Summer in Alaska

[HangerRat]

geez

Sorry Hangar Rat, but you are the one who needs an attitude check.

I've flown in Alaska and what TurboS7 said is 100% accurate. Those who are careful and smart and know what they are doing will do well up there. Those who are 'young whippersnappers' had better listen and follow those that have been there before or they will end up in a ball of aluminum on the side of a hill somewhere. I've seen it, and Turbo's right.

Unless you can point to a bunch of pages in your logbook that list out-of-the-way destinations in AK, reserve judgement for those who have been there.

HAL

I will call BS on that one HAL. I've flown in Alaska quite a bit, and yes, I have many "out of the way destinations" in my logbook. I have seen many of the ones who "have been there before" end up on the side of the hill along with the"young whipersnappers." Complacency and know-it-all attitudes will kill you very quickly up here.

I have always tried to know my limits and stay within them, and it has served me well.

You said those who are careful and smart and know what they are are doing well up here. Well, you said it, whether young or old, it is the head on thier shoulders and their judgement that matters most. Harsh generalizations are ignorant.

Don't get me wrong, most of the guys who have been a while are awesome pilots, and a lot of the new guys are puddknockers.

 

[TonyC]

Sorry Hangar Rat, but you are the one who needs an attitude check.

He needs a better spell checker, too. I think it's funny how guys that can't even correctly spell the building where one stores airplanes come on here and try to give aviation experts their comeuppance.













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[HangerRat]

He needs a better spell checker, too. I think it's funny how guys that can't even correctly spell the building where one stores airplanes come on here and try to give aviation experts their comeuppance.





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Ha! sorry, "HangarRat" was already taken! I think we all get the gist of it though!

"Comeuppance" LOL

 

[TonyC]

Ha! sorry, "HangarRat" was already taken! I think we all get the gist of it though!

"Comeuppance" LOL

I reckon we'll hafta letcha slide on that one, then.











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[TurboS7]

I have an attitude, wait a minute, read the beginning of this post. A gentlemen inquires about AK. He is retired he is willing so crawl, walk, and run into Alaska aviation. He has gray hair. A whippersnapper makes a comment that he has no business flying in Alaska, should leave the flying to guys that need to build time, and should just fly around in his Cub. I disagree, the secret to flying in Alaska is patience, a very good head, humbleness, and the ability to say no.The only reason I am not up there now is my wife will not live in AK. While living in the bush she had some bad experiences and will not go back.

BTW I don't have AK destinations in my logbook, I have GARDNER 1, GARDNER 2, BEACH 2, BEACH 3, GRAVEL BAR 1, GRAVEL BAR 2. Beach thing gets in your blood, I was walking the Marco Island Beach the other day, you could put a DC-6 on that with no problem. I always loved Egigik beach, like the JFK of Bristol Bay.

 

[HangerRat]

I think that guy might have been kidding.

ISA beach is cool.

 

[wrxpilot]

I have an attitude, wait a minute, read the beginning of this post. A gentlemen inquires about AK. He is retired he is willing so crawl, walk, and run into Alaska aviation. He has gray hair. A whippersnapper makes a comment that he has no business flying in Alaska, should leave the flying to guys that need to build time, and should just fly around in his Cub. I disagree, the secret to flying in Alaska is patience, a very good head, humbleness, and the ability to say no.The only reason I am not up there now is my wife will not live in AK. While living in the bush she had some bad experiences and will not go back.

BTW I don't have AK destinations in my logbook, I have GARDNER 1, GARDNER 2, BEACH 2, BEACH 3, GRAVEL BAR 1, GRAVEL BAR 2. Beach thing gets in your blood, I was walking the Marco Island Beach the other day, you could put a DC-6 on that with no problem. I always loved Egigik beach, like the JFK of Bristol Bay.

How does one get AK time if they are a "southerner"? It is possible to get hired as a CFI up there and build AK time? Would time from other mountainous regions (e.g. Colorado) be looked upon favorably? Sure seems like it would be a great adventure and excellent experience to fly up there for a few years.

 

[TrafficInSight]

Okay for a little different approach here. I'm a young whippersnapper who is interested in flying in Alaska post college. What can I do to kind of gear my training toward that? All of my time so far has been in California... not the most harsh climate in the world

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

The only reason I am not up there now is my wife will not live in AK.

DTB!!!

 

[mar]

All true.

...the secret to flying in Alaska is patience, a very good head, humbleness, and the ability to say no.

And lots of GAS!!!

Gas is GOOD.

VERY GOOD!

Fly smart.

 

[BD King]

And lots of GAS!!!

Gas is GOOD.

VERY GOOD!

Fly smart.

Assuming that you are not on fire.

 

[TurboS7]

Mar, guess you are spoiled now flying the 747, lots of gas, lots of gas, one way or the other. How are those crew meals?

