Low time pilot looking for bush pilot job.

[Sled driver]

Veedubpilot,

It has already been mentioned on this board but to fly Part 135 (VFR) you need at least 500 hours plus some other requirements that can be found in the FAR's. Alaska is a huge State (as everybody knows) so I am not an expert on all of the flying that goes on up there but in the area I fly out of... most operators won't touch you until you have 1000 hours. This is usually insurance driven from what I hear. A 100 hours +/- of Alaska time also helps out but is not really required. That being said, you can get picked up with less hours depending on the needs of the company and your skills. Like a lot of aviation jobs it helps to know somebody as well. I got hired into a C 172 just shy of 800 hours and then moved into a 207 a couple months later. The experience I have gained has been great. Flying in the lower 48 has been good experience for me as well. You can get slammed on this board but here are my two bits. Build up some hours any way you can. If you want to try Instructing go do that. It helps out a lot. If you want to build hours moving airplanes or towing banners...go do that. When you get over 500 hours if you still have a desire to fly up North start sending the resumes out. If that doesn't work try again when you get closer to 1000 hours. If that doesn't work, you are just around the corner from 1200 hours and more possibilities will open up. If you do get hired between 500 and 1000 hours be grateful and not macho. Start out slow...take it easy. The reason insurance companies like 1000 hours is due to the fact that there have been several 500 hour wonder pilots who bit off more then they could chew. Usually in the form of landing accidents/incidents. (I am speaking about the area I fly in) Some companies break you in slowly but others have a "can do" attitude. Short narrow ice covered runways with full loads, strong crosswinds, and ice leave no room for error or a "can do" attitude. Ironically a lot of landing accidents/incidents also occur with high time pilots who have flown up North for years. If you stay up North for a couple of years remember to keep your skill/limitations in mind and don't push them to hard. Good luck and excuse the typos.

 

[frog_flyer]

when you send someone an email or letter thanking them for an interview, be sure to say "I appreciate your time and consideration"

not appricate

n00b

 

[flyer31]

Check out this site (www.flyalaska.com). There is a small cost for the membership but it will be worth your while. Most of the Alaska operators are listed; their minimums and some info on their operation.
I flew for LAB in Juneau. They might not have the best reputation in the industry, but if you can survive the weather and a couple of other character building issues, you will be able to fly for most wheel outfits in the state. Alaska Time is a big thing for the insurance companies and LAB is one of the very few that will hire with no Alaska Time. It looks like you take advice well and that is always a huge plus.
There are two banner outfits in Myrtle Beach, SC that will hire with 300 hours, Sky Signs, and Barnstormers. They might already have their fill for the summer but it’s worth inquiring. Good luck.

 

[flyer31]

I tried the link with no sucsess. Just type it in as a web address.

 

[Frozen Ronin]

Ok, I've read some really good, honest comments trying to help our young aviator. Make sure you absorb as much information as you can, and filter it for garbage!

I am a ditch driver, and a tundra cabbie. Both good places to build experience. But don't forget that you are flying the public around, and that requires a little more time. Don't be in too much of a rush to find yourself in an airplane with three generations of a family members behind you, on an icy ramp, with low visibility (500-2 my *ss!) and the wind ripping accross the runway. Taxiing seems to be impossible, let alone the take off. What about an engine failure on rotation? Tire blow out? Grandma sounds like she has TB in the back, the baby is yelling, and the dad is probably drunk. You and your few hundred hours have proven the skill to put an airplane in the air and back again, without bending metal.... but what about this? This wasn't covered in training! Have patience, grasshopper. There is wisdom in the system. The knowledge you gain in your quest will reveal this wisdom.

Never offer negative without the positive. That in mind.... check out the ads for jump pilots, banner towing, flight instructing, etc. It could save your life. These experiences allow you to find your limits, get scared once or twice, and not have to scare everyone else in the process.

Lab, Grant, Scenic, King, GCA, Yute, Hagelands, Inland and a hundred even smaller operators are waiting for you to get your 500 or 1,000 hours. It happens quicker than you'd think. Drop me a line when you get your 500 hrs, I'll see if I know anyone that can help.

Good luck!

ps... the first 500 hours is the HARDEST to get. Have faith!

 

[Lownslo]

If you know you're gonna sign up for the Army, just go for it. They're not gonna give a rip about how much time you do or don't have. Prolly put u in a chopper anyways.
:beer:

 

[Sled driver]

Right on

Frozen Ronin,

Your post was right on. You must fly in Western Alaska. I was laughing so hard at your post I was crying. Grandmother with TB, baby crying, wind so strong it is hard to taxi, etc., etc. Thank God Summer is here. Of course...the passengers are the same but it is nice to have better w/x.

 

[Frozen Ronin]

Sled driver,
Amen to summer.... Where did spring go? One day I'm following the snowplow to the ramp at Hooper Bay, the next day the village floods out 'cuz break up flows and jams.... whatever. I had to paddle to work in a canoe that day, by the way. Guess I missed that part of ground school, where they told us the whole canoeing to work part. Again, whatever. I'd rather be in the air looking at the flood then stuck in the pilot shack watching it creep up the stilts!

Good to see another Delta Rat on the board!

Next chapter: Tundra fires and dove sized mosquitos!

 

[MTpilot]

I hear there is a beautiful woman behind every tree in Bethel.

 

[ASC-LLC]

You need (at least) 135 VFR mins [135.243 (b) (1) (2) (3)...
Suggest getting a SES rating, a tailwheel signoff and tailwheel some time... it will help.

