Bush Flying

Thats what I am thinking. I just don't want to go too early for the season. I'd go now but I know its way too early. And I know by the end of March everyone has been hired. So I narrowed it down to one of those three weeks. Last week of Feb to 2nd week of March.
 
The LOR though for Seaport has been a killer. 6 people have offered to do it and not one has come through yet. Grrrrr......
 
av8tr1 said:
The LOR though for Seaport has been a killer. 6 people have offered to do it and not one has come through yet. Grrrrr......
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LORs are a weird one. I, for one, never promise them as I'm not willing to write them for people I don't actually know decently well.

I know that's a very different story from most people, but my word means everything to me ... and someone I vouch must be someone I CAN vouch for.

-Fox
 
KKochan said:
I'm gonna bump this. I'd like to fly float planes (Beavers) and do bush flying in Alaska.. I mean eventually off airport stuff. Looking at going up there next spring-ish, current times: 800TT 300XC 350TW 100 instrument (8 actual hahah). Most of my TW is Super Cub. I can get the float rating this spring. I can also finish my MEL.

Who should I look into?

Edit: Right now I'm thinking PenAir, maybe Yute Air. I know Alaska time is important so I could get it with either of them. Curious as to if that's a good route to go, or if I can get into the stuff I want to do quicker another way.
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Penair is really the opposite direction from float flying, if that is what you really want. I think @Capt. Chaos is our resident float guy.
 
Acrofox said:
LORs are a weird one. I, for one, never promise them as I'm not willing to write them for people I don't actually know decently well.

I know that's a very different story from most people, but my word means everything to me ... and someone I vouch must be someone I CAN vouch for.

-Fox
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I remember taking the line on internal rec's that if the prospect didn't work out we would fire both people. Everybody that got recommend after that was awesome.



KKochan said:
I'm gonna bump this. I'd like to fly float planes (Beavers) and do bush flying in Alaska.. I mean eventually off airport stuff. Looking at going up there next spring-ish, current times: 800TT 300XC 350TW 100 instrument (8 actual hahah). Most of my TW is Super Cub. I can get the float rating this spring. I can also finish my MEL.

Who should I look into?

Edit: Right now I'm thinking PenAir, maybe Yute Air. I know Alaska time is important so I could get it with either of them. Curious as to if that's a good route to go, or if I can get into the stuff I want to do quicker another way.
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For floats your best bet is Taquan or Promech out of Ketchikan, but with cub time I would also check with 40 Mile Air out of Tok. Pretty much everything they do is off airport in 206's and Super Cubs. The only caveat with off airport work is that bending metal is just a mater of time, so if you have other aspirations down the line it is something to consider.
 
av8tr1 said:
Whats the best time to go up and make the rounds last week of Feb or 1st or 2nd week of March?
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Ground schools are already scheduled and candidates already invited for March at two of the companies with a long history of hiring low time pilots. If you want to be added to the list you need to be making the rounds right now. If you wait until Feb or Mar to make the rounds you will be lucky to get into a second ground school . . . if they have one.
 
alaskadrifter said:
Penair is really the opposite direction from float flying, if that is what you really want. I think @Capt. Chaos is our resident float guy.
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Yeah, I was curious if that was the way I needed to go to eventually get to float/off airport. But I would rather get into what I want to do sooner, if possible.

Capt. Chaos said:
For floats your best bet is Taquan or Promech out of Ketchikan, but with cub time I would also check with 40 Mile Air out of Tok. Pretty much everything they do is off airport in 206's and Super Cubs. The only caveat with off airport work is that bending metal is just a mater of time, so if you have other aspirations down the line it is something to consider.
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Thanks, and good point on the off-airport stuff I kinda figured that but it's something to think about.

Would it be better to get a float rating anywhere down here, or get it up there? Thinking I should probably have it before going up..
 
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Not sure where you are @KKochan, but I highly recommend Kenmore air North of Seattle. http://www.kenmoreairharbor.com/flight-instruction.html

I did my rating in less than a week paid by the hour and got it done for less than $1200 +exam fee. They have an on staff examiner. Was one of the easiest check rides I ever did. Nice guys. HIGHLY recommend! Give Ryan a call over there. He is the instructor who helped me out. Tell him Jack sent you.
 
KKochan said:
Yeah, I was curious if that was the way I needed to go to eventually get to float/off airport. But I would rather get into what I want to do sooner, if possible.



Thanks, and good point on the off-airport stuff I kinda figured that but it's something to think about.

Would it be better to get a float rating anywhere down here, or get it up there? Thinking I should probably have it before going up..
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I'm not sure it would matter where you get a float rating, however every operator I've given my resume to has said that Alaska time is important.
 
Island air in ADQ also hires periodically. They have a little variety in their fleet too, which makes life a little less monotonous.
 
KKochan said:
Yeah, I was curious if that was the way I needed to go to eventually get to float/off airport. But I would rather get into what I want to do sooner, if possible.



Thanks, and good point on the off-airport stuff I kinda figured that but it's something to think about.

Would it be better to get a float rating anywhere down here, or get it up there? Thinking I should probably have it before going up..
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I would have a float rating in hand before even applying for a float job. It's the quickest way to get your resume round filed. Taquan has also taken low time guys and had them work the ramp for a season before giving them a shot flying. But the seasonal tour model is also making it harder to find guys each year, so the odds may be in your favor.
 
I'd get one before you come up because right now all the fresh water is frozen. Break up to the point where you can use the lakes again can go until May.
 
Capt. Chaos said:
so the odds may be in your favor.
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But seriously, persistence is important in finding the job you want in Ak, and probably even life.
 
av8tr1 said:
Not sure where you are @KKochan, but I highly recommend Kenmore air North of Seattle. http://www.kenmoreairharbor.com/flight-instruction.html

I did my rating in less than a week paid by the hour and got it done for less than $1200 +exam fee. They have an on staff examiner. Was one of the easiest check rides I ever did. Nice guys. HIGHLY recommend! Give Ryan a call over there. He is the instructor who helped me out. Tell him Jack sent you.
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Thanks! I'll probably do that on my way up to AK. Unless I pick up some part time banner towing before I go, and do it in Florida.
 
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