Bush Pilot training?

[elaine]

Hi,

Up to this point, I've done almost all my flying into flat paved airstrips in california. I want to try to get some instruction in bush piloting this summer, and it's been suggested to me to try to find a good instructor in Alaska and fly out there for a week or so.

Does anyone have any experience with this, or can anyone recommend some good resources/schools to contact?

Thanks,

Elaine

 

[NW_Pilot]

Hey, logging roads are fun places to start!

 

[canyonflyer]

Idaho is a lot closer, and has some amazing backcountry flying. There is a Mtn flying "school" in McCall, ID. I think it's called Mountain & Canyon Flying Seminar, or something similar. You can bring your own plane, or rent theirs (180hp 172).

 

[sleddriver77]

Hi,

Up to this point, I've done almost all my flying into flat paved airstrips in california. I want to try to get some instruction in bush piloting this summer, and it's been suggested to me to try to find a good instructor in Alaska and fly out there for a week or so.

Does anyone have any experience with this, or can anyone recommend some good resources/schools to contact?

Thanks,

Elaine

Elaine,
Maybe you should stick to paved strips in California. The question is: WHY do you want to learn "bush flying"? Are you gonna go up there and do it for a living, or are you just gonna go do stupid stuff in front of your friends on your mile-long paved strips in California? Consider this: For every decent "bush pilot" in Alaska, there are probably three total jackasses with a Cub on big tires who think they are, and will gladly charge you for "instruction." FWIW, I grew up there, and am familiar with both types. There are certainly folks up there who can improve your short and soft technique, and can teach you how not to rip the ever-living sh*t out of a prop on gravel; but there are also people (lucky people) who will show you how to do really stupid things in an airplane that you don't need to know for the type of flying that you do.
BE CAREFUL if you go up there. PM for more info.

Sled

 

[A Squared]

Consider this: For every decent "bush pilot" in Alaska, there are probably three total jackasses with a Cub on big tires who think they are, and will gladly charge you for "instruction."

Amen.

 

[elaine]

Maybe you should stick to paved strips in California.

What would be the fun in that??

The question is: WHY do you want to learn "bush flying"?

First and foremost, because it'll be fun. No I'm not going to do it for a living, and the times that I will actually ever need to land on an unpaved strip are few and far between, but I think the experience would be a good one to tuck away in case I ever do need to land on a very short or soft field for whatever reason.

Consider this: For every decent "bush pilot" in Alaska, there are probably three total jackasses with a Cub on big tires who think they are, and will gladly charge you for "instruction." FWIW, I grew up there, and am familiar with both types. There are certainly folks up there who can improve your short and soft technique, and can teach you how not to rip the ever-living sh*t out of a prop on gravel; but there are also people (lucky people) who will show you how to do really stupid things in an airplane that you don't need to know for the type of flying that you do.

Thanks. That's why I wanted to ask for recommendations here

Elaine