Bush Flying Help

[rjdreamer]

Any tips or thoughts on how to get into "Bush Flying"? Any specific companies to look up or other web sites to check out. Preferably warmer climes than Alaska or Canada, but one can't be too choosey! Many thanks to all.
RJD
PS Guess that could mean the little yellow planes!! Couldn't resist

 

[MTpilot]

Try McCall Idaho.

 

[ORFflyer]

I can't help you with job leads, but you might want to check out http://www.fepco.com/Bush_Flying.html His "Guide to Bush Flying" is a fun book, I read it years ago when he had the entire contents posted on line. Good luck.

 

[Goose Egg]

Any tips or thoughts on how to stay out of bush flying or other sketch-ball ops? It'd be cool if the next job I had involved burning jet A.

-Goose

 

[moxiepilot]

i also think AOPA did an article on bush flying this month. they might have some resources to look into

 

[avbug]

Any tips or thoughts on how to stay out of bush flying or other sketch-ball ops?

What exactly is a "sketch-ball op?"

Any advice on how to avoid flying back-country? Yes. Don't do it. Simple. Done deal.

A good back country is worth his weight...whatever you might think, it's a profession, not a fly-by night wasteland that you're forced into because you're unwilling to do something else. You may not have considered this, but did you stop to think that you may not be qualified?

 

[Rick1128]

Being a retired 'Bush' pilot, I will pass on some tips.

1. Always have a way out.

2. Absolutely always have a way out.

3. Absolutely, Positively always have a way out.

While it may seem somewhat redundent, I have seen way too many young pilots with the ink still wet on their 'float rating' try to do some of the things that they have seen the 'Bush' pilots do. They run out of altitude, airspeed, power and ideas at all about the same time. The guys you see doing some of these things have been flying that aircraft and in that area for many years. And when I say that aircraft, I do not mean that type, I mean THAT aircraft. They can generally tell you how much the aircraft weights by how it feels. They are very much it tuned with the aircraft.

As a pilot you have to be willing to go where the jobs are. Especially as a 'Bush' pilot.

Some other rules to help keep you out of trouble and in one piece.

1. Don't let your ego write checks your body can't cash.

2. Don't let your mouth overload your a$$.

3. Be humble.

4. Pride is cheap, your body is not.

 

[imacdog]

Have a look at San Juan Airlines and Island Air in Washington State; very good flying experiences there.

 

[TurboS7]

Why bush pilot when you can have a nice cushy job here in the Lower 48 flying a nice regional airlines with a nice schedule Wear a pretty uniform and rub noses with some wonderful FA's and passengers.

 

[rchcfi]

You can also try flyalaska.net. It is a plethera of information, but only on bush operators in Alaska, hence the title.

I had the best time of my life up there! But yes, heed the words of everyone else here. Never take chances up there or you WILL become a statistic.

Cheers!

 

[rchcfi]

Turbo,

I hope you were being sarcastic with your post. There are many forms of pilots out there. And the purest of them all is the pilot that doesn't care what he is flying.

Pilots who need epulates to feel important need to get a life! I'll defend my current position by saying that I am a big city person, so I couldn't see myself in Alaska for too long. But now that I'm gone, I miss it dearly!

Cheers!

 

[TurboS7]

Enjoy the memories. About this time a year ago I was in ANC. I called my wife all excited as it had been 20 years since I had been there. She said stop, the same thing I said 20 years ago stands today, either Alaska or me, you can' have both. It is a good thing she is such a wonderful wife or I would be installing some floats on a Cub or whatever right about now.

 

[sqwkvfr]

Any tips or thoughts on how to get into "Bush Flying"?

Well, you've got to get a pilot slot in the Air Force and go through a whole bunch of promotions...I think Air Force One's Captain is actually Colonel.

Also, be advised that by the time you make it that far, "Bush" will most likely not be the President.

 

[Goose Egg]

What exactly is a "sketch-ball op?"

...whatever you might think, it's a profession, not a fly-by night wasteland that you're forced into because you're unwilling to do something else. You may not have considered this, but did you stop to think that you may not be qualified?

Easy there, Mr. Bug. A little sensitive, are we? It was an attempt at humor... A failed one, apparently.

Anyway, in answer to the question: Am I, a lowly CFI with a 500+ hours and no tailwheel endorsement or floatplane experience qualified to be a mighty back-country flyer? Probably not. Is that a huge concern for me? Nope. (And yes, I actually had stopped to consider that. Don't let my youthful appearance and reversed baseball cap fool you.) Why, you ask? Because that's not what excites me about flying, that isn't my trip. Actually, I am willing to tolerate a little sketch--if I have to do the freight dog thing in the ice at night, I will. I actually think it would be fun... but then again, I have a perverse view of that sort of thing anyway.

Sorry to kindle your mighty wrath, av.

-Goose

 

[2Green]

You're right on, Rick. Do I know you?

McCall, Idaho, the Bush?

RJD...You may hate every job afterwards. But then again, as an rjdreamer, maybe not.

 

[Launchpad]

Take the advice of Rick1128... Always leave yourself an out.

 

[mar]

Bush flying in warmer climes?

Geeze. If I were gonna fly in the Bush, personally, I'd pick colder climes---better performance first of all, and usually you don't get shot at.

If you're looking for Central America bush or African bush....

oh nevermind, I love puns too much to continue this in good taste...

Good luck.
And oh yeah, leave yourself an out.

 

[sbav8r]

Whatever the Bush, African, South American, or Alaskan; don't just leave yourself an out, be sure to pull out!