 

[nosehair]

How does one get AK time if they are a "southerner"? It is possible to get hired as a CFI up there and build AK time?

Yep. That's exactly how you do it. Gettin' a CFI job there is as easy as it is here. You are basicly stayin' in the local area with students and gettin' out away from home base at your and your student's own pace and not being pressured into flying when the wind and weather are no good for you, and you are learning the mountainous terrain features which is the sole source of navigation, so you really need "some" Alaska time before you get too far too deep too soon.

And networking. Getting to know people and build trust. Airplanes are stolen at the same rate as cars in the lower 48, so you ain't gonna just walk in off the street and be trusted with the keys to the company's airplane.

 

[BD King]

Leave the jobs for the whipper snappers and buy yerself an old cub, old man[/QUOTE}

Disregarding any tirates, Vladimir's response was snotty. I personally have little respect for low timers with an attitude. By the same token, I have a great deal of respect for the 500 hour pilot who flys well, and can listen, and wants to perfect. One who wants to become a seasoned aviator. I said aviator, not pilot. ........Ernest Gann has the definition of pilot and that of aviator........Most of the youngters on this thread won't even bother to look up the difference...Most do not care. They do not have the foggiest idea of the history or how they came to be either where they are, or how they got there...............As for Alaska and the NW Territories, I have not flown there in the last 38 years. But the land and weather was a challange. I shall never forget it. I loved it........I will take exception to a **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** who has grown up with an airplane with an electrical system, with a nose gear, and a gps.........Sorry, I had to vent.


www.bdkingpress.com

 

[TrafficInSight]

My self righteousness can beat up your self righteousness.

 

[ClearRight]

There are operators up there who will hire without Alaska time. I got hired up there with about 800 hours without ever having stepped foot in the state. flyalaska.com is a great resource. It might be a little late for this summer season, but you just never know... good luck! Alaska flying is some of the most beautiful flying you'll ever do.

 

[TurboS7]

Awesome website you guys have to check out the pictures. Please note the color of the hair of the pilot-I stand behind everything I have said on this thread. BTW the neat thing about Alaska is that it looks the same from when I flew into all those places in the late 70's and early 80's. Now if I am lucky I get to fly into ANC, FAI and occationally CDB. Whooopeeee. the curse of big airplane flying. Just wait Mar that will start bugging you after a while too.

 

[PilotSkydiver]

I flew in Alaska on and off for about 2 1/2 years..
My .02

My Advice,

To All--- It's not the weather, or the terrain that kills in Alaska. There are no worse places in Alaska than in the lower 48 (colder...yes). It's the attitudes that kill in Alaska. I had a FED tell me to fly 1000lbs overweight as long as it was all gas.

There is always someone who will go... No matter what the weather, there is always some Idiot thats out flying. and you're boss will let you know that he is and you're not GOOD FOR HIM. I'll make 40 thank you very much.. If you fly 135 beware of the Post Office.. they probably have contributed to more accidents in alaska than anyone else. The Idiot who is flying will get your mail from time to time and that costs your boss money, hence he trys to push you out the door.

To the Old guys first time in AK,
You are smart and have alot of experince.. that's good, use it don't get pushed around and stand up for what you know is right. Every area in AK has it's own unique challenges. Be willing to learn from the "Whipper-snappers" who have been there for a while and NEVER let pride get in the way.

To the New guys and people who want to try out the whole AK thing!!
As one of the people in this catagory I can attest to the following: Be careful.. It can impact your carreer.. I was fired for standing up for my convictions and it has been a diffucult road trying to get a job post Alaska. I don't mean it to be a deterrent to you but make sure you do you're homework. That aside it was one of the best experiences of my life just go in with the right attitude and you will love it also

 

[TurboS7]

I once followed an experience bush pilot, who learned from his dad, and he learned from his dad, etc. etc. The weather was really bad so he said just get on my wing and follow me and do what I do. He got through the mountains by reconizing the rocks on the side of the hill. Forget a chart, if I had looked down once I would have plowed into the side of the mountain. We made it through no problem, but there are those that have a little Alaska experience and there are those that have it inherited since childbirth. Big diffrence. I am of the former and will never be like the latter, it is not in my blood.

 

[wrxpilot]

Yep. That's exactly how you do it. Gettin' a CFI job there is as easy as it is here. You are basicly stayin' in the local area with students and gettin' out away from home base at your and your student's own pace and not being pressured into flying when the wind and weather are no good for you, and you are learning the mountainous terrain features which is the sole source of navigation, so you really need "some" Alaska time before you get too far too deep too soon.

And networking. Getting to know people and build trust. Airplanes are stolen at the same rate as cars in the lower 48, so you ain't gonna just walk in off the street and be trusted with the keys to the company's airplane.

Thanks for the info nosehair. It'll be a nice goal for me to keep in mind.