 

[Frozen Ronin]

Behind every tree in Bethel....

MT, you are hilarious! We're all still looking for that tree, to be sure! They say if you bring your own good-looker, you're supposed to plant a tree!

Thank God for the hospital nursing staff...

Keep it outta the mud!

 

[LAMESAUCE]

how about any jobs in AK with someone with more time, say 1500/400 ?

 

[Sled driver]

Lamesauce,

With those hours you are golden! If you want a full time year round job that gives you 10 to 15 consecutive days off a month try Grant or Hageland. (If you work in Western Alaska you will want to have some time off to get away.) There are other companies as well that have been mentioned on this board.

With your hours have you considered some of the lower 48 operators? Some of the Caravan operators are lowering their minimums to 1500 or even 1200 hours. Flight Express is always looking for 210 pilots, Airnet and Ameriflight are hiring like crazy, etc. Just a thought. I have gotten good experience up North but it has been VFR not IFR! Best of luck.

 

[Frozen Ronin]

I just vacated a nice spot up in Emmonak! Ok, it is Emmonak. Maybe nice wouldn't be a good descriptor. Anyway, you'll be flying too much to enjoy the village.

 

[Beardedclam]

Be careful with GRANT! I worked for Grant years ago and I think it was a dangerous operation. It's ok to build some time and get out as quikly as you can. I still remember the dispatchers having tantrums if you had to turn around for weather. Emmonak is a real hoot to live in-you'll see should you decide to give Grant a try. I could go on but wont. The bush is a good place to get a start as a lot of people have went that route. No matter who you work for up in Alaska, they will all push the weather all the time. It's the only way you can get the job done. Good Luck.

 

[Blane]

Theres alot of jobs up here in Alaska for low time pilots.Try Haagelands,they hire low time pilots into the right seat of the caravan(they need it to fly single engine IFR w/passengers).I got my start up here with 300 hours,but you have to move up here before anyone will give you a break.
Good luck

 

[Sled driver]

Both companies are fine!

Hey guys,

I have worked for both companies and both of them are quite fine to get a start with. There are quite a few pilots who have chosen to remain with these companies due to their schedules and pay and/or they live up there. There are also a lot of pilots who get a couple thousand hours and move on. As far as dangerous and weather and all that stuff...the weather can be bad but the same goes for a lot of areas down in the Lower 48. C,mon...you get more ice in some States then you ever will in Western Alaska. Fog and wind can be a problem in other States as well. I never considered Grant dangerous. If the weather was legal I did my best to complete the flight. If it got to the point where I couldn't see the ground at 500 feet agl I tried a different route or turned around. (We are talking VFR operations) I never caught flack from the Dispatchers. Were they frustrated. You bet. They are trying to get pax and mail moved. They appreciated the effort though. As far as co-pilots for Hagelands...they are not required in the Caravan but if you can get on that way, it is a good way to go. The 1900 is another option. Both Hagelands and Grant like you to have around 1000 hours to be PIC in a C207. A lot of people have gotten hired with less though. Best of luck. Just my two cents worth.

 

[psysicx]

Did you ever get asked about logging SIC in a Van? And does anybody have any info on Frontier flying?

 

[Blane]

Logging the Caravan time is done through the company general ops manual.There are certain requirements to flying single engine IFR with passengers.One of them is you have to have a back-up electrical vacuum system and have auto-pilot.It's not a plane that requires an sic so you have to take a PIC checkride...(not a big deal).It's a black area but you will get some valuable experience and your foot in the door for a better job.
As far as Frontier goes it seems to be a pretty good company and they do hire low time pilots but you need to show up prepared they will weed out the weak ones

 

[highalti2d]

Listen to Sled Driver

Have a listen to sled driver, he's been right on so far. A couple of others as well, of course, but he's got the gist of it. Get the 135 VFR mins (my personal path was via skydiving for a summer) go out there and have a good time. I was there for a couple of years and had a blast. There being Bethel... fun flying good people, even found a tree or two in Bethel!

Gotta point out the quality of life issue though, you're building time, you want to go fly in the bush, and that's great, but it's not for everyone. If you like your Wal-mart, Kmart, payless shoes, Macdonald's and a drive through liquor store (or even just buying liquor in the same town that you reside in), and a paved road to take you there, you may not like living in the bush. It's not hard to live out there, but coming from the 48, it can be an adjustment. There's always the stories of the new hire showing up on the morning jet, only to have skipped out on the evening jet, or mysteriously disappearing after 1 week at work.

I'll also point out that in the Western Alaska way of things, twin time can be a little difficult to come by, of course, depending on the operator you work for etc. etc.

Important questions to ask before accepting the job, or arriving at work (including the obvious); Pay (is it a daily rate? is it garaunteed whether you fly or not? or by the flight hour with a base? or just a straight salary), schedule(2 weeks on 2 off, 20 days on 10 off, 6 days on 1 off etc.), jump seat availability and which specific companies offer it, company housing; is it provided or is it a housing stipend or partially subsidised? commitment periods for equipment offered (and the quipment you could be upgraded to)... that's about all that I can think of for the moment.

Good luck, always happy to answer a random questions about AK, particularily the Bethel area. You guys who are still out there doing your thing, get out of company housing once in awhile, enjoy your time out there, because I'm sitting here now thinking how much fun it really was up there, bar none. Of course, I'll be thinking of you all flying in AK this winter as I'm floating on my back in Caribbean waters....

Fly safe...