PenAir in Alaska is getting ready to interview for the September ground school. part 135 and part 121 certificates. Fly a Cherokee six, Caravan or a Navajo in the bush or fly out of Anchorage in a Saab 340 or Metro and still be home every night.

Just a thought.

Is there a lot going on up there after Sept. in AK?

For every company advertising for CFI's, write to them and offer your services for...say...$40/hr. What do you have to lose? The CFI position is fast becoming a high value position.

My dad was an employer. He used to say, "Women get paid less than men because they will work for less." My point is, know what you are worth. Demand it. When you get the job. Earn it.

All things equal, I came back to Alaska and wondered why I had left? I had family obligations to attend to, but after that was satisfied I came back. I left behind an empty captain seat at a regional.

Do what makes you happy. If you need structure, planned out future and a ritual, find your way into an airline. I like to FEEL the flying I do, and do it myself... sans autopilot. I also love being outdoors in nature. Alaska was a no brainer, once I recovered from shiny jet fever and the promise of 2.4 kids in suburbia, I came back.

I say this even now, as a recovery mission is going on to pull a local plane out of a nearby lake. The pilot and passengers were lost, and they were doing the same kind of flying I do, day after day. Life is not garaunteed, you must follow what makes you happy.

Good luck,

Ronin

P.s. Flying the Grand Canyon can be done with few hours for a number of operators. That's how I built up my multi PIC time to go up north. There's a lot to learn in the ditch, and it's fun.

There's always a lot going on flying out of Anchorage. The bush ops. that I know of are short on people right now. Flying does slow down some in the winters in the bush, but the operators are still needing people. If you aren't sure about working in the bush, you can get on with PenAir or Frontier Flying and work out of the big city and fly to the hubs in the bush, and make your decision from there. Both of those companys have 135 ops in the bush as well, making for an easy transition. Those Frontier PA-31 drivers make a pretty penny too. Roughly 300 a day, depending on where you're based.

Navy,

I'm up in the great north and for the most part I'm enjoying it.

Frontier is hiring off and on all year long. The normal upgrade is 1900 SIC, to Navajo PIC, to 1900 PIC. Expect a year to a year and a half at each stop. I hear they just had a class start, so next one will probably be in a few month, depending on attrition and upgrades to the 'jo.

If you are really serious, stop by the hangar in FAI and ask to speak to the chief pilot. Sending a resume works, with frequent updating of course. Its about timing, basically, they realize they are short and fill the need.

And yes, you can make in the 45K range flying the 'jo in the bush (Aniak, Kotzebue, Nome, and Barrow). Most of the operators out there pay very well.

Feel free to contact me if you are allowed.

Checko

Ronin, who hires the low time guys around the Grand Canyon?
Who did you fly for and how many hrs were you hired with?
i'm at 275TT/ 60 MEL

Checko, yes, I'm serious. two questions.
whats FAI?
will they hire me at 275TT, 60 MEL ?

FAI = Fairbanks

You meet the mins. It depends on who else applies.

They'll probably have a class in Octoberish, me thinks.

The fax number and contact info is on their website. Currently they are advertising for a Navajo Captain, but the contact info is the same for the 1900 position.

Too bad we can't PM each other on this site, I'd be able to help you out a bit more that way.

Go here and look me up, would be my best suggestion. Its well worth it and the pilots are very helpful, especially for someone in your position.

Checko

I'd take a look at Scenic Airways.

www.scenicops.com

Checko