Alaska Bush Flying for Time-Building
12-27-2011, 07:55 PM
#31
Banned
Joined APC: Sep 2010
Position: Smuggler
Posts: 154
Alaska
I have been flying in Alaska for over 3 years now and for the most part I have enjoyed it. The winters can be a kick to the groan but the summers are awesome. Yes, it is true that more operators have turbo prop and turbo jet equipment today. The company that I'm flying for has many radial aircraft but we also have about 4 EMB-120s, 5 DC-9s (2 currently on the line), and we just purchased 1 or 2 MD-82s. So no, I don't think AK flying is a dead end road. It may not be a direct pipeline to FDX or UPS but I know it has opened doors for many and that it will lead to better opportunities for myself. In the past few months I know of several AK pilots who have put their time in and moved on to airlines of their choice.
12-27-2011, 08:17 PM
#32
Banned
Joined APC: Sep 2010
Position: Smuggler
Posts: 154
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
When I was in Alaska there was a saying, "you didn't loose your girlfriend, you just lost your turn". I have heard that the reverse is true in Southern California. Men seem to flock to places that are remote and danger filled while the gals like warm places that are well developed.
SKyhigh
SKyhigh
12-29-2011, 02:52 AM
#34
Retired.
Joined APC: Mar 2010
Posts: 413
By far the funnest flying I have ever done. I miss summer already...
Flew on the beaches out of King Salmon in 1983 using a C-188 Ag-Truck. Landed on the beaches and picked up fresh fish from the local "set-netters", got as many as 280 salmon in the hopper tank.
Flew the silver salmon season in 86 out of Tsiu River using a DC-3.
Started in Arlington (Washington State) filled up the -3 with tents, weapons, soda-pop for the eskimos, supplies and a Bobcat diesel 4-wheel drive forklift/dozer to load the fish.
Set up camp on the beach and flew fresh silver to Cordova whenever we had a good load. The F/O owned a C-180 we used for smaller loads...We could take 7000 lbs in the -3, less than 5000 and we used the Cessna.
After 6 weeks on the beach we flew back to Arlinton.
Here she is:
Looks a little a beat up, but was running strong..This one had the big engines, 1350 HP versus standard 1200.
Picture must have been taken some time after we returned the airplane: Missing an aileron. Wonder if she ever flew since that stint in Alaska..
01-02-2012, 01:56 PM
#36
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2012
Position: Left seat
Posts: 27
Originally Posted by Monguse
The FAA minimum pilot experience requirements to fly as PIC (pilot-in-command) under FARs Part 135 is 500 hours: Federal Aviation Regulation Sec. 135.243 - Pilot in command qualifications.. 100 hours of that has to be cross-country time, and of that 100 hours, 25 hours has to be night cross country. Most Alaska operators require a minimum of 1000 hours. There are a few who will hire at less than that, but none for PIC positions without at least the legal minimum of 500 hours. Most operators also like to see some Alaska time or equivalent (mountain time) and some time in type. This is probably an insurance requirement. There are occasional co-pilot jobs that come up which require only the commercial, instrument and multi-engine certifications. Penair is one of those companies, but only very occasionally do they have to settle for a new SIC (second-in-command) with less than 500 hours TT. They require a two year employment contract and you barely make a living wage.
It's definitely not for everyone, but for a certain type of person it can be very enjoyable and rewarding. And yes the fishhauling is a lot of work, but a ton of fun!
02-07-2013, 07:49 AM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 183
Depends on where inAK. The cost of living in ANC is not any higher than some lower 48 cities. Out in the bush is higher, but a lot of jobs provide housing out there and the pay (for pilots at least) is higher in the bush.
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