't been here, research what you will be getting yourself into and make sure it is for you.
 
I know a couple people that have gotten a job with 500 hours in Alaska, but they were in the right place at the right time. Like everyone has said....go to Alaska and network...work on the ramp, CFI, or work on the dock for a float plane company. If potential employers have met you in person (or you work for them in a non flying job) they are a lot more likely to give you a chance if they feel like they can trust you.

There are a lot of people that have an Alaskan dream but the reality of flying and living in Alaska can be harsh.
 
Alaska flying isn't really about the flying, the flying is tough, gritty, dangerous, cold, dirty, and at times scary. The flying, while challenging, isn't really "cool" after you do it for awhile. Honestly, its a job. The best part about flying in Alaska is having your flying mean something; you provide a necessary service to a community that relies on you for its well being. Knowing all your passengers by name, and delivering them and their mail and freight into hellhole communities that America has forgotten except to occasionally exploit or abandon is what this is about. Flying in Alaska is bringing "civilization" and the modern amenities of life to Bush Alaska. Its something I miss very much, and brought satisfaction which will probably never be topped again.
 
ppragman said:
Alaska flying isn't really about the flying, the flying is tough, gritty, dangerous, cold, dirty, and at times scary. The flying, while challenging, isn't really "cool" after you do it for awhile. Honestly, its a job. The best part about flying in Alaska is having your flying mean something; you provide a necessary service to a community that relies on you for its well being. Knowing all your passengers by name, and delivering them and their mail and freight into hellhole communities that America has forgotten except to occasionally exploit or abandon is what this is about. Flying in Alaska is bringing "civilization" and the modern amenities of life to Bush Alaska. Its something I miss very much, and brought satisfaction which will probably never be topped again.
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All the NPS pilots I've worked with from AK love their jobs & living up there. A few were originally from AK, others transferred from the lower 48. They seem to have the best attitude toward aviation. They say how restrictive everything is down here. One of the "natives" couldn't understand why we just couldn't land on that empty beach down there... They're always a kick in the pants to fly with. With them, it's never make a power off approach and hit the numbers. It's where on the numbers would you like it?
 
Alaska45 said:
I agree with everything said above.

Most of the "bush" planes are the 207, Cherokee 6 etc. Honestly, as much as I love tailwheels, I'm happy that I dont have to try to land a 180 on a icy runway at night in 30kt winds.

Alaska time is worth much more than tailwheel or lower 48 total time for the bread and butter bush jobs. If you can afford it, rent or borrow a plane and get out and experience Alaska flying and get some experience flying in MVFR. Instucting out of Anchorage would also be a good way to start networking while building AK time.

I as well strongly advise heading north to apply in person if you really want to fly up here, and you will need AK time. When I was hired into my first VFR 135 "bush" job, each new hire in my class had at least a few hundred AK hours, were not CFI's and talked to someone in person before being offered a job. We didn't even fill out the application until ground school.

Clipper, another thing you need to ask yourself is why do you want to fly in the bush? It is very hard and somewhat dangerous work. You will be in -20 temp all day, have sick people in your plane, load thousands of pounds of boxes a day, fly on instruments in perfectly legal VFR because you cant see a horizon and pee outside in -20 degree temps in winter, and pee outside in a cloud of hungry mosquitos in summer.

I've always wanted to fly in AK but, if you haven't been here, research what you will be getting yourself into and make sure it is for you.
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Thats all very well said sir. I used to live in Broomfield and now fly out of Western Alaska, do we know each other?
 
ppragman said:
Alaska flying isn't really about the flying, the flying is tough, gritty, dangerous, cold, dirty, and at times scary. The flying, while challenging, isn't really "cool" after you do it for awhile. Honestly, its a job. The best part about flying in Alaska is having your flying mean something; you provide a necessary service to a community that relies on you for its well being. Knowing all your passengers by name, and delivering them and their mail and freight into hellhole communities that America has forgotten except to occasionally exploit or abandon is what this is about. Flying in Alaska is bringing "civilization" and the modern amenities of life to Bush Alaska. Its something I miss very much, and brought satisfaction which will probably never be topped again.
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All this time, I thought they were just cases of soda pop. (sarcasm)
 
ppragman said:
Well that's the funny thing, case after case after case after case of bleach and or soda pop and not a single tooth brush. ;)
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Hmm, maybe the lack of demand for toothbrushes can be explained by the very high demand of mouthwash? Haha
 
I guess it depends on what your definition of "bush" is. I learned a while ago not to get into a pissing contest with an AK pilot, but there is challenging flying outside of the great white north, and even outside of the mountains. When i came to work for my current company, i didnt even know this type of flying existed.

If by bush you mean ak flying, then i cant really help you with that, but if you're looking for a challenge and something different, then i can give you a different perspective. EX: This morning i landed in about a 2000 ft pipeline canal, over power lines, with a 25 kt tailwind, came up short of my tie up (a mistake) ran aground, had to pry myself out of the mud, spent 20 minutes trying to turn the plane around, hit the bank three times, finally got the plane turned around, put scratches on the wing tips, finally made my tie up, then the cleat broke off because of the wind, almost fell in, smoked a cig, loaded up, and did it all over again.

It might not be mountains, and im not trying to get into it about whos flying is the hardest, im just trying to open people up to different types of flying, because i didnt know it was ever possible to make a living like this until i was lucky enough to get a chance to do it.

Good luck :)
 
Most places will want 1500 TT, I have seen guys get on with 700 though with some Alaska time. It is both rewarding and tough work. You will get work that ranges from delivering soda pop (lots of it) to a random person bleeding profusely running up to you on the ramp needing to get a flight to the hospital. Prisoner transport flights to delivering a pizza, anything you can think of is done by aircraft.

Spring hiring is coming up quickly and a knock on the door is worth far more than a email.

Do not dread CFI work, I had a great time doing it and if the pay was higher I would probobly still be doing it. Dread the CFI paycheck.
 
cmill said:
I guess it depends on what your definition of "bush" is. I learned a while ago not to get into a pissing contest with an AK pilot, but there is challenging flying outside of the great white north, and even outside of the mountains. When i came to work for my current company, i didnt even know this type of flying existed.

If by bush you mean ak flying, then i cant really help you with that, but if you're looking for a challenge and something different, then i can give you a different perspective. EX: This morning i landed in about a 2000 ft pipeline canal, over power lines, with a 25 kt tailwind, came up short of my tie up (a mistake) ran aground, had to pry myself out of the mud, spent 20 minutes trying to turn the plane around, hit the bank three times, finally got the plane turned around, put scratches on the wing tips, finally made my tie up, then the cleat broke off because of the wind, almost fell in, smoked a cig, loaded up, and did it all over again.

It might not be mountains, and im not trying to get into it about whos flying is the hardest, im just trying to open people up to different types of flying, because i didnt know it was ever possible to make a living like this until i was lucky enough to get a chance to do it.

Good luck :)
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Man, that sounds like a rough morning. I hope you're throwin back a few cold ones tonight after that.:beer:
 
TwoTwoLeft said:
Man, that sounds like a rough morning. I hope you're throwin back a few cold ones tonight after that.:beer:
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hey, if all i did was scrape paint instead of bending metal, ill :beer: to that any time.

Having said that, i still would like to make it up to AK some day. We had a pilot go up there some number of years ago, and he called it quits when he kicked a tire and it cracked.
 
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